Make these juicy Italian meatballs in the air fryer in under 30 minutes. I use this simple method to make air fryer meatballs that are easy to make in the freezer. Perfect for weeknight dinners, appetizers, and meal prep.
For another quick and easy way to cook meatballs, try Instant Pot Meatballs. Or for a make-ahead option, these crockpot meatballs are a holiday favorite.
This easy air fryer meatball recipe is perfect for busy weeknights. Ready in less than 30 minutes, full of flavor and lighter than pan-frying. Plus, using an air fryer makes meatballs super convenient. Serve with dinner, serve as an appetizer, or freeze for quick meal prep. Can you see what I’m getting into?
Why you should make meatballs in the air fryer
It’s faster than the oven. I love baked meatballs, but cooking meatballs in the air fryer is faster and easier to clean up afterwards. It requires less oil than frying. Speaking of cleanup…air fryer meatballs require only a fraction of the oil needed to fry meatballs on the stovetop. No splatters! Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside. Learn how to make juicy air fryer meatballs that will hold their shape and are perfect for pairing with pasta or dipping sauces. Perfect for meal preparation. Meatballs are easy to meal prep for a week and can be quickly reheated for last-minute lunches or dinners.
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Scroll down to the recipe card for the complete printable ingredient list, measurements, and detailed instructions.
Ground Beef and Pork – I like to use a combination of lean ground beef and pork in my meatballs for added flavor and juiciness. For a leaner protein option, you can also make turkey or chicken meatballs in the air fryer. Milk – Just like milk tenderizes the ground beef in a Bolognese recipe, adding a little whole milk (or 2%) will make the meatball mixture moist and tender. Eggs – A lightly beaten egg will help bind the meatball ingredients together. Parmesan Cheese – We recommend freshly grated Parmesan cheese, but you can also use pre-grated. Pecorino Romano cheese and Grana Padano cheese are also good alternatives. Breadcrumbs – Along with eggs, breadcrumbs act as a binding agent for the meatball ingredients. If you don’t have bread crumbs, you can also make it with bread crumbs! Cut the bread into cubes and dry in the toaster or oven. Next, place the bread in a blender or food processor to make fine crumbs. Herbs and Seasonings – I use fresh minced garlic, Italian seasoning, onion powder, salt, and pepper. You can also replace the Italian seasoning with individual dried herbs like thyme, basil, oregano.
How to make air fryer meatballs
Step-by-step instructions on how to make the best meatballs in the air fryer in under 20 minutes. What I like most about this recipe is that the mixture comes together quickly and you don’t have to chill the meatballs, which saves you a ton of time on weeknights.
Mix meatball mixture
The most important advice here is not to overmix. Overmixing will produce dense, tough meatballs. I like to combine the ground meat and seasonings and bring the meatball mixture together by hand. Otherwise, use a wooden spatula or spoon to gently mix the ingredients together. This will keep the meatballs juicy.
Mix the ingredients. Add the meatball ingredients to a large bowl and mix well. Mix with a light touch until the ingredients are evenly mixed. Prepare the meat mixture 1 to 2 days in advance and store covered in the refrigerator until you are ready to roll and bake the meatballs.
Shape and cook meatballs
Then use a cookie scoop to divide the mixture into balls by following these steps:
Shape the meatballs. I think the best size for air fryer meatballs is 1 1/2 inches. For now, scoop out the meat mixture and roll it onto a baking sheet. At this point, you can cook the meatballs immediately or refrigerate for 15 to 30 minutes. Chilling will help the meatballs retain their shape and make them easier to handle, but it’s not 100% necessary. Cook. Arrange the meatballs in the air fryer basket. Don’t overcrowd the air fryer. If you overfill, the meatballs will steam rather than crisp (you may need to cook them in batches). Then cook the meatballs at 380°F for 10 to 12 minutes, turning them halfway through. Check the internal temperature at the end of cooking to ensure the meatballs have reached 165°F. enjoy! If you are serving air fryer meatballs with sauce, add them to the sauce immediately. Otherwise, we recommend letting the meatballs rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Suggestions on how to serve air fryer meatballs
spaghetti and meatballs. Classic! As mentioned above, serve the air fryer meatballs with marinara sauce (or your favorite tomato sauce) over a large bowl of pasta. As an appetizer. These meatballs make delicious appetizers with dipping sauces like honey mustard, homemade barbecue sauce, and Bang Bang Meatballs with Sweet Chili Sauce. subs and sandwiches. Tuck these meatballs into a hoagie bun for a meatball sub, or sandwich them between Hawaiian rolls or dinner rolls for sliders. meal preparation. Portion the air fryer meatballs into meal prep containers with rice, zucchini noodles, or roasted vegetables for an easy weeknight meal on the go.
Meatball variations
I love serving these Italian Air Fryer Meatballs over spaghetti with marinara sauce. That being said, these are great blank canvases, and there are some other fun variations you can try out as well.
Asian Air Fryer Meatballs. Coat these meatballs with a teriyaki glaze, or borrow the sweet, sour, and spicy sauce from my sesame meatball recipe. Swedish meatballs. Make easy Swedish meatballs in the air fryer and add chopped yellow onion, allspice, and nutmeg to the meat mixture. Then serve with creamy beef gravy. Spicy Air Fryer Meatballs. Add chili flakes to the meatball mixture or use the smoky chili sauce in my chipotle meatball recipe.
FAQ
yes! Raw meatballs can be rolled up to 48 hours in advance and stored covered in the refrigerator until it’s time to air fry.
both! Pre-freeze raw or cooked meatballs on a baking sheet and transfer to freezer bags. You can cook frozen meatballs in the air fryer and add additional cooking time if needed (fresh meatballs will take longer). Use an instant-read thermometer to confirm that the internal temperature has reached 165°F.
Storing and reheating leftovers
Freeze leftovers. Store cooked meatballs, with or without sauce, in an airtight container. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat. If your meatballs don’t come with sauce, you can reheat them by returning them to the air fryer at 350°F for a few minutes. Otherwise, use the stovetop or microwave. Freeze. Freeze the meatballs first on a baking sheet, then transfer to an airtight container or resealable bag. Can be frozen for up to 2 months. Meatballs can be reheated from frozen, or thawed in the refrigerator and then reheated.
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explanation
You can make juicy meatballs in just 30 minutes in the air fryer! Meatballs are easy to make in the air fryer and are delicious served over spaghetti. It’s also freezer safe, making it perfect for meal prep.
1 pound ground beef
1/4 pound of ground pork
2 tablespoons milk
1 lightly beaten eggs
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/4 cup bread crumbs
2 clove garlic, chopped
2 teaspoons italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Mix well. Using a medium-sized cookie scoop, form meat mixture into 1 1/2-inch balls. Optional: Chill rolled meatballs for 15 to 30 minutes before cooking. This is also a useful tip if you want to get ahead of the curve. Preheat air fryer to 380°F. Place the meatballs in the air fryer basket, being careful not to crowd them. You may need to cook it in two batches. Cook for 10-12 minutes, rotating halfway through cooking. Internal temperature should be 165°F. Let the meatballs rest for 5 minutes before serving, or add them immediately to your favorite sauce.
