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The Best Air Fryer Meatballs

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These easy homemade meatballs cook to juicy, tender perfection in the air fryer.
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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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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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.

5 from 22 votes

Air Fryer Meatballs


Course Appetizer, Main Dish
Cuisine Italian
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
24 meatballs
These easy homemade meatballs cook to juicy, tender perfection in the air fryer.

Equipment

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 pound ground beef
  • 1/2 pound ground pork (or pork sausage)
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs regular or panko
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1 egg
  • 1 cup grated parmigiano reggiano cheese grated
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 4 cloves garlic minced

Instructions

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

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

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    Comments & Reviews

  1. Amanda | The Kitcheneer says

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

    Reply

  2. Liza says

    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

    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

    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

    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

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

    Reply

  7. Glenda says

    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

    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

    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

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

    Reply

  11. Tara says

    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

    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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