This air fryer meatball recipe is so easy to make! Use simple ingredients to make these delicious juicy meatballs to serve with pasta and sauce, in a sandwich, or as an appetizer!
This meatball recipe is from my mother-in-law, and goes back at least 70 years! The meatballs are easy to make, but full of flavor with just the basics. Of course, once you try the recipe, you can add more to it to make it your own.
Jump to:
WHY YOU WILL LOVE THIS RECIPE
You will love these air fryer meatballs because they are one of those simple but delicious meals with tons of flavor! They are so easy to switch up and make into different meals, like pasta toppings or sub sandwiches.
You can also enjoy their juicy perfection by topping them with mozzarella cheese and eating them with a dipping sauce. They are so fun to eat with spaghetti too!
Love this dish? You might also love these air fryer chicken meatballs made with marinara and parmesan cheese. They're so good and can be served several different ways.
Because we all need easy meals, we think you will like these air fryer fish tacos, air fryer breaded shrimp, air fryer tortilla pizza, or this air fryer taco ring.
MEATBALL INGREDIENTS
- ground beef
- Italian breadcrumbs- if using plain breadcrumbs, add 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning to the meatball mixture
- large egg
- milk
- finely grated parmesan cheese
- cloves garlic- minced fresh garlic adds the perfect flavor to ground meats.
- kosher salt
- ground black pepper
- GARNISH WITH FRESH PARSLEY
HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE MEATBALLS
STEP 1
In large bowl, add in the ground beef. Stir in the chopped onion, and seasonings, until they are mixed into the beef.
STEP 2
Using a cookie scoop or large spoon, to scoop the meat mixture into small portions and roll into 2-inch meatballs. Place them into the air fryer basket as you roll them.
STEP 3
Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees F for 5 minutes. Although, if you don't have a preheat option, you can just run your air fryer for a few minutes to heat the basket.
STEP 4
Air fry meatballs at 400 degrees F for 8-10 minutes, until the meatballs are golden brown on the outside. Turn the meatballs after a couple of minutes of air frying so both sides can cook more evenly.
In order to make sure meatballs are cooked properly, the internal temperature should be about 160 degrees F. (Having a meat thermometer with an air fryer is the best investment I've made, besides my air fryer!)
Use cooked air fryer meatballs as appetizers, grab skewer toothpicks, or add them to your meal. Serve hot and enjoy!
AIR FRYER TIPS
In order for the meatballs to cook evenly, try to make the meatballs the same size and shape. If using smaller meatballs, they will air fry a little faster. Similarly, if using larger size meatballs, they will take an extra minute or two.
When using an instant-read thermometer when cooking meat in the air fryer, you will know the meat is done without having to second guess. The internal temperature should be 160 degrees F to have safely cooked meat.
Try not to overcrowd the basket or tray. Keep them in a single layer. If the meatballs are stacked or overlapping, the meat won't cook properly. Work in batches if necessary.
Mixing pork with the ground beef adds extra flavor. If you want to do this, just add ¼ pound ground pork to the recipe.
Because meatballs already have a natural grease, I didn't need to spray or line the basket. However, if you want to make sure they won't stick, you can't brush a little bit of olive oil or air fryer safe non-stick oil spray onto the basket.
Here are a few of our FAVORITE recommendations.
Cosori Dual Blaze Air Fryer - Digital Meat Thermometer - Air Fryer All Day
WHAT TO SERVE WITH AIR-FRIED MEATBALLS
Meatballs are delicious when added to a pasta like spaghetti with marinara sauce, spaghetti sauce, or whatever your favorite sauce may be. Or you can stick a toothpick in them and serve them with your favorite dipping sauce for a delicious appetizer!
Add a layer of meatballs to a sub roll for delicious meatball subs. Top them with marinara sauce or your favorite pasta sauce, and cheese, along with your favorite sub toppings.
VARIATIONS
This is where you can add in other ingredients or seasonings. For example, you can make this with finely chopped jalapenos, onions, or bell peppers. For additional seasonings, sprinkle in garlic powder, or even chili powder.
STORING AND REHEATING
To store leftover meatballs, first let them cool to room temperature. Then, place them in an airtight storage container and store them in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
To reheat meatballs, return them to the air fryer and air fry for 3-5 minutes until they are heated through.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Absolutely! You can easily switch up a batch of meatballs by using other meat. Ground turkey, ground chicken, or a pound ground veal, instead of the usual ground beef mixture. For a delicious flavor twist, use ⅔ ground beef, and ⅓ Italian sausage.
You can easily make these the night before a party! I made the meatballs, wrapped in plastic wrap (or you can use an airtight container) and left in the fridge overnight. Air fry them the next day when we were ready for dinner. This is perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep!
MORE GROUND BEEF AIR FRYER RECIPES
Air fryer meatballs can be a fast and easy dinner or appetizer! You will love making these meatballs for your favorite pasta dish or sandwich, or even as a party appetizer! Give them a try, you won't be disappointed!
Check out our book, available in stores and online!
Looking for more ideas and others to connect with? Join our Facebook community with over 2 million members and counting!
Jump down to the COMMENT section and tell us what you think about this dish! We would love to help and also appreciate your candid feedback on all of our recipes.
📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Meatballs
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- ½ cup Italian breadcrumbs if using plain breadcrumbs ad 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup milk
- ¼ cup finely grated parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves of garlic minced
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Optional
- ¼ cup onion finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon parsley flakes as garnish
Instructions
- In large bowl, add in the ground beef. Stir in the chopped onion, and seasonings, until they are mixed into the beef.
- Using a cookie scoop or large spoon, to scoop the meat mixture into small portions and roll into 2-inch meatballs. Place them into the air fryer basket as you finish rolling them.
- Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees F for 5 minutes. If you don't have a preheat option, you can just run your air fryer for a few minutes to heat the basket.
- Air fry meatballs at 400 degrees F for 8-10 minutes, until the meatballs are golden brown on the outside. Turn the meatballs after a couple of minutes of air frying so both sides can cook more evenly. To make sure it's done, the internal temperature should be about 160 degrees F.
Notes
Nutrition
*Nutritional information is a calculated guesstimate. Please note that this can change with different brands and modifications you may make to the recipe. For the most accurate information, use a nutritional calculator with the exact brands and measurements you're using with each recipe.
©AirFryingFoodie 2024
Patricia Schunda
no egg in ingredients!!
Rebecca
Hi Patricia,
That's correct. These meatballs are traditional old fashioned meatballs, not like meatloaf. No eggs are required, and they are perfect in a sandwich, or on top of spaghetti.
Rebecca
Hi Patricia. I fixed the directions. I did not add egg to these meatballs. Thank you!
Cheryl wilk
Egg or no egg?
Egg is not in list of ingredients, but is mentioned in step one.