Ella Walter
Air fryer meatballs are a quick, easy, and tasty meal that can be served in a variety of ways. They are also a healthier alternative to frying meatballs, as they require very little oil. The cooking time for meatballs in an air fryer depends on the size of the meatballs and the number of meatballs being cooked. On average, it takes around 10 minutes to cook meatballs in an air fryer, but this can range from 7 to 15 minutes. It is important to ensure that the meatballs are cooked thoroughly, and some recipes recommend using a meat thermometer to check that the meatballs have reached a safe internal temperature.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Meat | Lean ground beef, ground pork, ground chicken, ground turkey, lamb, or vegan |
| Cheese | Parmesan |
| Breadcrumbs | Italian-seasoned, panko, or plain |
| Eggs | 1 or 2 |
| Seasoning | Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, red pepper flakes |
| Other ingredients | Milk, water, olive oil, garlic, onion, parsley, shallots, ricotta cheese, sour cream, butter |
| Air fryer temperature | 350-400°F |
| Cooking time | 10-12 minutes |
What You'll Learn
How to make meatballs in an air fryer
Ingredients
You can use any meatball mix that you like. Here is a list of possible ingredients:
- Ground beef
- Ground pork
- Parmesan cheese
- Breadcrumbs (Italian-seasoned or plain)
- Eggs
- Milk or water
- Garlic (fresh or powder)
- Onion (fresh or powder)
- Salt and pepper
- Parsley (fresh or dry)
- Italian seasoning
- Olive oil
- Sour cream or ricotta cheese
- Butter
- Shallots
Method
- Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl and mix well.
- Wet your hands and shape the mixture into meatballs.
- Preheat your air fryer to 375-400°F.
- Place the meatballs in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded.
- Lightly spray or brush the basket with olive oil or avocado oil to prevent sticking.
- Cook the meatballs at 375-400°F for 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
- Allow the meatballs to rest for a few minutes before serving.
Tips
- Make sure all the meatballs are roughly the same size so they cook evenly.
- Don't stack or overlap the meatballs in the air fryer. Cook them in smaller batches if needed.
- Use a meat thermometer to check that the meatballs have reached a safe internal temperature of at least 160°F.
- You can add diced vegetables such as onions, bell peppers, mushrooms, and zucchini for extra flavour and moisture.
- Try using flavoured breadcrumbs, such as Italian-style, for extra flavour.
- You can coat the meatballs in a sauce before cooking, such as bulgogi, katsu, or eel sauce for an Asian twist.
Storage
- Store leftover meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Reheat in the air fryer or microwave until warm.
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How to store air fryer meatballs
Air fryer meatballs are a quick and easy meal to make, and they're even faster to reheat! Here's how to store them:
Refrigeration
To store your air fryer meatballs in the refrigerator, allow them to cool to room temperature, then place them in an airtight container or a zippered bag. They will stay fresh for up to 4 days.
Freezing
If you want to freeze your air fryer meatballs, it's best to do so immediately after cooking. Place the cooked meatballs on a baking sheet and put them in the freezer for 4 hours. Once they're frozen solid, transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag. They will stay fresh in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Reheating
You can reheat your air fryer meatballs in the air fryer or in the microwave. If using the air fryer, reheat them at 190C/375F for 5 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. If using the microwave, heat them for a minute at a time on high power until they are heated through. You can also place them on a baking sheet and put them under the broiler for a few minutes until they are crisp again.
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How to reheat air fryer meatballs
There are a few ways to reheat your air fryer meatballs, depending on whether they are frozen or not, and how many you are reheating.
If you are reheating a single portion of meatballs (i.e., not frozen), you can use a microwave and heat them for a minute at a time on high until they are heated through. You can also place them on a baking sheet and put them under the broiler for a few minutes until they are crispy again.
If you are reheating a larger batch of meatballs, or if they are frozen, you can reheat them in the air fryer. If they are frozen, cook them at 375°F for 10-12 minutes or until they are cooked through. If they are not frozen, cook them at 375°F for 8-10 minutes.
You can also reheat frozen meatballs in the oven. Bake them at 400°F for 12-16 minutes until cooked through, shaking the basket at the 10-minute mark.
It is important to note that when reheating meatballs, you should avoid overcooking them. Use a meat thermometer to check that they have reached a safe internal temperature of at least 160°F.
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What to serve with air fryer meatballs
Air fryer meatballs are a quick and easy meal to make, and they go well with a variety of dishes. Here are some ideas for what to serve with them:
Pasta
A classic combination is meatballs and spaghetti. Heat up some marinara sauce, and you've got a perfect spaghetti and meatballs dinner. You could also try serving them with pasta in a carbonara or Italian wedding soup.
Bread
Cheesy breadsticks go well with meatballs, as does a meatball sub.
Salads
A brightly flavoured tossed salad can accompany meatballs, or you could try a heartier salad like a Greek salad.
Soups and Stews
Fresh or frozen meatballs can be added to soups or stews. Try them in an Italian wedding soup or a minestrone.
Sides
Air fryer meatballs can be served as an appetizer or as part of a main course with sides such as mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles.
Other Meatballs
If you're making a meatball-centric meal, you could serve air fryer meatballs with other types of meatballs such as lamb, chicken, or vegan meatballs.
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Air fryer temperature and time for meatballs
The air fryer is a great way to cook meatballs, giving them a crispy exterior while keeping the inside tender and juicy.
Air Fryer Temperature
Most recipes recommend preheating your air fryer to around 375°F-400°F(190°C). However, some recipes suggest cooking at a lower temperature of 350°F (175°C).
Air Fryer Cooking Time
The cooking time for meatballs in an air fryer is generally around 10-12 minutes, though some recipes suggest 7-9 minutes is sufficient. It's important to ensure the meatballs are cooked through to a safe internal temperature of at least 160°F, with some recipes recommending 165°F.
Tips for Best Results
- Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook the meatballs in batches if necessary, leaving space for air to circulate.
- Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature and avoid overcooking.
- For even cooking, shape the meatballs to be roughly the same size.
- Halfway through the cooking time, shake the basket or turn the meatballs to ensure even browning.
- Lightly spray or brush the basket with oil to prevent sticking and encourage browning.
- Don't use cooking spray as this can damage the non-stick coating. Instead, invest in a good-quality oil mister.
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Frequently asked questions
It takes around 10 minutes to cook meatballs in an air fryer. However, the time may vary depending on the size of the meatballs and the specific air fryer model.
Yes, it is recommended to preheat your air fryer to around 350-400°F (175-200°C) before adding the meatballs.
You can use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature of the meatballs. Meatballs are typically considered done when they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Alternatively, you can cut a meatball in half to ensure that the meat is fully cooked.
Yes, you can cook frozen meatballs in an air fryer. However, they will take longer to cook, usually around 12-15 minutes at 375°F (190°C).
