If you like Italian meatballs, you'll love this quick and delicious air fryer version. These easy homemade meatballs cook up to tender, juicy perfection in just minutes. Plus, they use ingredients you probably already have, making them budget-friendly.
Air fryer meatballs are great in spaghetti and marinara sauce, meatball bakes, meatball sub sandwiches or meatball bombs. They're also perfect for game day snacks, Super Bowl appetizers or however you like to enjoy meatballs.
AIR FRYER MEATBALL INGREDIENTS
You may have all of these in your refrigerator or pantry and not need to make a trip to the grocery store! See recipe card below for ingredient amounts.
- Meat: These meatballs are a mixture of ground beef and ground pork.
- Breadcrumbs: Regular or panko breadcrumbs keep these juicy in the air fryer.
- Milk: Any fat percentage will do.
- Egg: Use a real egg.
- Grated Parmigiano Reggiano: Fresh grated parmigiano reggiano from the refrigerated deli section is a great time-saver.
- Spices: Salt, pepper and Italian seasoning.
- Garlic: You can mince your own or use the minced garlic that comes in a jar.
POSSIBLE VARIATIONS
There are endless ways to put your own spin on these delicious air fryer meatballs. Here are just a few ideas:
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
Enjoy this great recipe as a great addition to a full meal with these other recipes:
- Marinara Sauce – This classic marinara sauce with meatballs is a perfect pairing.
- Pizza Dough Garlic Knots – A must-have addition to any Italian meal. Dip them in marinara sauce and yum!
- Italian Salad – This classic side dish is colorful and full of flavor!
- Red Wine Sangria – Make with leftover wine from your marinara sauce recipe.
- Chocolate Lasagna – You'll love these layers of chocolatey, creamy goodness.
SUBSTITUTIONS
INSTRUCTIONS
If you'd like to print this recipe, scroll down to the recipe card where you can print the recipe or have it scaled to double or triple. You'll also find nutrition information.
TOOLS AND SUPPLIES NEEDED:
- Mixing bowl to combine ingredients
- Air fryer for cooking
SOFTEN BREADCRUMBS: In a bowl, combine breadcrumbs and milk. Mix together and let sit for 2-5 minutes to soften the breadcrumbs.
MIX REMAINING INGREDIENTS: Add the rest of the ingredients to the bowl and mix them together with your hands.
FORM MEATBALLS: Form 24 equal size meatballs. Roll them with your hands so they're round.
KITCHEN TIP
Wear gloves or oil your hands a little before forming the meatballs to prevent them from sticking to your hands.
KITCHEN TIP
Use a scoop to help ensure your meatballs are of equal size.
ARRANGE MEATBALLS IN AIR FRYER: Place meatballs in your air fryer basket with space between them. Do not overcrowd. Depending on the size of your air fryer you may need to cook in batches.
COOK MEATBALLS: Set air fryer temperature to 380°F. Cook for 10-12 minutes. They are finished when the internal temperature is 165°F.
ENJOY: Garnish with fresh parsley, pair with your favorite sauce and enjoy.
STORAGE TIPS
Refrigerate: Allow to cool, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freeze: Arrange meatballs on a baking sheet so they don't touch. Place in the freezer. Once they're frozen, transfer to a ziplock bag to store. Raw frozen meatballs can be stored for up to 3 months. Cooked frozen meatballs can be frozen for up to 2 months.
Defrosting: Defrost in the refrigerator overnight. Use within 5 days.
RELATED RECIPES
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WAYS TO USE LEFTOVER AIR FRYER MEATBALLS
APPETIZERS: Place skewers in meatballs and brush with your favorite sauce or serve them with dipping sauce of your choice.
MEATBALL SUBS: Place meatballs in sliced hoagies, adding cheese and marinara sauce for a hearty dinner or lunch. Or make a meatball sub bake or calzone.
PIZZA: Make a meatball pizza. Use this pizza dough, our marinara sauce, sliced meatballs and mozzarella cheese.
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ pound ground beef
- ½ pound ground pork (or pork sausage)
- ½ cup breadcrumbs - regular or panko
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 egg
- 1 cup grated parmigiano reggiano cheese - grated
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 4 cloves garlic - minced
Instructions
In a bowl, combine breadcrumbs and milk.
Mix together and let sit for 2-5 minutes to soften the crumbs.
Add the rest of the ingredients to the bowl.
Mix the ingredients together with your hands.
Form 24 equal size meatballs.
Roll them with your hands so they're round.
Place meatballs in your air fryer basket with space between them. Do not overcrowd. Depending on the size of your air fryer you will need to cook them in shifts.
Set air fryer temperature to 380°F. Cook for 10-12 minutes. They are finished when the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Remove meatballs from air fryer and enjoy.
Notes
Nutrition
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Amanda | The Kitcheneer says
LOVE this recipe! And how quick and easy it was to make in the air fryer!
Liza says
What a great, easy recipe! Blending ground beef plus ground pork is brilliant, and I love how quickly these tasty meatballs cook in the air fryer. Another winner from Family Dinners!
Anita says
I love 50:50 beef and pork meatballs too. These are tender and juicy, and perfect for spaghetti with marinara sauce.
Andrea says
I really like that you add Parmesan Reggiano cheese in these easy to make meatballs. They also look marvelous and I can't wait to make them.
Carrie Robinson says
So smart to use the air fryer to make homemade meatballs! 🙂 I can't wait to try this recipe soon.
Tayler Ross says
These meatballs were amazing! Never making them another way again!
Glenda says
Wow! They were perfect! I had never even considered cooking meatballs in the air fryer. Love this new tip. Will be doing it often. Thank you!
Ieva says
Certainly the best meatballs I made in an air-fryer! I normally only use pork, but meatballs are so much better with a mixture of meats. Perfect recipe for perfect meatballs! Thanks!
Farah Maizar says
I'm obsessed with my air fryer and always so excited to discover new recipes for it! This looks like a winner, can't wait to make these meatballs!
Suja md says
This looks amazing and such a treat! Thank you!
Tara says
Oh yum! I love how easily these homemade meatballs come together. The texture looks so perfect with the use of the air fryer too.
Jill says
The air fryer definitely makes superior meatballs! I know from experience! Your process shots are fantastic. Going to try your recipe... mine is all beef. I haven't tried a recipe yet with both beef and pork.