Cody Casey
Cooking meatballs in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and mess-free way to make a tasty meal. The air fryer seals in the moisture, creating a juicy, tender interior, while browning the exterior to a perfect crisp. This method is also healthier, as it doesn't require any extra oil or fat for cooking. You can use various types of ground meat, such as beef, pork, lamb, or chicken, and serve them with different sauces and side dishes. Making meatballs in an air fryer is a versatile and convenient option for a delicious meal.
How to cook meatballs in an air fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, Parmesan, garlic powder, salt, pepper, milk, Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, mustard powder |
| Meatball size | Golf-ball-sized |
| Number of meatballs | 15-28 |
| Air fryer temperature | 180C-375F |
| Cooking time | 10-15 minutes |
| Internal temperature | 165F |
| Resting time | 5 minutes |
| Sauces | Marinara, bulgogi sauce, katsu sauce, eel sauce |
| Storage | Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days |
| Freezing | Freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months |
| Reheating | Reheat in the air fryer or microwave until warm |
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What You'll Learn
Meatball ingredients and preparation
Air fryer meatballs are quick, easy, and mess-free to make. The insides stay tender and juicy while the outsides brown up nicely. You can make them with various types of ground meat (such as pork, lamb, chicken, beef, or veal) and serve them with various sauces and side dishes.
Meatball Ingredients:
- Ground meat: You can use various types of ground meat such as pork, lamb, chicken, beef, or a combination. Choose ground beef with some fat, like 90/10 or 85/15. Avoid using extra lean or fat-free ground beef, as it can dry out.
- Breadcrumbs: Regular breadcrumbs are fine, but panko breadcrumbs hold more flavor.
- Parmesan cheese: Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese, as it cooks better with the meat and has a better flavor.
- Egg: This helps to bind the ingredients together.
- Milk: Milk can be used to soak the breadcrumbs and add moisture to the meatballs.
- Spices and herbs: You can use garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, dried basil, cayenne pepper, mustard powder, salt, and pepper to taste.
- Worcestershire sauce: This adds a savory flavor to the meatballs.
Meatball Preparation:
- Mix the ingredients: In a large bowl, add the breadcrumbs, milk, egg, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, mustard powder, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and any other spices or herbs you wish to include. Mix together with your hands or a spoon until well combined. Then, add the ground meat and mix until everything is incorporated.
- Form the meatballs: Wet your hands and roll the mixture into meatballs. You can make them golf ball-sized or larger, depending on your preference. Place the formed meatballs on a tray or plate and chill them in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes to help them hold their shape during cooking.
- Preheat the air fryer: Set your air fryer to a temperature between 180°C to 190°C (350°F to 375°F).
- Cook the meatballs: Grease the air fryer basket to prevent sticking. Place a single layer of meatballs in the basket, making sure they are not overcrowded to allow for proper air circulation. Cook the meatballs for 10-12 minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F. You may need to cook them in batches or shake the basket halfway through cooking to ensure even cooking.
- Rest and serve: Remove the meatballs from the air fryer and let them rest for a few minutes before serving. Serve with your choice of sauce, such as marinara, and enjoy!
You can also freeze the uncooked or cooked meatballs for later. Simply place them in a freezer-safe container and store them in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, reheat them in the air fryer or microwave until warmed through.
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Air fryer settings and cooking time
To cook meatballs in an air fryer, you should first preheat the air fryer. Most sources recommend preheating to between 180-190°C (350-375°F).
Once preheated, you can place the meatballs in the air fryer basket. It is important not to overcrowd the basket, as this will prevent the meatballs from cooking evenly. It is recommended to cook the meatballs in batches to avoid overcrowding.
The cooking time will depend on the size of your meatballs and the power of your air fryer. Most sources recommend cooking meatballs in an air fryer for around 10 minutes, but this can vary depending on the size of your meatballs and the power of your air fryer. Some sources recommend cooking for as little as 8 minutes, while others suggest up to 15 minutes. It is important to use a meat thermometer to ensure that the meatballs have reached a safe internal temperature of at least 160°F.
If you are cooking frozen meatballs, you will need to increase the cooking time. Frozen meatballs will take around 12-15 minutes to cook, while thawed meatballs will take slightly less time.
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Serving suggestions and sauces
Air fryer meatballs are incredibly versatile and can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some serving suggestions and sauce pairings to consider:
Serving Suggestions:
- Meatball Subs: Air fryer meatballs can be served in a sub or hoagie roll, topped with pasta sauce and mozzarella cheese. Broil until the cheese is melted and golden brown.
- Pasta: Meatballs are a classic pairing with pasta. Cook your favourite pasta and add a generous helping of your preferred pasta sauce. You can also drizzle the sauce over the meatballs before serving.
- Appetizer: Air fryer meatballs make great bite-sized appetizers or snacks. Serve them on a platter with toothpicks and a side of your favourite sauce for dipping.
- Salads: For a lighter option, serve the meatballs on a bed of mixed greens with a vinaigrette dressing.
- Mashed Potatoes: Meatballs go well with mashed potatoes and a side of gravy. Add a vegetable side dish like garlicky green beans or roasted vegetables.
- Soups and Stews: Air fryer meatballs can be added to soups and stews. Try them in a Spaghetti Carbonara or Italian Wedding Soup.
Sauces:
- Marinara Sauce: A classic choice for meatballs, especially when served with pasta.
- Asian Sauces: For an Asian twist, try coating the meatballs in bulgogi, katsu, or eel sauce before cooking.
- Italian-inspired Sauces: Use Italian-flavoured breadcrumbs in your meatball mixture or pair them with a bright, flavourful tomato sauce.
- Gravy: When serving meatballs with mashed potatoes, a generous helping of gravy is a must.
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Storing and reheating meatballs
Storing your meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator will ensure they stay fresh for 3-4 days. If you wish to keep them for longer, you can freeze them in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
To reheat your meatballs, simply place them in the air fryer or microwave until they are warmed through. Reheating in the air fryer will take around 5 minutes at 190C/375F, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even heating. If you are reheating from frozen, this will take a little longer, around 12-15 minutes at the same temperature. You can also reheat frozen meatballs in the air fryer at 320 degrees for 3 to 4 minutes. For extra crispy meatballs, cook for an additional 2 minutes.
If you are reheating your meatballs in a sauce, you can do this on the stovetop or in the oven. On the stovetop, this will take around 10-15 minutes on a medium-low heat. In the oven, pour the sauce and meatballs into an oven-proof dish and bake for 10-15 minutes at 375F.
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Meatball size and cooking time
The cooking time for meatballs in an air fryer depends on the size of the meatballs, the number of meatballs being cooked, and the style of the air fryer. Most recipes recommend cooking meatballs in the air fryer for 10–15 minutes at 190°C/375°F.
One source recommends cooking meatballs for 10–12 minutes at 180°C, while another suggests 8 minutes, shaking the basket, and then cooking for another 2 minutes. If you are cooking frozen meatballs, you will need to increase the cooking time to 12–15 minutes.
To ensure even cooking, it is important to make sure that the meatballs are all roughly the same size. One source suggests making meatballs the size of golf balls, while another recommends making them the size of billiard balls. If you are using a basket-style air fryer, it is also important to not overcrowd the basket, as this will prevent the meatballs from frying evenly.
The best way to ensure that your meatballs are fully cooked is to use a meat thermometer. Meatballs are considered safe to eat when they reach an internal temperature of 160°F, but most sources recommend cooking them to an internal temperature of 165°F.
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Frequently asked questions
It usually takes 10-15 minutes to cook meatballs in an air fryer.
Set your air fryer to 180C-190C/375F.
Mix your ingredients in a bowl and roll the mixture into balls. Place the meatballs in the air fryer basket and cook for 10-12 minutes or until they reach an internal temperature of 165F.
You can use a variety of ground meats, such as beef, pork, lamb, chicken, or veal. Other ingredients include breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, eggs, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, mustard powder, and Italian seasoning.
Yes, you can freeze cooked meatballs for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply place them in the air fryer or microwave until warmed through.
