Air Fryer Meatballs Recipe

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Meatballs are a fantastic option when you aren’t sure what to make for dinner. They are made even easier when you use an air fryer. Air fryer meatballs are fast and easy to make, require minimum cleanup, and you can enjoy them as a main course or add them to other things such as a plate of pasta or to some bread to make a sandwich.

Four Air Fryer Meatballs on a white plate with fresh parsley sprinkled over the top.

Meatballs are a great way to stock your freezer. You can freeze them raw or cooked (though, cooked is often the better choice), and then simply thaw them when you’re ready to make a fast dinner. The uses for meatballs are seemingly endless. Let’s take a look.

Ways To Use Meatballs

If you make a big batch of these and aren’t sure how to use them up, I’m here to tell you that this is a very short list of options, but a great place to start.

  • Spaghetti and meatballs
  • Meatball subs
  • Meatball sliders
  • Meatball pizza
  • Meatball soup
  • Meatball stroganoff
  • Meatball salad bowls
  • Meatball-stuffed peppers
  • Meatball tacos
  • Meatball stir-fry
  • Meatball curry
  • Meatball fried rice
  • Meatball lasagna
  • Meatball casserole
  • Meatball skewers
  • Meatball gyros
  • Meatball lettuce wraps or regular wraps

What To Serve With Air Fryer Meatballs

A good, homemade spaghetti is always a classic to enjoy with meatballs. Meatball sandwiches are always and options and definitely give you something different than the usually hamburger. You can also serve them as a main course on their own, or you can toss them into a casserole dish, top them with cheese, and serve them with some rice and a side of veggies.

Overhead closeup of four Air Fryer Meatballs on a white plate with fresh parsley sprinkled over the top.

Pro Recipe Tips

What You’ll Need To Make Air Fryer Meatballs

Lean ground turkey – If you prefer, you can use beef or pork, or a combination. Any ground meat will work well here.

Red onion – In a pinch, you can use yellow onion.

Green bell pepper – While this give a delicious flavor, you can use a red bell pepper as well if you want these meatballs to have a hint of sweetness.

Garlic cloves – Use large cloves.

Large egg

Whole grain bread crumbs – Panko makes whole wheat bread crumbs, or you can make some toast, let it dry, and then blend it into crumbs yourself.

Italian seasoning

Salt and pepper – To taste.

Ketchup – Us the no-sugar variety.

Sweetener – Use a natural sweetener such as honey, maple syrup, or a dry sweetener such as Sucanat, coconut sugar, or monk fruit.

How To Make Air Fryer Meatballs

Air Fryer Meatball ingredients in individual bowls.

Prep and measure all the ingredients.

Air Fryer Meatball ingredients combined in a mixing bowl.

Add the ground turkey, onion, peppers, garlic, egg, pork rind crumbs, Italian seasoning and salt and pepper to taste to a large mixing bowl, and knead with your hands until well combined.

Formed meatballs in an air fryer basket.

Form the meat mixture into evenly sized meatballs, and place into a well greased air fryer tray.

Cooked Air Fryer Meatballs sitting in an air fryer basket.

Air fry at 400 degrees for 12-15 minutes or until browned and cooked through. They should be a minimum of 165℉ on a meat thermometer.

Granular sweetener in a small bowl.

Stir together the sugar free ketchup and sweetener.

Basting the meatballs with ketchup.

Brush the mixture onto the top of the meatballs, and return them to the air fryer for another 1-2 minutes before serving.

Closeup of Air Fryer Meatballs sitting in an air fryer basket.

Serve as is, or add to other things. You can even serve these on toothpicks for a party.

Front view of four Air Fryer Meatballs on a white plate with fresh parsley sprinkled over the top.

Storage

Store leftover meatballs in an airtight container and keep them in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Freezing

Wrap them well and keep them in the freezer for up to 4 months.

Reheating

Reheat in an air fryer or in a skillet on a stovetop.

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Four Air Fryer Meatballs on a white plate with fresh parsley sprinkled over the top.

Air Fryer Meatballs Recipe

Delicious, versatile meatballs for every occasion.
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Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 18 minutes
Total Time: 33 minutes
Servings: 12 meatballs
Calories: 888kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Air Fryer

Ingredients

  • 1 lb. lean ground turkey
  • cup finely chopped red onion
  • cup finely chopped green bell pepper
  • 2 tsp. minced garlic (or pressed)
  • 1 large egg
  • ½ cup whole grain bread crumbs (Panko makes whole wheat bread crumbs, or you can make your own at home from toast with a food processor)
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • ¼ cup ketchup (no sugar added)
  • 1 tbsp. Sucanat (or coconut sugar, or monk fruit)
  • salt and pepper (to taste at serving)

Instructions

  • Prep and measure all the ingredients.
    Air Fryer Meatball ingredients in individual bowls.
  • Add the ground turkey, onion, peppers, garlic, egg, pork rind crumbs, Italian seasoning and salt and pepper to taste to a large mixing bowl, and knead with your hands until well combined.
    Air Fryer Meatball ingredients combined in a mixing bowl.
  • Form the meat mixture into evenly sized meatballs, and place into a well greased air fryer tray.
    Formed meatballs in an air fryer basket.
  • Air fry at 400 degrees for 12-15 minutes or until browned and cooked through. They should be a minimum of 165℉ on a meat thermometer.
    Cooked Air Fryer Meatballs sitting in an air fryer basket.
  • Stir together the sugar free ketchup and sweetener .
    Granular sweetener in a small bowl.
  • Brush the mixture onto the top of the meatballs, and return them to the air fryer for another 1-2 minutes before serving.
    Basting the meatballs with ketchup.
  • Serve as is, or add to other things. You can even serve these on toothpicks for a party.
    Front view of four Air Fryer Meatballs on a white plate with fresh parsley sprinkled over the top.

Notes

Please note that the nutrition data given here is a ballpark figure. Exact data is not possible. data is for the entire recipe. Divide these numbers by the number of meatballs you make.

Nutrition

Serving: 1meatball | Calories: 888kcal | Carbohydrates: 80g | Protein: 120g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 435mg | Sodium: 1139mg | Potassium: 1706mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 29g | Vitamin A: 727IU | Vitamin C: 19mg | Calcium: 107mg | Iron: 9mg

Author: Tiffany McCauley

Title: Food and Travel Journalist

Expertise: Food, cooking, travel

Bio:

Tiffany McCauley is a nationally syndicated journalist and an award-winning cookbook author and food blogger. She has been featured on MSN, Huffington Post, Country Living Magazine, HealthLine, Redbook, and many more. Her food specialty is healthy comfort food recipes.

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