The Best Juicy Air Fryer Meatballs Recipe You'll Ever Try

Air fryer meatballs are a tasty twist on a classic dish. Made with ground meat, breadcrumbs, herbs, and spices, they're cooked quickly and evenly using hot air circulation.

This method cuts down on oil, making them healthier. Whether as an appetizer, with pasta, or on their own, air fryer meatballs are a hit for any meal.

a bunch of golden brown meatballs in a black bowl.

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Air Fryer Meatballs

Whether served as an appetizer, paired with pasta, or enjoyed solo, air fryer meatballs are sure to be a hit in your home.

Be sure to check other meatballs on this site, like baked meatballs, turkey Greek bowl and meatball casserole.

Why These Easy Air Fryer Meatballs Are The Best

💖 Perfectly Crispy Texture: Get a crispy texture with less oil using our air fryer meatball recipe, so each bite is crunchy outside and tender inside.

💖 Versatile and Flavorful: These healthy meatballs are made with lean ground beef and cooked quickly in an air fryer, perfect for busy nights or party appetizers. They're packed with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and Parmesan, adding savory flavor that pairs well with any sauce or dish.

💖 Healthy and Quick: Get a satisfying crunch with our air fryer meatball recipe, using minimal oil for a crispy outside and tender inside.

Recipe Ingredients

Lean Ground Beef (or use Beef + Pork Mix) - Use lean ground beef for a healthier option.
Bread Crumbs - Adds texture and helps bind the ingredients together, essential for forming meatballs.
Egg - Acts as a binder, holding the meatball mixture together during cooking.
Milk - Adds moisture to the meatballs, keeping them tender.
Fresh Parsley - Adds a fresh, herbaceous flavor to the meatballs.
Parmesan Cheese - Provides a savory umami flavor and helps bind the meatball mixture.
Italian Seasoning - A blend of herbs like oregano, basil, and thyme, adding classic Italian flavor. I like to use this.
Garlic Powder - Enhances the savory taste with a hint of garlic. or use fresh!
Olive Oil Spray - I use it for spraying the meatballs right before air frying. This step helps the meatballs to turn out crispy and juicy.

Variations

🥩 Different Meats: Use a mix of beef and pork mince, ground turkey, or ground chicken for different flavor profiles.

🌿 Herb Variations: Experiment with different herbs such as basil, oregano, or thyme instead of parsley for varying herbaceous notes.

🧀 Cheese Options: Substitute Parmesan cheese with other cheeses like shredded mozzarella, cheddar, or even feta for a different taste.

🌶️ Spice Levels: Adjust the amount of garlic powder or add crushed red pepper flakes for a spicier kick.

🍞 Breadcrumbs: Swap regular breadcrumbs with panko breadcrumbs for a lighter, crunchier texture. Gluten free crumbs will work here too.

🍅 Sauce Options: Serve with quick marinara sauce, creamy Alfredo sauce, buffalo sauce, or a tangy barbecue sauce for different flavor profiles.

I also love these with Green goddess dip!

How to Cook Air Fryer Meatballs

Prepare the Meatball Mixture: Mix all the ingredients except the meat in a bowl, then add the ground meat and combine to form about 20 meatballs, each the size of 2 tablespoons.

all ingredients in a bowl for meatballs.

ground beef mixed with seasonings for meatballs.

Preheat the Air Fryer: Heat the air fryer to 375°F.
Air Fry the Meatballs: Place the meatballs directly in a single layer in the air fryer, lightly spray with cooking oil. Don't overcrowd!

shaped meatballs on baking sheet ready for baking.

meatballs on baking sheet before cooking.

Air fry for 10-12 minutes until browned and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

golden brown meatballs in air fryer basket.

Rest and Serve: Let the meatballs rest for 3 minutes before serving.

Serve homemade air fryer meatballs with your favorite pasta sauce or white sauce.

🥶 How to Prepare Frozen Air Fryer Meatballs

Preparing frozen air fryer meatballs is easy and convenient and similar to the method above.

Here's how you can do it:

Preheat Your Air Fryer: Set the air fryer to 375°F to preheat while you prepare the meatballs.
Arrange Meatballs: Place the frozen meatballs in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding to ensure even cooking.
Cooking Time: Cook the frozen meatballs for 13-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through cooking for even browning.
Check Doneness: Once the cooking time is up, check the internal temperature of the meatballs. They should reach at least 165°F to ensure they are fully cooked.
Serve: Let the meatballs rest for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy them plain or with your favorite sauce.

What to Serve with Air Fryer Meatballs

Here are some tasty options to serve alongside air fryer meatballs:

Pasta: Serve with spaghetti or your favorite pasta and marinara sauce for a classic Italian meal.
Salad: Pair with a fresh green salad tossed with vinaigrette for a lighter option. I recommend cucumber tomato salad, cabbage salad or Green Goddess salad.
Vegetables: Serve with roasted vegetables like broccoli, carrots, or bell peppers for added nutrition.
Mashed Potatoes: Enjoy with creamy mashed potatoes for a comforting meal.
Sub Sandwiches: Make meatball subs by placing the meatballs in a crusty roll with marinara sauce and melted cheese.
Rice: Serve over rice pilaf, yellow rice or with a side of steamed rice for a complete meal.

Recipe tips

If you've made larger meatballs, extend the air frying time by 2 minutes.
Air fryers can vary, so check your meatballs a few minutes early to ensure they're cooked to perfection without becoming overdone. The internal temperature at the center should reach 165°F.
There's no need to flip the meatballs in the air fryer, but if you notice they're browning too quickly, gently shake the basket or turn them over halfway through cooking.
Rest Before Serving: Let the meatballs rest for a few minutes after cooking. This allows juices to be redistributed, resulting in juicier meatballs.
Uniform Size: To promote even cooking, ensure the meatballs are similar in size. Aim for meatballs around 1 to 1 ½ inches in diameter.
Single Layer: Arrange meatballs in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Overcrowding can lead to uneven cooking, so cook in batches if necessary.
Spray with Oil: Lightly spray or brush the meatballs with cooking oil before air frying. This helps them brown and crisp up nicely.

meatballs served with PASTA AND MARINARA SAUCE.

Storing Leftovers

To Store. Allow the meatballs to cool completely at room temperature before storing. Place leftover meatballs in an airtight container or zip-top bag. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

To Freeze. For longer storage, arrange cooled meatballs in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag, removing as much air as possible. Frozen meatballs can be stored for up to 3 months.

To Reheat, put the meatballs in a single layer in a preheated 350°F air fryer and heat for 4-6 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. Make sure the internal temperature reaches 165°F before serving.

If you use your air fryer often, you can also browse my Amazon storefront with my favorite air fryer tools and kitchen gadgets here, where I've collected many of the accessories I personally use.

More Air Fryer Favorites

This is the air fryer that I love to use for a lot of recipes. The size of the basket is always perfect for 2-3 servings.

Before You Head Out

If you gave this recipe a try, I'd be so thankful if you could leave a ★★★★★ rating and review below. It helps other readers, supports my work, and means the world to me. Thank you for being part of The Yummy Bowl family. Happy cooking! ❤️

Recipe Card

Julia

Extra Juicy Air fryer Meatballs

5 from 1 vote

Juicy air fryer meatballs with Italian seasoning, Parmesan, and bread crumbs. Perfect for spaghetti, subs, and more.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 15

Total Time 25

Servings: 20 meatballs

Course: Appetizer, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Calories: 86

Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients

1 ½ pound lean ground beef or a mix of ground beef + pork
⅓ cup bread crumbs
1 egg
2 tablespoons milk
2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped
1 tablespoon parmesan cheese grated
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
olive oil spray for cooking

Method

Mix all the ingredients except the meat in a bowl. Stir everything together.
⅓ cup bread crumbs, 1 egg, 2 tablespoons milk, 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, 1 tablespoon parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Add the ground meat and mix it all up until it's combined. Make about 20 meatballs, each about the size of 2 tablespoons.
1 ½ pound lean ground beef
Heat up the air fryer to 375°F.
Put the meatballs in the air fryer in a single layer. Lightly spray them with cooking oil.
Cook the meatballs for 10-12 minutes until they're browned and the inside reaches 165°F.
Let them sit for 3 minutes before you eat them. Serve with more freshly chopped parsley.

Nutrition

Calories: 86kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 7gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.2gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 32mgSodium: 102mgPotassium: 114mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 0.2gVitamin A: 52IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 17mgIron: 1mg

Notes

If you've made larger meatballs, simply extend the air frying time by an additional 2 minutes.
Air fryers can vary, so check your meatballs a few minutes early to ensure they're cooked to perfection without becoming overdone. The internal temperature at the center should reach 165°F.

Storing Leftovers

Cool Completely: Allow the meatballs to cool completely at room temperature before storing.
Refrigerate: Place leftover meatballs in an airtight container or zip-top bag. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freeze: For longer storage, arrange cooled meatballs in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag, removing as much air as possible. Frozen meatballs can be stored for up to 3 months.
Reheat: To reheat, thaw frozen meatballs overnight in the refrigerator if frozen, then microwave, bake, or reheat in the air fryer until heated through.

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Air Fryer Meatballs: Frequently Asked Questions

Do you put raw meat in an air fryer?

Yes, you can cook raw meatballs in an air fryer.

Cook the meatballs in air fryer and always make sure the internal temperature of the meatballs reaches 165°F.

Is it better to bake or fry meatballs?

Both baking and frying meatballs are tasty options. Baking is healthier because it uses less oil, while frying gives a crispy outside.

Air frying is a great method that combines both benefits, using minimal oil for a crispy texture.

Is it OK for meatballs to be a little pink?

No, meatballs should be fully cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F.

Eating pink or undercooked meat can be risky due to bacteria like E. coli or Salmonella.

Why are my meatballs purple?

Purple meatballs can happen because of a reaction between the meat's myoglobin and oxygen.

This can occur if the meat was stored improperly.

Why did my meatballs get hard?

Meatballs can get hard if you overmix the meat mixture, causing the proteins to pack tightly.

Using very lean ground meat or overcooking can also make meatballs dry and tough.

How long to heat fully cooked meatballs?

To reheat fully cooked meatballs in an air fryer, preheat it to 350°F.
Put the meatballs in a single layer and heat for 4-6 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.

Make sure the internal temperature reaches 165°F before serving.