Easy Air Fryer Meatballs
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Tender and juicy on the inside, crispy on the outside, these tasty meatballs are made healthier in the air fryer and can be used in all of your favorite recipes featuring meatballs.
We love a good meatball in our house. I have a base recipe I use for meatballs and then I tend to change the seasoning based on what we are using the meatballs for.
Currently my favorite method of cooking meatballs is in the oven. I do cook them on the stove top as well but it’s easier and less messy to cook them in the oven.
My favorite meatballs are these spicy Banh Mi Meatballs that I serve over top of rice. For a party, game day, or just as a great dinner I love Pull Apart Meatball Sliders. My old stand by recipe for meatballs is a Meat and Vegetable Meatball.
Recently I got a Fritaire self cleaning glass bowl air fryer. It’s really the coolest thing because you can see the food as it is cooking so knowing when to flip a food, like meatballs, is easy and I don’t have to keep opening up the air fryer to check on them.
What is an Air Fryer?
An air fryer is a kitchen appliance that cooks food by circulating hot air around it, resulting in a crispy exterior similar to deep frying. It uses little to no oil which makes it a healthier option. Air fryers can be used to fry, cook, bake, reheat, and more.
I have never air fried meatballs before but since I love cooking in the air fryer I decided to give it a try. I looked through many different recipes for cooking times and then I went with my own meatball recipe.
How do I serve Air Fryer Meatballs?
You can serve these meatballs in so many different ways.
- Toss them in marinara sauce and serve over top of spaghetti or on a sub roll.
- Put them on top of a salad to use as your protein.
- Add a sweet and spicy sauce, stick a toothpick in them, and have them as appetizers.
- Toss with a soy based sauce and serve over top of rice.
Ingredients:
- ground beef (I prefer 85/15 but use what your family likes)
- breadcrumbs (I usually use flavored ones but plain are fine)
- garlic cloves
- salt
- black pepper
- smoked paprika
- Worcestershire sauce (optional but adds lots of flavor)
- Italian seasonings (optional but great if using on spaghetti)
To make the meatballs place the ground beef in a large bowl. Add in the breadcrumbs and mix until just combined.
Add in the garlic, salt, black pepper, paprika, Worcestershire sauce, and Italian seasonings and mix until just combined.
Roll into 1 or 1 1/2 inch meatballs. I was able to make 18 meatballs with this mix but it will depend on the size of your meatballs.
Can I freeze the meatballs?
You can freeze the meatballs raw or cooked. If they are raw put them on a baking sheet and place in the freezer for 30 minutes. Transfer to a freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months. You can also freeze the cooked meatballs. Make sure they have fully cooled and store in a freezer bag in the freezer for up to 1 month. When reheating already cooked meatballs put in the air fryer on reheat or cook in the oven on a low temperature.
Preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees. Place the meatballs in the air fryer in a single layer. You may need to make them in two batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
Cook for 5 minutes then flip the meatballs over and cook for another 4-5 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 155 degrees. Remove from the air fryer and serve in your desired way.
Can I add different ingredients to my Meatballs?
You can add a variety of seasonings to make the meatballs your own. For an Asian inspired meatball add a tablespoon of soy sauce in place of the Worcestershire sauce and add a Tablespoon of fresh minced ginger. Make them Greek style by adding dill, oregano, and a bit of crumbled feta. Add up to half a cup of shredded cheese for cheesy meatballs. Sprinkle in your favorite seasoning blend.
These meatballs were perfect. The were a little crisp and golden brown on the outside but they were juicy and tender inside. They weren’t greasy at all. I tossed them in marinara sauce and we had them over top of spaghetti for a delicious and easy to make meal.
Air Fryer Meatballs
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lb. ground beef
- 1/3 c. breadcrumbs
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 Tablespoon Italian seasonings
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce optional
Instructions
- Place the ground beef in a large bowl. Add in the breadcrumbs and mix until just combined.
- Add in the garlic cloves, salt, pepper, Italian seasonings, and Worcestershire sauce and mix until just combined.
- Roll the beef mixture into 1 1/2 inch balls.
- Preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees.
- Place the meatballs in the air fryer in a single layer making sure they are not touching.
- Cook for 5 minutes, flip, then cook for an additional 4-6 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 155 degrees.
- Remove and serve with sauce if desired.
Notes
