Discover our delicious and easy air fryer meatballs recipe! Perfectly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, these meatballs are a healthy and quick dinner option for the whole family. Ready in minutes, they’re ideal for busy weeknights.
Cooking Meatballs in the air fryer is a great way to save time and money while getting a delicious family dinner.
I love meatballs, whether they are homemade or store-bought. They’re a big kids favourite and proper comfort food.
When it comes to cooking homemade meatballs quickly, the air fryer is a game changer.
Why I Love Air Fryer Meatballs
I love Air fryer meatballs recipes because:
- Air fryer spaghetti and meatballs are comforting and yummy!
- You can serve Air fryer meatballs with sauce, or try something different.
- Air fryer homemade meatballs are quick, easy and always a hit with the kids – the perfect school night dinner.
- Who doesn’t love air frying things?!
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Ingredients For Air Fryer Meatballs
When I make easy air fryer meatballs I use:
Minced Beef – These are air fryer beef meatballs. I use lean ground beef for my air fryer meatball recipe.
Red Onion
Grated Parmesan Cheese
Breadcrumbs – I’ve made these meatballs with panko breadcrumbs, golden breadcrumbs and fresh, homemade breadcrumbs. They all work.
Horseradish – When I make meatballs and beef burgers, I use horseradish instead of egg to bind my meat. It works just as well but adds plenty of flavour.
Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper
Pasta and Pasta sauce – You can make your sauce, or use a jar!
You’ll Also Need
All you need to make your meatballs is a sharp knife, chopping board, grater, and mixing bowl.
Then just a pan and colander for the pasta and sauce.
How to Air Fry Meatballs – Step-by-Step Instructions
Full, easy-to-follow instructions and quantities are available in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step One
Place all of the ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
Step Two
Use your hands to knead it into a ball, ensuring all ingredients are evenly mixed. For a while, it will seem as though the breadcrumbs and cheese are sticking together, keep kneading for a while and the colours and textures will become more even.
Step Three
Roll into 30-32 small, evenly sized balls. You can make them bigger (more like a golf ball) if you want, just remember they’ll take a few minutes longer to cook.
Step Four
Place in the fridge for 20 minutes. I just put mine on a plate and loosely cover it.
Step Five
Lightly oil the tray in your air fryer if needed. I tend not to do this, I don’t find things stick to my tray. But if you know that you need to, just rub the tray lightly with oil.
Step Six
Preheat your air fryer to 180 degrees C. If your air fryer doesn’t have a preheat setting, just start it for a minute or two before you add the meatballs.
Step Seven
Add the meatballs to the air fryer basket and air fry for 10-12 minutes, tossing halfway.
Step Eight
Use a food thermometer to make sure they are cooked through before serving. I recommend stabbing a few to double-check. They should be over 71 degrees C.
Step Nine
Serve with pasta and sauce.
Serving Suggestions
I serve my air fryer beef meatballs with pasta and a tomato-based pasta sauce. This is how my family enjoy meatballs.
But you can also serve them in pitta bread with salad and sauce, Swedish style with gravy and mashed potatoes, or even with chips and veggies. There’s no right way to serve meatballs.
Variations
There are a few things that you can do differently.
Add an Egg
Most recipes for meatballs and burgers use an egg to bind the meat. I never do. Egg works well as a binder, but it doesn’t bring anything else to the party.
I use horseradish instead. It adds a nice flavour while binding the meat.
If you prefer to use egg though, make that switch. Another option is adding a splash of red wine.
Add Some Spices
I simply season with salt and pepper. The parmesan and horseradish add some flavour, and I don’t think they need anything else. But you can experiment with herbs and spices if you want to.
Start with Italian Seasoning or paprika and see how it goes.
Leftovers
Leftover meatballs can be reheated in the microwave or your air fryer. If it’s got a reheat setting, use that, and use a food thermometer to make sure they are cooked before serving.
Storage
Store leftover air fryer meatballs in a sealed tub in the fridge for 2-3 days.
You can also freeze them for up to two months, thawing completely in the fridge before reheating, and use them within 24 hours.
FAQ
Yes, you can cook raw meatballs in an air fryer.
Around 10-12 minutes. Use a food thermometer to make sure they are cooked.
Minced beef meatballs should be over 71 degrees C before serving.
Yes, check the packet instructions.
Other Recipes
If you are looking for more air fryer recipes, you might also want to try:
- Katsu Chicken Burgers
- Chicken Fajitas
- Stuffed Peppers
- Corned Beef Hash
- Lasagne
- Enchiladas
- Cottage Pie
- Fish Pie
- Burgers
- Air Fryer Sausage Bake
Air Fryer Meatballs
Ingredients
- 500 g Beef Mince
- 1/2 Red Onion (very finely diced)
- 40 g Parmesan (finely grated)
- 40 g Breadcrumbs
- 1 Heaped Tablespoon Horseradish
- Pinch Salt and pepper
- Pasta and Pasta sauce (to serve – cooked to packet instructions, or homemade using your favourite recipe)
Instructions
- Place all of the ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
- Use your hands to knead it into a ball, ensuring all ingredients are evenly mixed.
- Roll into 30-32 small, evenly sized balls.
- Place in the fridge for 20 minutes.
- Lightly oil the tray in your air fryer if needed.
- Preheat your air fryer to 180 degrees C.
- Add the meatballs and air fry for 10-12 minutes, tossing halfway.
- Use a food thermometer to make sure they are cooked through (71 degrees C) before serving.
- Serve with pasta and sauce.
Notes
Any nutritional information is given as a general guide only and may not be accurate. The information is provided using an online calculator and is specific to my ingredients. Please make your own calculations if you want precise information.
