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The air fryer meatballs are juicy on the inside with just the right crisp on the outside. They are done in minutes without turning on the oven. Perfect for weeknights, parties, or make ahead freezer meals.
“These air fryer meatballs are crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and ready in minutes. They are going to be your new favorite for easy dinners or party bites.”
-Becky
These homemade meatballs are perfect as appetizers, but you can also toss them in marinara and eat them in spaghetti, or load them up in sub sandwiches too. The kids love it when I top them with mozzarella cheese and then serving with a dipping sauce.
Love this dish? You might also love these air fryer chicken meatballs made with marinara and parmesan cheese. And 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.
Ingredients You Will Need
- ground beef- if using lean ground beef, the meatballs may not be as tender. The best cut is 80/20 or 90/10.
- Italian breadcrumbs– if using plain breadcrumbs, add 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning to the meatball mixture
- large egg– this will help bind the mixture together and will keep the meatballs tender.
- milk– helps to keep the meatballs moist and tender.
- finely grated parmesan cheese-this cheese will add flavor, and once air fried, will also add a little crisp to the texture of the meatball.
- cloves garlic- minced fresh garlic adds the perfect flavor to ground meat.
A full list of ingredients is included in the recipe card below.
Optional:
- add a teaspoon of onion powder for extra flavor
- garnish with fresh parsley
Air Fryer Meatball Variations
- Serve them your way: Toss with pasta and marinara, load into sub rolls, or serve with toothpicks and your favorite dipping sauce.
- Switch the sauce: Try BBQ, pesto, or tzatziki for a fun flavor twist.
- Add ins: Mix in chopped jalapeños, onions, or bell peppers for extra flavor and texture.
- Cheesy inside: Stuff with a cube of mozzarella before cooking.
- Change the meat: Use ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option.
- Add pork: Mixing beef and pork boosts flavor and keeps them juicy, so do half and half if you choose to blend them.
How to Make Air Fryer Meatballs
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.
- In large bowl, add in the ground beef. Stir in the chopped onion, and seasonings, until they are mixed into the beef.
- Use a cookie scoop or large spoon, to scoop the meat mixture into small portions and roll into 2-inch meatballs. You can set them on a plate as you roll them until the air fryer is ready.
- Cook 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.
Expert Tips
- Check the temp: Use a meat thermometer to make sure they hit 160 degrees F (71 degrees C). One of my favorite kitchen tools, besides the air fryer!
- Keep them even: Same sized meatballs cook evenly. Smaller ones cook faster, larger need a little more time.
- Space them out: Don’t overcrowd the basket, cook in batches if needed for even browning.
- Skip the spray: The meat has enough fat. But if needed, lightly brush the basket with oil.
- Preheat first: A hot air fryer helps them brown better and cook evenly.
Air Fryer Meatballs FAQ’s
Nope. Any style works. Just keep an eye on the temp and adjust cook time if needed.
Absolutely. Make them ahead and refrigerate or freeze raw. You can even freeze them after cooking. When you are ready to eat, just reheat and enjoy.
Meatballs typically cook in the air fryer at 400 degrees F for about 8-10 minutes, until golden and cooked through. Always check that the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees F for food safety.
More Air Fryer Appetizers
Appetizers
Air Fryer Hot Pockets
Appetizers
Reheating Wings in the Air Fryer
Frozen Foods
Air Fryer Frozen Mozzarella Sticks
Snacks
Air Fryer Calzone
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Air Fryer Meatballs
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 cup Italian breadcrumbs, if using plain breadcrumbs ad 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/4 cup finely grated parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Optional
- 1/4 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
- Keep them even: Shape meatballs the same size so they cook evenly. This recipe makes 16 medium ones.
- Check the temp: Use a meat thermometer and cook to 160 degrees F for safe, juicy meatballs.
- Don’t overcrowd: Cook in a single layer, work in batches if needed.
- Add pork for flavor: Mix in ¼ pound ground pork with the beef for extra richness.
- Skip the spray: The meat has enough fat, but a light brush of oil is fine if you’re worried about sticking.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Egg or no egg?
Egg is not in list of ingredients, but is mentioned in step one.
no egg in ingredients!!
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.
Hi Patricia. I fixed the directions. I did not add egg to these meatballs. Thank you!