Tiffany Haney
Air fryers are a quick and easy way to cook juicy and tender beef meatballs. They require very little oil and can be cooked in under 15 minutes, making them a convenient option for a weeknight dinner. The meatballs can be served with pasta, in a meatball sub, or as an appetizer with your favourite sauce.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Meat | Lean ground beef, ground pork, veal, turkey, chicken |
| Cheese | Parmesan |
| Breadcrumbs | Store-bought or homemade |
| Egg | Holds the meatballs together |
| Seasoning | Fresh garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, onion powder, basil, oregano, celery salt, parsley, red chili flakes |
| Other ingredients | Onion, milk, beef broth, parsley, olive oil |
| Meatball size | 1.5-2 inches |
| Number of meatballs | 12-28 |
| Air fryer temperature | 350-400°F (175-200°C) |
| Cooking time | 10-14 minutes |
| Resting time | 3-5 minutes |
| Reheating time | 5 minutes at 375°F (190°C) |
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What You'll Learn
Meatball ingredients
To make beef meatballs in an air fryer, you will need the following ingredients:
- Ground beef: Opt for lean ground beef to ensure your meatballs are juicy and flavourful.
- Ground pork: Combining ground beef with ground pork creates a perfect blend of flavours and ensures the meatballs are juicy.
- Parmesan cheese: Adds flavour and creaminess to the meatballs.
- Bread crumbs: Use store-bought or make your own. Breadcrumbs help keep the meatballs moist.
- Egg: This lends moisture and helps hold the meatballs together.
- Seasoning: Fresh garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper are commonly used to season beef meatballs. You can also add onion powder, dried basil, red chilli flakes, and parsley.
- Onion: Dice the onion into small, similarly-sized pieces to ensure even cooking.
- Milk: You can soak the breadcrumbs in milk before incorporating them into the meat mixture for added moisture and tenderness.
You can also experiment with different types of meat, such as ground turkey, chicken, or veal. Additionally, you can try adding other ingredients like mozzarella cheese or ground almonds.
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Meatball preparation
To prepare the meatballs, you will need ground beef, onion, garlic, Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, parsley, salt, pepper, egg, and milk. Some recipes suggest adding oregano, basil, celery salt, and red chilli flakes for extra flavour. You can also add in ground pork, veal, or chicken if you like.
Combine all the ingredients in a medium-sized bowl and mix well. Avoid overmixing, as this can make the meatballs tough. You can use your hands or a spoon for this step. If you want to add extra moisture to your meatballs, try soaking the breadcrumbs in milk before adding them to the mixture.
Once all the ingredients are combined, it's time to shape the mixture into meatballs. You can use your hands or a cookie scoop to do this. Make sure the meatballs are all roughly the same size so they cook evenly. Grease your hands with oil to prevent the mixture from sticking to your hands.
Place the meatballs on a baking sheet or plate. You can freeze them at this stage if you want to cook them later.
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Air fryer settings
Firstly, preheat your air fryer. Most recipes recommend preheating to 350°F (175°C) or 375°F (190°C). However, some recipes suggest a higher temperature of 400°F. Preheating ensures even cooking and helps achieve a crispy exterior.
Once preheated, it's time to place your meatballs inside. Arrange them in a single layer, ensuring they are evenly spaced with some room between each meatball. This spacing is vital for proper air circulation, helping the meatballs cook evenly and preventing them from steaming instead of frying.
Close the air fryer and set the timer. For most recipes, cooking the meatballs for 10-12 minutes at 375°F (190°C) is sufficient. However, if you are cooking at a lower temperature of 350°F (175°C), you may need to cook them for a slightly longer duration, around 14 minutes.
Halfway through the cooking process, open the air fryer and shake the basket to turn the meatballs. This step ensures even browning and prevents them from sticking to the basket.
After the timer goes off, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the meatballs. They should have reached a safe internal temperature of at least 160°F (73.9°C) to 165°F. If they haven't reached this temperature, cook them for a few more minutes until they do.
Finally, remove the meatballs from the air fryer and let them rest for a few minutes before serving. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring juicy and tender meatballs.
By following these air fryer setting instructions, you'll be able to cook beef meatballs that are perfectly cooked on the inside and crispy on the outside.
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Cooking time
The cooking time for beef meatballs in an air fryer varies depending on the number of meatballs, the size of the meatballs, and the temperature of the air fryer.
For 12 meatballs, the cooking time is 12 minutes at 400°F. If you are cooking 16 meatballs, the cooking time will be 12-14 minutes at 380°F. The meatballs are cooked when they are browned and the centre of each meatball reaches 165°F.
If you are cooking 24-28 meatballs, the cooking time will be 10-12 minutes at 375°F. The meatballs should reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
For smaller batches of meatballs, it is recommended to cook them in the air fryer for 8 minutes, shake the basket, and then cook for an additional 2 minutes. The meatballs should be cooked for a total of about 10 minutes at 350°F.
It is important to note that air fryers can vary slightly, so it is recommended to check on the meatballs a couple of minutes early to ensure they don't overcook.
Additionally, if you are cooking frozen meatballs, the cooking time will be longer. Frozen meatballs will need to be cooked for 12-15 minutes at 375°F.
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Serving suggestions
Beef meatballs cooked in an air fryer are a versatile dish that can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some serving suggestions to consider:
Main Course
Beef meatballs can be served as a main course, paired with a variety of sides or accompaniments. Here are some ideas:
- Spaghetti: This is a classic combination. Serve the meatballs on a bed of spaghetti, topped with a generous helping of marinara sauce.
- Pasta: While spaghetti is a popular choice, you can also serve the meatballs with other types of pasta, such as penne, fusilli, or linguine.
- Meatball Sub: Try serving the meatballs in a sub or hoagie roll, topped with melted cheese and your choice of sauces, such as marinara or pesto.
- Salad: For a lighter option, pair the meatballs with a bright and flavorful tossed salad.
- Soup: Meatballs can be added to soups or stews. Try them in a Spaghetti Carbonara or Italian Wedding Soup.
- Mashed Potatoes: Serve the meatballs with a side of creamy mashed potatoes and gravy.
- Roasted Vegetables: Pair the meatballs with roasted vegetables, such as Brussels sprouts.
Appetizer or Snack
Air fryer beef meatballs also make a great appetizer or snack. Here are some suggestions:
- Toothpicks: Simply place a toothpick in each meatball and serve them as bite-sized appetizers.
- Sauces: Offer a variety of dipping sauces on the side, such as marinara, bulgogi sauce, katsu sauce, or your preferred sauce.
- Cheesy Breadsticks: For an indulgent treat, serve the meatballs with cheesy breadsticks on the side.
Leftovers
If you have any leftover meatballs, here are some ideas for using them:
- Meatball Sandwich: Use the leftover meatballs to make a delicious meatball sandwich for lunch the next day.
- Freeze: Cooked meatballs can be frozen and then reheated in the air fryer for a quick and easy meal later on.
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Frequently asked questions
It takes about 10-12 minutes to cook beef meatballs in an air fryer. However, some recipes suggest cooking for 8 minutes, shaking the basket, and then cooking for another 2 minutes.
The air fryer should be preheated to 350-375°F (175-190°C). However, some recipes suggest cooking at 400°F (204°C).
Combine ground beef, onion, garlic, Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, parsley, salt, pepper, egg, and milk in a bowl. Form the mixture into meatballs, place them in the air fryer basket, and cook according to the timings above.
Make sure the meatballs are roughly the same size and placed in a single layer in the air fryer basket with space between them for air to circulate.
Yes, you can store cooked meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
