Master the art of perfect air fryer meatballs! One little trick ensures evenly cooked, irresistibly juicy meatballs every time.
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Want to know the secret behind delicious air fryer meatballs cooked to juicy perfection every time? It’s all about the size!
Just scoop the mixture with an ice cream or cookie scoop to form your meatballs. It’s such an easy step, but when all the meatballs are the exact same size, you can guarantee they all cook at the same rate.
No more guessing if the meatballs are done or finding some overcooked while others are still pink in the middle. With this trick, each one will be beautifully browned on the outside, tender on the inside, and ready to be devoured.
So let’s grab that scoop and get ready to whip up some of the best meatballs in the air fryer you’ve ever had! Whether it’s spaghetti night or you’re just craving a tasty snack, the whole family is guaranteed to love them.
What you’ll need for this Meatballs Air Fryer Recipe
- Ground beef — 70% or 80% lean works best
- Breadcrumbs
- Parmesan cheese
- Onion
- Garlic
- Egg
- Italian seasoning — You can also use chopped fresh Italian herbs
- Salt and pepper
How to make Meatballs in Air Fryer
A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.
STEP ONE: Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees F.
STEP TWO: Mix the ground beef, breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, onion, garlic, egg, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper into a bowl until just evenly combined.
STEP THREE: Scoop up roughly a quarter of the meat to create a 2-inch meatball, then place it in the air fryer basket or air fryer tray in a single layer.
STEP FOUR: Air fry meatballs for 10-12 minutes, or until the meat’s internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F using a meat thermometer.
How long to cook meatballs in Air Fryer
Air frying meatballs take just 10 to 12 minutes in to cook in the air fryer.
Large meatballs – add about 2 minutes more for larger meatballs
Mini meatballs – these will cook in about 6 to 8 minutes depending on size
Tips for Meatballs in the Air Fryer
- Use a ground beef leanness between 70% to 80% to allow the meat to retain moisture — 90% lean ground beef tends to taste more dry
- Use a food processor to dice up the onion and garlic into small and consistently-sized pieces
- Don’t overmix to get a moist and juicy inside and avoid tough air fryer meatballs
- Use a medium ice cream scoop or cookie scoop to get consistently-sized fresh meatballs that cook evenly
- Rotate the air fried meatballs after 5 minutes of cooking or use a silicone liner to keep the meat from sticking
What to serve with Air Fryer Meatballs
- Instant Pot Garlic Mashed Potatoes
- Air Fryer Garlic Bread
- Pasta and Marinara Sauce
- Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts
- Air Fryer Diced Potatoes
- Air Fryer Asparagus
- Air Fryer Carrots
Air Fry Meatballs variations
- Use a different ground meat such as ground chicken, ground turkey, ground lamb, or even italian sausage — you can even mix and max the protein!
- Use fresh basil, rosemary, thyme, and oregano and freshly grated Parmesan cheese for a fresher Italian meatball flavor
- Stuff the meatballs with mozzarella cheese wrapping the ground beef around the cheese for cheesy variety
How to store and reheat Air Fryer Meatballs
Store leftover meatballs in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze up to 6 months in freezer-safe container.
- Preheat the air fryer to 320 degrees.
- Place the cooked meatballs in the air fryer and air fry meatballs for 3 to 4 minutes, until they are warmed thoroughly.
Reheating frozen Meatballs in the Air Fryer
- Preheat the air fryer to 320 degrees F.
- Place frozen meatballs in the basket or tray, cooking meatballs in the air fryer for 9 to 11 minutes, until they reach 165 degrees F using an Instant Read Thermometer.
More Meatball Recipes
- Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs
- Air Fryer Meatball Sub
- Air Fryer Frozen Meatballs
- Frozen Meatballs in the Instant Pot
- Recipe for Meatballs Without Breadcrumbs
- BBQ Grape Jelly Meatballs
More Air Fryer Beef Recipes
- Air Fryer Meatloaf
- Air Fryer London Broil
- Frozen Burgers in the Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Ground Beef Recipe
- Air Fryer Hamburgers
- Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs
- Air Fryer Skirt Steak (Carne Asada)
- Air Fryer Roast Beef
- Air Fryer Steak Bites
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Meatballs (Air Fryer)
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup onion diced
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 egg
- 2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning or 1/4 cup fresh Italian herbs, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees.
- Add ground beef, Italian breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, onion, garlic, egg, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to a bowl.
- Mix to combine ingredients by using as little movement as possible.
- Form the ground beef mixture into 2-inch meatballs and place in the air fryer in a single layer, not touching.
- Cook the meatballs for 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. Meatballs are done when the internal temperature is 165 degrees.
- Remove the meatballs from the air fryer and enjoy immediately, store in the fridge for up to 3 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Notes
Nutrition
This nutrition information is based on the exact products I used in this recipe. Brands and sizes of products could alter exact nutrition and should always be calculated independently.
These meatballs are yummy
So glad you enjoyed them, Matt! 🙂