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    The Best Air Fryer Meatballs

    Feb 17, 2022 · 12 Comments

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    air fryer meatballs
    A square white tray containing cooked meatballs garnished with chopped parsley and a small side dish of marinara sauce
    air fryer meatballs recipe

    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.

    Close-up of meatball being dipped in marinara sauce. Also shown: all ingredients for meatball in a clear mixing bowl; raw meatballs in air fryer basket; cooked meatballs in air fryer.

    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.
    Close-up of cooked meatballs in air fryer basket, sprinkled with chopped parsley.

    POSSIBLE VARIATIONS

    There are endless ways to put your own spin on these delicious air fryer meatballs. Here are just a few ideas:

    SWAP SEASONINGS

    Add some heat by swapping Italian seasoning for 1 teaspoon of dark chili powder.

    ADD YOUR FAVORITE SAUCE

    Toss with buffalo, barbecue, ranch, or teriyaki sauce, or simmer in your favorite gravy.

    MAKE IT SWEET

    Add 2 tablespoons of brown sugar for a sweeter flavor.

    Close up of meatball held by a toothpick being dipped into marinara sauce.

    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

    SUBSTITUTE PARMESAN CHEESE

    Parmesan or parmigiano reggiano both give a robust flavor.

    SUBSTITUTE DIFFERENT MEATS

    For a leaner version, try chicken and/or turkey.

    GO DAIRY FREE

    Omit the cheese and use a dairy-free milk (such as almond milk) or water.

    GO GLUTEN FREE

    Gluten-free breadcrumbs work great.

    MAKE IT KETO-FRIENDLY

    For a low carb option, try ground pork rinds instead of breadcrumbs. You can also use heavy whipping cream instead of milk.

    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
    • Bread crumbs and milk in a glass mixing bowl
    • milk and bread crumbs mixed up in a glass bowl

    SOFTEN BREADCRUMBS: In a bowl, combine breadcrumbs and milk. Mix together and let sit for 2-5 minutes to soften the breadcrumbs.

    • meatball ingredients added to breadcrumbs in mixing bowl
    • meatball ingredients mixed in a glass mixing bowl

    MIX REMAINING INGREDIENTS: Add the rest of the ingredients to the bowl and mix them together with your hands.

    • scoop measuring out meatball mixture.
    • hand rolling meatball into a round ball

    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.

    • raw meatballs in an air fryer
    • cooked meatballs in an air fryer

    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.

    pile of meatballs on a white tray with red marinara sauce on the tray

    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.

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    Italian Meatballs
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    FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

    Is it better to bake or fry meatballs?

    Baking meatballs is best for reducing fat from excess oil due to the frying process. Your air fryer gives you all the benefits of baking but in a fraction of the time.

    Can you cook frozen meatballs in the air fryer?

    You can reheat fully cooked, frozen meatballs in the air fryer. To prevent dryness, start with less cooking time. Then check for doneness and add more time as needed.

    What meats can you use to make Italian meatballs?

    Traditional Italian meatballs are made with a mix of ground beef and ground pork, and sometimes veal. You can also substitute ground chicken or turkey for a lower fat content.

    How can you tell if meatballs are fully cooked?

    Meatballs are fully cooked when the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Insert a meat thermometer into one or more of the meatballs after cooking to read the temperature.

    meatballs lined up in an air fryer basket.

    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.

    air fryer, meatballs

    Air Fryer Meatballs

    These easy homemade meatballs cook to juicy, tender perfection in the air fryer.
    5 from 21 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe
    Prep Time: 20 minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes
    Course: Appetizer, Main Dish
    Cuisine: Italian
    Keyword: airfryer meatballs, beef and pork meatballs, easy homemade meatballs, italian meatballs, sausage meatballs
    Servings: 24 meatballs
    Calories: 38kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark.
    Tried this recipe?Mention @FamilyDinnersOfficial or tag #familydinnersofficial!

    Equipment

    Air Fryer

    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
     

    • Bread crumbs and milk in a glass mixing bowl
      In a bowl, combine breadcrumbs and milk.
    • Milk and bread crumbs mixed up in a glass bowl.
      Mix together and let sit for 2-5 minutes to soften the crumbs.
    • Meatball ingredients added to breadcrumbs in mixing bowl.
      Add the rest of the ingredients to the bowl.
    • Meat ingredients mixed in a glass mixing bowl.
      Mix the ingredients together with your hands.
    • Scoop measuring out meatball mixture.
      Form 24 equal size meatballs.
    • Hand rolling meatball into a round ball
      Roll them with your hands so they're round.
    • Raw meatballs in an 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 will need to cook them in shifts.
    • Cooked meatballs in an air fryer.
      Set air fryer temperature to 380°F. Cook for 10-12 minutes. They are finished when the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
    • A square white tray containing cooked meatballs garnished with chopped parsley and a small side dish of marinara sauce
      Remove meatballs from air fryer and enjoy.

    Notes

    It can be helpful to use gloves or oil your hands a little before forming meatballs to prevent them from sticking to your hands.
    Use scoop to portion your meatballs to ensure they are a uniform size.
    You can refrigerate meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. 
    You can also store these meatballs in the freezer raw or cooked. Either way, arrange meatballs on a baking sheet so they aren't touching. 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. 
     

    Nutrition

    Calories: 38kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 14mg | Sodium: 75mg | Potassium: 39mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 16IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 12mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Amanda | The Kitcheneer says

      May 11, 2022 at 6:21 pm

      5 stars
      LOVE this recipe! And how quick and easy it was to make in the air fryer!

      Reply
    2. Liza says

      May 11, 2022 at 6:42 pm

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
    3. Anita says

      May 11, 2022 at 6:56 pm

      5 stars
      I love 50:50 beef and pork meatballs too. These are tender and juicy, and perfect for spaghetti with marinara sauce.

      Reply
    4. Andrea says

      May 11, 2022 at 7:10 pm

      5 stars
      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.

      Reply
    5. Carrie Robinson says

      May 11, 2022 at 7:42 pm

      5 stars
      So smart to use the air fryer to make homemade meatballs! 🙂 I can't wait to try this recipe soon.

      Reply
    6. Tayler Ross says

      May 11, 2022 at 8:10 pm

      5 stars
      These meatballs were amazing! Never making them another way again!

      Reply
    7. Glenda says

      May 13, 2022 at 9:38 pm

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
    8. Ieva says

      May 14, 2022 at 6:27 am

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
    9. Farah Maizar says

      May 14, 2022 at 8:34 am

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
    10. Suja md says

      May 14, 2022 at 3:21 pm

      5 stars
      This looks amazing and such a treat! Thank you!

      Reply
    11. Tara says

      May 14, 2022 at 4:32 pm

      5 stars
      Oh yum! I love how easily these homemade meatballs come together. The texture looks so perfect with the use of the air fryer too.

      Reply
    12. Jill says

      May 14, 2022 at 6:10 pm

      5 stars
      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.

      Reply

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