Home » Blog » Course » Appetizers » The Best Air Fryer MeatballsThe Best Air Fryer Meatballs Pin RecipeRate RecipePublished: Feb 17, 2022 · Modified: Aug 21, 2022 by Andrea + Stef · This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our full Disclosure Policy for details. These easy homemade meatballs cook to juicy, tender perfection in the air fryer. Jump to 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. Table of Contents AIR FRYER MEATBALL INGREDIENTSPOSSIBLE VARIATIONSSERVING SUGGESTIONSSUBSTITUTIONSINSTRUCTIONSSTORAGE TIPSRELATED RECIPESFREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONSWAYS TO USE LEFTOVER AIR FRYER MEATBALLSAir Fryer MeatballsMORE RECIPES YOU MIGHT LIKE 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: SWAP SEASONINGSAdd some heat by swapping Italian seasoning for 1 teaspoon of dark chili powder. ADD YOUR FAVORITE SAUCEToss with buffalo, barbecue, ranch, or teriyaki sauce, or simmer in your favorite gravy. MAKE IT SWEETAdd 2 tablespoons of brown sugar for a sweeter flavor. 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 CHEESEParmesan or parmigiano reggiano both give a robust flavor. SUBSTITUTE DIFFERENT MEATS For a leaner version, try chicken and/or turkey. GO DAIRY FREEOmit the cheese and use a dairy-free milk (such as almond milk) or water. GO GLUTEN FREEGluten-free breadcrumbs work great. MAKE IT KETO-FRIENDLYFor 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 ingredientsAir 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 TIPWear gloves or oil your hands a little before forming the meatballs to prevent them from sticking to your hands. KITCHEN TIPUse 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 Italian Sausage Meatballs Recipe Delicious classic recipe for large Italian meatballs. They pair well with spaghetti, pizza or meatball sub sandwiches. See Recipe Best Marinara Sauce Learn how to make spaghetti sauce. This is the best marinara sauce with red wine whether you call it pasta sauce or marinara sauce. See Recipe Chicken Parmesan Meatballs Recipe These easy, healthy chicken meatballs make for a quick dinner idea or party appetizer. Use the yummy chicken parmesan meatballs with spaghetti and marinara or in any recipe that requires meatballs. See Recipe Turkey and Spinach Meatballs These healthy turkey spincach meatballs are cooked prefect everytime and are simple to make for a main course dinner or as an appetizer. See Recipe 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. 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. meatballs 5 from 24 votes Air Fryer Meatballs Author Andrea + Stef Course Appetizer, Main Dish Cuisine Italian Prep Time 20 minutes minutes Cook Time 10 minutes minutes Print Pin Rate 24 meatballs These easy homemade meatballs cook to juicy, tender perfection in the air fryer. Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark EquipmentAir Fryer Ingredients 1x2x3x▢ 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 InstructionsIn 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. NotesIt 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. NutritionCalories: 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 Did you create this? Share it on Instagram and follow us on Pinterest for more cleverly simply recipes. Email Recipe Pin Recipe Share Recipe MORE RECIPES YOU MIGHT LIKE How To Make Perfect Cast Iron Skillet Burgers March 10, 2023 No Comments If you have been craving a juicy and flavorful hamburger, then these easy, homemade cast… Read More Easy John Wayne Casserole Recipe February 16, 2023 No Comments This delicious Mexican inspired John Wayne casserole bakes in the oven and combines biscuits, taco… Read More 45 Game Day Appetizers: The Best Party Snacks February 7, 2023 No Comments Super Bowl party appetizers everyone loves! 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Amanda | The Kitcheneer says May 11, 2022May 11, 2022 at 6:21 pm LOVE this recipe! And how quick and easy it was to make in the air fryer! Reply
Liza says May 11, 2022May 11, 2022 at 6:42 pm 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
Anita says May 11, 2022May 11, 2022 at 6:56 pm I love 50:50 beef and pork meatballs too. These are tender and juicy, and perfect for spaghetti with marinara sauce. Reply
Andrea says May 11, 2022May 11, 2022 at 7:10 pm 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
Carrie Robinson says May 11, 2022May 11, 2022 at 7:42 pm So smart to use the air fryer to make homemade meatballs! 🙂 I can’t wait to try this recipe soon. Reply
Tayler Ross says May 11, 2022May 11, 2022 at 8:10 pm These meatballs were amazing! Never making them another way again! Reply
Glenda says May 13, 2022May 13, 2022 at 9:38 pm 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
Ieva says May 14, 2022May 14, 2022 at 6:27 am 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
Farah Maizar says May 14, 2022May 14, 2022 at 8:34 am 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
Suja md says May 14, 2022May 14, 2022 at 3:21 pm This looks amazing and such a treat! Thank you! Reply
Tara says May 14, 2022May 14, 2022 at 4:32 pm 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
Jill says May 14, 2022May 14, 2022 at 6:10 pm 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