Air fryer meatballs are made with a handful of ingredients in just over 30 minutes. Perfectly browned on the outside and juicy on the inside, these meatballs are great for main dishes with marinara sauce, appetizers, and soups.
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Best Juicy Air Fryer Meatball Recipe
I’m back with another meatball recipe, and this one may be my most versatile yet! I love meatballs; whether they’re for an appetizer or main course, the meatball can do no wrong!
Making meatballs in the air fryer is such an easy way to cook them so they turn out perfect every time. Juicy meatballs that hold their shape are air-fried until cooked through and are never dry. The magic of the air fryer is that they end up with a seared outside and moist on the inside every single time!
Once you’ve got your homemade meatballs all ready to go, you can freeze them for later, smother them in a sauce and serve them as a toothpick appetizer like for grape jelly and ketchup meatballs, serve them in a bun as a meatball sub, or add them to a simmering marinara sauce and pasta.
You can make and use these for any recipe that calls for frozen meatballs too. I have used them for Hawaiian meatballs and these cranberry sauce meatballs.
Homemade Air Fryer Meatballs Ingredient Notes
Below is a list of the ingredients you’ll need to gather to make this recipe. Scroll down to the full recipe card for the specific amounts.
- Ground beef: I generally use lean ground beef (80/20) so they don’t produce too much excess grease, but since it does fall below the basket anyway, feel free to use what you prefer.
- Breadcrumbs and milk: The breadcrumbs help to absorb excess moisture, and the milk helps to soften the crumbs so they’re not dry. This helps with keeping them moist. Use regular or seasoned bread crumbs.
- Fresh garlic and onion: Finely diced onions and minced garlic are necessary for the tastiest, juiciest air fryer meatballs.
- Large eggs: These help to bind the meatballs. You’ll need to whisk them before adding them into the meat mixture.
- Fresh parsley:
- Seasoning: A simple combination of paprika, salt, and pepper is all you need!
Variations of Meatballs You Can Make
1. Season your meatballs to your liking. You can use things like Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, etc.
2. Swap the ground beef for ground chicken or ground turkey for leaner meatballs.
3. You can also use a combination of ground pork and ground beef for a different flavor. Ground Italian sausage works too!
4. Sprinkle in some Parmesan cheese into the breadcrumbs.
How to Make Meatballs in the Air Fryer
This recipe will come together in 35 minutes, from start to finish. Making the BEST meatballs has never been so easy.
Step 1: Add all the ingredients to a large bowl. I like to use my hands to combine and make sure everything is incorporated. It’s also the best way to ensure I’m not over mixing!
Step 2: Scoop out some of the meatball mixture and roll it into 1-inch-sized balls and place them on a plate or baking sheet until you’ve made all of them.
Step 3: As you are making your meatballs, preheat the air fryer to 375° F. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with nonstick cooking spray (olive oil or avocado oil are great for this). This creates a nonstick surface but also helps to brown the meatballs.
Step 4: Place the meatballs in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving about an inch of space between each one. You’ll need to work in batches so you’re not overcrowding the basket.
Step 5: Cook for 8-10 minutes. No need to pause and flip or shake; as long as there is enough room between them, they should brown evenly. Just cook them until they have an internal temperature of 165° F. Use a meat thermometer to test!
Step 6: Serve your batch of meatballs with a favorite pasta sauce like this pink sauce or marinara sauce over pasta with a side of garlic breadsticks. You can also use them in casseroles and soups, or as an appetizer with your favorite dipping sauce.
Tips
- Use a medium cookie scoop to scoop out the meat mixture before rolling. Having all of them the same size ensures they cook evenly.
- For larger meatballs, cook them for longer. For 1 ½-inch meatballs, add an extra 10 minutes of cooking time. For 2-inch meatballs, add 15 extra minutes.
How to Store Leftovers
Refrigerate: Leftover meatballs can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Freeze cooked meatballs: Freeze cooked meatballs once they are fully cooled. Place them in a freezer bag and keep them frozen for up to 3 months.
Freeze uncooked meatballs: You can freeze raw meatballs if your meat was never previously frozen. Do this by arranging the meatballs on a tray and flash-freezing them until they are solid. Then, transfer them to a freezer bag and layer them with parchment paper so they won’t stick together. When you’re ready to use them, you’ll be able to take as many out as you need at a time. Thaw before air frying as directed.
Reheat: You can reheat them in the microwave or the air fryer for 2-4 minutes until heated through.
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Easy Air Fryer Meatballs (Quick Homemade Recipe)
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef
- ⅓ cup breadcrumbs
- ⅓ cup milk
- 1 medium yellow onion finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley finely diced
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, add all of the ingredients and mix together. (I use my hands)2 pounds ground beef, ⅓ cup breadcrumbs, ⅓ cup milk, 1 medium yellow onion, 3 cloves garlic, 2 large eggs, 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon pepper
- Roll the meat mixture into small 1 inch sized meatballs.
- Preheat your air fryer to 375° F.
- Lightly spray the basket with non stick cooking spray or olive oil spray.
- Place the meatballs in the basket, leaving space between them for even cooking. (cook in batches)
- Cook for 8-10 minutes until they reach an internal temperature of 165° F.
- Serve warm with homemade marinara or your favorite sauce.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclosure
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation.
Elizabeth Starks
I don’t have an air fryer can I just fry them
Sherri
You absolutely can! Or bake them at the same temperature for 20-30 minutes or until no longer pink in the center.