These homemade meatballs are succulent, tender, juicy, and delicious! Learn how to bake meatballs in an air fryer. You will also discover how long it takes to cook the meatballs. You will love this recipe because it is easy to follow and great for meal prep.
I have used ground beef, but you can also make chicken meatballs in your air fryer. Same prep, with slightly different cooking times depending on the size, but the same result.
Cooking meatballs in the air fryer is a quick way to get them on your plate fast. It is a great way to turn raw meatballs into juicy meatballs in about 25 minutes. Serve with your favorite pasta sauce or any dish you like.
Air Fryer Meatballs Recipe
With this air fryer meatball recipe, you can now have dinner in minutes! It is quick and easy to make, and you can make it ahead of time and freeze it for up to 3 months.
Wondering how long it takes to cook meatballs in the air fryer? It depends on the size of the meatballs and the cooking temperature. The bigger the meatballs, the longer it will take to cook. You can cook them at 180C/360F for 15 minutes or 185C/365F for 10 minutes. Consider your air fryer size.
Ingredients you will need to make these homemade meatballs
Ground beef or lean ground beef – you can also use turkey or chicken mince.
Onion powder or fresh diced onions.
Fresh parsley – you can also use dried parsley
Italian seasoning
Plain breadcrumbs
Grated parmesan cheese
Chilli flakes
Milk
Egg
Garlic powder/granules – you can use fresh garlic or roasted garlic.
Salt and black pepper
Worcestershire sauce
Oil – use any oil of your choice.
Air fryer temperature varies depending on size, make, and model. My delicious cravings recipe time depends a whether your air fryer is preheated. If you are trying this recipe for the first time, reduce the cooking time by 2 minutes, then increase it as needed to cook the food evenly.
How to Cook Meatballs in the Air Fryer
Preheat the air fryer for 2 minutes at 200C/400F.
Add ground beef, egg, Italian seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, parsley, garlic granules, onion powder, breadcrumbs, cheese, milk, salt, and black pepper to a large bowl. Gently mix until the beef mixture comes together.
Scoop the meat mixture with a tablespoon or small cookie dough scoop and roll the meat mixture into 1½ inch to 2 inches balls. You should get between 16-18 balls.
Place meatballs in the air fryer basket, spray the tops with oil (optional), and cook for 10-15 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through. Serve and enjoy these juicy meatballs!
How to Store and Reheat
You can store leftover meatballs in the fridge or freezer.
Fridge – keep meatballs in an airtight container or a Ziploc bag and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Freezer - you can freeze air-fried meatballs. Let them cool completely before freezing. You can store them in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
To reheat, there is no need to thaw if frozen. Reheat at 160C/320F for 3-4 minutes or till hot.
To reheat in the microwave, place on a microwave-safe plate and cover for 40 seconds or till hot.
Tips
- Ensure the meatballs are not overcooked because they will become dry.
- Spray your palms with some oil. This will make it easy to roll the meat mixture into a ball.
- If using bread instead of breadcrumbs, add bread, grated onions, and milk to a small bowl. Allow to soak for about 5 minutes, then stir to combine.
- Season the beef to your taste.
- Keep the size of the meatballs equal so that it cooks evenly. You can use an ice cream scoop or cookie dough scoop for even meatballs.
- Avoid overmixing the meat mixture because it could result in tough meatballs.
FAQs
What is the internal temperature of meatballs?
You can check the internal temperature of meatballs in two ways. To check that your meatballs are cooked through and well done, insert an instant-read meat thermometer into the center of the meatballs; it should read 70C/158F.
Another way to check that it is fully cooked is by cutting one piece into halves. The center should no longer be pink.
Can I freeze meatballs with sauce?
You can freeze meatballs with or without sauce. The meatballs can last up to 3 months in an airtight container or Ziploc bag if frozen properly.
How to make moist meatballs in an air fryer?
Do not skip the eggs and breadcrumbs, as they add moisture to the meatballs and bind the ingredients together.
How long does to air fry meatballs?
You can cook meatballs in the air fryer for about 10- 15 minutes at 180C/360F. Remember to shake the basket halfway through cooking.
How to freeze uncooked meatballs?
To freeze meatballs, place them in a single layer on a baking tray or large plate. Line with parchment paper and freeze until the meatballs are solid. Once frozen, transfer them to a Ziploc bag or store them in an airtight container. They can be frozen for 2-3 months.
Recipe
Air Fryer Meatballs
Equipment
- Air fryer (instant pot vortex)
Ingredients
- 500 g ground beef about 1lb
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- ½ cup parmesan cheese grated
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ cup whole milk
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoon garlic granules
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon Oil
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer for 2 minutes at 200C/400F.
- Add ground beef, egg, Italian seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, parsley, garlic granules, onion powder, breadcrumbs, cheese, milk, salt, and black pepper in a large bowl. Gently mix until the beef mixture comes together.
- Scoop the meat mixture with a tablespoon or small cookie dough scoop and roll the meat mixture into 1½ inch to 2 inches balls. You should get between 16-18 balls.
- Place the meatballs in the air fryer basket, spray the top of the meatballs with oil (optional) and cook for 10-15 minutes at 180C/360F, until golden brown and cooked through. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
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