Preppy Kitchen Recipes Cooking Method Air Fryer Air Fryer Meatballs

Air Fryer Meatballs

Name: Air Fryer Meatballs Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: ⅓ cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs ((38g)); 1 teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon ground black pepper; ½ teaspoon onion powder; ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning; 3 tablespoons milk; 1 large egg; 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley; 2 cloves garlic (minced); 1 pound lean ground beef ((450g)); ½ pound ground pork ((225g)); ⅓ cup grated parmesan cheese ((freshly grated) (27g))

By John Kanell Published Aug 23, 2024
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Learn how to make juicy air fryer meatballs with a delectable browned exterior that are unbelievably tender inside. Serve them with your favorite pasta sauce for a hearty dinner or with a dipping sauce of your choice for a simple snack.

A plate with three air fryer meatballs with a platter more in the background with a drink in-between.

This easy air fryer meatballs recipe is just the thing if you need something quick and incredibly flavorful. A handy air fryer cooks them up in a flash, making this an ideal dish for busy weeknights or the perfect party appetizer.

Homemade air fryer meatballs are freezer-friendly and perfect for meal prep. You can make a double batch and freeze them before or after air-frying to have on hand for later. For more air fryer recipes, try my air fryer turkey breast, air fryer chicken tenders, and air fryer steak.

Ingredients

Breadcrumbs — I used Italian seasoned breadcrumbs, but you can also use plain breadcrumbs or panko.

Seasoning — salt, ground black pepper, onion powder, Italian seasoning, fresh garlic, and chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley add plenty of flavor to the air fryer meatballs.

Milk — milk moistens the breadcrumbs, forming what is known as a panade, so the meatballs turn out tender. Skipping this element will result in very firm and dry meatballs.

Egg — a large egg acts as a binder so the meatballs stay together.

Meat — lean ground beef and ground pork are the perfect combination for the best meatballs with plenty of flavor. Only using lean meat can sometimes lead to dry meatballs.

Parmesan cheese — freshly grated parmesan cheese adds a subtle nutty flavor.

How To Make Air Fryer Meatballs

Set of two photos showing dry ingredients mixed together and milk and egg added.

1. Combine the breadcrumbs, salt, black pepper, onion powder, and Italian seasoning in a large bowl.

2. Add the milk, egg, garlic, and fresh parsley and stir. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes so the crumbs can soak up the moisture.

Set of two photos showing meat mixed together and shaped into balls.

3. Add the ground beef, ground pork, and parmesan cheese to the soaked breadcrumbs and gently mix.

4. Shape the meat mixture into 16 meatballs with a diameter of about 2 inches each.

Set of two photos showing meatballs added to an air fryer basket and sprayed with oil.

5. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F if your model requires it. Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Place the shaped meatballs into the basket in a single layer, with the sides touching slightly. You may need to work in batches.

6. Lightly spray the tops of the meatballs. Air fry at 400°F for 10 to 12 minutes. The homemade meatballs are done when they turn golden brown, and an instant-read thermometer registers an internal temperature of 160°F.

A small bowl of air fryer meatballs with sauce on top along with shredded parmesan. Another plate in the background with a bowl of parmesan.

Can You Cook Frozen Meatballs in the Air Fryer?

You can cook meatballs from frozen in the air fryer. Place the frozen meatballs in the air fryer basket, and follow the air fryer meatball recipe cooking instructions, adding 2 to 3 minutes to the cooking time. Use a meat thermometer to make sure the air fryer meatballs are cooked through to an internal temperature of 160°F.

Serving Suggestions

Air fryer meatballs are endlessly versatile! Here are some easy ideas for how to serve them:

Meatball appetizer: Make a double batch of air fryer meatballs to serve a crowd. Stick a toothpick into each one. And serve with a side of your favorite dipping sauce, like marinara sauce, sweet and sour sauce, barbecue sauce, or honey mustard.
Easy pasta and meatballs: Bring marinara sauce, spaghetti sauce, vodka sauce, or a 24-ounce jar of your favorite pasta sauce to a simmer in a large pot. Add the air-fried meatballs to the sauce, cover, and cook over medium-low for 20 minutes or until the meatballs are very tender. Serve with pasta, polenta, garlic bread, or Italian bread.
Italian wedding soup: Pop these air fryer meatballs into a pot of this classic soup. You can make the meatballs smaller or leave them their regular size for hearty servings.
Meatball subs: Stuff hoagie rolls with meatballs and add a red sauce (like marinara) and shredded cheese. Broil until the cheese melts.
Mashed potatoes: Simply serve air-fried meatballs over a portion of buttery garlic mashed potatoes or Instant Pot mashed potatoes.

A plate with air fryer meatballs and a fork. One meatball cut opened. Shredded parmesan on top.

Storage Instructions

Storing Leftovers: Once cooled completely, transfer the air fryer meatballs to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days.
Freezing uncooked meatballs: Start by flash-freezing room temperature air-fried meatballs. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and arrange the meatballs so they are not touching each other. Place in the freezer until solid. Then, transfer the meatballs to a freezer bag or freezer-safe container with sheets of parchment paper separating layers. Freeze for up to 3 months. Cook from frozen.
Freezing cooked meatballs: Place cooled air fryer meatballs in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat frozen meatballs in the air fryer at 350°F until heated through.

Pro Tips For Making This Recipe

Use freshly grated parmesan cheese: It has a more robust flavor than the pre-shredded kind and will aid in binding the mixture together to help the meatballs keep their shape.
For a touch of heat: Add red pepper flakes to the meat mixture if you like a spicy kick.
Don’t overwork the meat. For light, juicy meatballs, try not to press or squeeze the meat while shaping it into balls. This will yield dense meatballs.
Try to make the meatballs the same size. This is the best way to ensure even cooking. I like to use a spring-loaded scoop or tablespoon scoop to dish out the meatballs.
Moisten your hands. Wetting your hands will prevent meat from sticking to them while you are shaping the meatballs.
It’s okay if the meatballs touch in the air fryer. Most of the time, you want space between items in the air fryer. In this case, it’s okay for the sides of the meatballs to touch slightly when they are placed in the basket. They will shrink while cooking and create space between each meatball for even browning. This helps you pack more meatballs into your air fryer basket at one time!

Overhead view of air fryer meatballs in an air fryer basket. A bowl of parmesan and a bowl of pepper on the side with a stack of plates and forks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I shape the meatballs ahead of time and cook them later?

Yes, you can prep the meatballs in advance. This is an excellent recipe for meal prep because you can also make a double batch and store it to air fry later! Once you shape the air fryer meatballs, place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. You can tightly wrap them and refrigerate them for up to 24 hours before cooking.

Or freeze them until solid, then transfer the frozen air fryer meatballs to a freezer bag or a container with parchment paper between layers of meatballs to prevent sticking. Air fry from frozen, adding 2 to 3 minutes to the cooking time.

Can I substitute the pork or beef?

You can use all pork or all beef, but I find that all pork can be a bit too fatty, and all lean beef turns out dry. A mixture of the two results in the juiciest, most flavorful air-fried meatballs. You can also use different meats altogether, like ground chicken or ground turkey. These are lean meats, however, which are easier to dry out as they cook much faster. So, you will likely need to reduce the cooking time by a few minutes.

What can you substitute the bread crumbs with to make these gluten-free?
You can easily swap in gluten-free breadcrumbs instead of regular breadcrumbs for gluten-free meatballs. Alternatively, you can crumble a slice of gluten-free bread and then soak it in milk, store-bought breadcrumbs.

What is the best way to reheat leftovers?

To reheat, preheat your air fryer to 350°F. Place the meatballs in the basket and heat refrigerated meatballs for about 5 minutes and frozen meatballs for 8 to 10 minutes. You can also reheat them in the microwave.

If you’ve tried this air fryer meatballs recipe, then don’t forget to rate it and let me know how you got on in the comments below. I love hearing from you!