Quick and Easy Air Fryer Meatballs Recipe
This Quick and Easy Air Fryer Meatballs recipe delivers tender, flavorful meatballs cooked to perfection using an air fryer. Made with lean ground beef and a blend of savory ingredients, these meatballs are perfect as a main dish or appetizer, offering a healthier alternative to traditional frying methods with a crispy exterior and juicy interior.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: About 16 meatballs 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1/2 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup Italian breadcrumbs
- 2 Tablespoons parsley, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup milk
Instructions
- Prepare the meatball mixture: In a medium-sized bowl, combine the ground beef, diced onion, minced garlic, grated parmesan cheese, Italian breadcrumbs, chopped parsley, salt, pepper, egg, and milk. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
- Shape the meatballs: Using your hands or a spoon, form the mixture into 2-inch sized meatballs ensuring consistent size for even cooking.
- Arrange in air fryer: Place the formed meatballs in a single, even layer in the basket of your air fryer. Avoid overcrowding to allow proper air circulation.
- Cook the meatballs: Set the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and cook the meatballs for 10 to 12 minutes, or until they are cooked through and reach an internal temperature of 160°F, turning halfway if necessary for even browning.
- Serve: Once cooked, carefully remove the meatballs from the air fryer and serve immediately with your preferred sauce or side dishes.
Notes
- For a juicier texture, you can substitute milk with half-and-half or cream.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure meatballs are fully cooked and safe to eat.
- Breadcrumbs can be swapped with gluten-free breadcrumbs to make the recipe gluten-free.
- Leftover meatballs can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage.
- If your air fryer basket is small, cook the meatballs in batches to avoid overcrowding.
Keywords: easy meatballs, air fryer meatballs, quick dinner, lean ground beef recipe, Italian meatballs, healthy meatballs
