Emilie Meyer
Ground beef meatballs are a quick and easy meal to make in an air fryer. They are tender, juicy, and flavorful, with a crispy exterior. The air fryer also saves time and clean-up and can cook meatballs in almost the time it takes to boil pasta. The cooking time depends on the number of meatballs, the temperature, and whether they are cooked from frozen. On average, they take 10-14 minutes to cook at 350-375°F, or 7 minutes at 400°F.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Meat | Ground beef |
| Other ingredients | Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, onion, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, parsley, milk |
| Air fryer temperature | 350-400°F |
| Cooking time | 7-14 minutes |
| Resting time | 3-5 minutes |
| Storage | Refrigerate for 3-4 days or freeze for up to 3 months |
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What You'll Learn
Preheat the air fryer
Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the cooking process. It ensures your food cooks evenly and can also reduce cooking time. Many people are unaware that preheating is necessary, but it is an easy step to incorporate into your cooking routine.
To preheat your air fryer, simply turn it on and set it to your desired temperature a few minutes before you are ready to cook your meatballs. The preheat time will depend on your air fryer model. Some recommend preheating for 3 to 4 minutes, while others may take longer. It is important to refer to your air fryer's instructions to determine the optimal preheat time and temperature for your specific model.
When making ground beef meatballs, the ideal temperature to preheat your air fryer to is between 350°F and 400°F (175°C to 200°C). This temperature range will ensure your meatballs are cooked thoroughly without drying them out. Once preheated, you can proceed to cook your meatballs for the recommended time, which is usually around 10 to 14 minutes, depending on the size of your meatballs and the specific recipe you are following.
It is worth noting that air fryers can vary slightly in terms of cooking time and temperature, so it is always a good idea to keep an eye on your meatballs during the cooking process to ensure they don't overcook or undercook. Additionally, if you are cooking a large batch of meatballs, you may need to cook them in batches to ensure even cooking.
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Prepare the meatballs
To prepare the meatballs, you will need the following ingredients:
- Ground beef
- Ground pork (optional)
- Parmesan cheese
- Bread crumbs
- Egg
- Garlic
- Italian seasoning
- Salt
- Pepper
- Onion (optional)
- Parsley (optional)
- Milk (optional)
Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl and mix until evenly combined. You can use a wooden spoon or your hands to mix the ingredients. If you are using milk, it is recommended to soak the breadcrumbs in milk for a few minutes before adding the other ingredients.
Once the mixture is combined, use your hands to roll it into balls. You can make them into 16, 20-25, or 24-28 meatballs, depending on your preference and the yield of the recipe. It is important to make the meatballs roughly the same size so that they cook evenly. You can use a cookie scoop or an ice cream scoop to help you achieve uniform sizes.
After shaping the meatballs, place them on a baking sheet or tray and chill them in the refrigerator for 20 minutes. This will help them hold their shape during cooking.
Now, your meatballs are ready to be cooked in the air fryer!
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Shape the meatballs
Shaping the meatballs is an important step in the meatball-making process. The shape and size of your meatballs will determine how evenly they cook, so it's important to get them as uniform as possible.
Start by combining all your ingredients in a large bowl and mixing them well. You can use your hands or a wooden spoon for this step. Once everything is combined, you can start shaping the mixture into individual meatballs.
There are a few different methods you can use to shape the meatballs. One popular method is to use a cookie scoop or ice cream scoop to portion out the mixture and then roll it into balls with your hands. This ensures that all your meatballs are roughly the same size, which is important for even cooking. If you don't have a scoop, you can also use a spoon to portion out the mixture, using about two tablespoons for each meatball.
Wet your hands before shaping the meatballs. This will help prevent the mixture from sticking to your hands and make it easier to form smooth, round meatballs.
Place the shaped meatballs onto a baking sheet or plate. If you're making a large batch, you may need to cook the meatballs in multiple batches to avoid overcrowding your air fryer. Leave some space between the meatballs on the baking sheet so that they're not touching. This will help them cook more evenly.
Once you've shaped all your meatballs, you can move on to the next step of cooking them in your air fryer!
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Cook the meatballs
Now that you've mixed your ingredients and formed your meatballs, it's time to cook them in the air fryer!
First, preheat your air fryer. The ideal temperature will depend on the specific model of your air fryer, but most sources recommend preheating to between 350°F and 400°F. Check your air fryer's instructions for the best temperature and preheating time.
Next, grease the air fryer basket to prevent sticking. Place the meatballs in a single layer in the basket, leaving space between them to allow air to circulate. This will help them cook evenly and prevent them from steaming instead of frying. If you have a small air fryer, you may need to cook the meatballs in batches.
Close the air fryer and let the meatballs cook for 10-14 minutes. The exact cooking time will depend on the size of your meatballs and your desired level of doneness. For well-done meatballs, cook until the centre reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. This can be checked using a meat thermometer.
Once the meatballs are cooked to your liking, remove them from the air fryer and let them rest for a few minutes before serving. This will allow the juices to redistribute and ensure that they are nice and tender.
Your ground beef meatballs are now ready to be enjoyed! Serve them as an appetizer, with pasta, or in a meatball sub.
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Rest and serve
Once you've cooked your ground beef meatballs in the air fryer, it's important to let them rest before serving. This allows the meatballs to cool slightly and ensures they are safe to eat. The ideal temperature for serving meatballs is around 165°F in the centre. Depending on the recipe and cooking time, you should let the meatballs rest for at least 3 to 5 minutes. This gives you time to prepare any side dishes or sauces to accompany your meal.
For example, you could serve your meatballs with pasta and a tomato or marinara sauce, or even an Asian-inspired sauce like bulgogi or katsu. Meatball subs are also a popular choice, where the meatballs are served in a roll with pasta sauce and mozzarella cheese, broiled until the cheese is melted. If you're looking for a more substantial meal, consider serving the meatballs with mashed potatoes, gravy, and garlic green beans, or make a meatball sandwich for lunch the next day with any leftovers.
If you have cooked a large batch, you can store leftover meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. They can also be frozen for a quick and convenient meal later on. Simply reheat them in the air fryer or microwave until warm, and enjoy your tender and juicy meatballs again!
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Frequently asked questions
Cooking times will vary depending on the temperature you set your air fryer to. For example, at 350°F, cook the meatballs for 10-14 minutes. At 375°F, cook for 10-12 minutes. At 400°F, cook for 10-12 minutes.
Meatballs should be crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. They should also reach an internal temperature of 165°F. Use a meat thermometer to check.
Combine ground beef with breadcrumbs, milk, egg, grated onion, garlic, parmesan, basil, oregano, pepper, and salt. Roll the mixture into balls and place them in the air fryer.
