Air Fryer Meatballs

Fancy enough for a party menu yet easy enough for a weeknight dinner idea, my savory Air Fryer Meatballs can be made with your choice of ground turkey, beef, or pork.

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 20

Total Time 35

Servings servings (6-7 meatballs each)

Calories 323kcal

Author Meggan Hill

Ingredients

2 pounds ground turkey or ground beef or ground pork (see note 1)
1 cup bread crumbs or panko or rolled oats (see note 2)
2/3 cup onion minced
1/2 cup minced fresh parsley
2 large eggs
3 cloves garlic minced
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce (see note 3)
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, bread crumbs, onion, parsley, eggs, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, basil, oregano, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper.
Using a strong spatula or your hands (I like to wear latex gloves), mix well. Shape the mixture into 1-inch balls (you should have around 48 total).
Preheat air fryer to 350 degrees. Working in batches, arrange meatballs in air fryer basket, brush with oil, and cook until browned with crispy edges, turning over meatballs after 5 minutes, about 8 minutes (an internal thermometer should read 165 degrees for 15 seconds).
Transfer to serving plate. Repeat with remaining meatballs.

Notes

Ground turkey, beef, or pork: To keep the lean theme going (we are air frying rather than deep-frying, after all), opt for turkey. For more flavor and juiciness, try a 50/50 mix of half beef or pork, or opt for one or the other at about 85 percent lean and 15 percent fat.
Bread crumbs: Store-bought works great, or substitute fresh breadcrumbs if you have some stale bread that you'd like to use up. Alternatively, trade in 1 cup of rolled oats or flaky panko breadcrumbs.
Worcestershire sauce: Just a splash; this lends a lovely umami boost that really elevates the flavor of these Air Fryer Meatballs.
Yield: This Air Fryer Meatball recipe makes about 42 meatballs, enough to serve six adults a very generous heavy appetizer-sized portion. Four to six meatballs can make a meal if you pair it with a starch and sauce (see ideas below in "Recipe FAQs).
Storage: Transfer leftover Air Fryer Meatballs to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
Make ahead: The meatballs can be made up to 3 days in advance. Store covered in the refrigerator until you're ready to reheat and enjoy.
Freezer: Arrange cooked meatballs in a single layer on a baking sheet, not touching. Freeze until solid, about 1 hour, then transfer to a freezer-safe container and store up to 1 month.

Nutrition