Ella Walter
Cooking meatballs in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and mess-free way to make a tasty meal. The air fryer seals in moisture, resulting in meatballs that are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. You can use various types of ground meat, such as beef, pork, lamb, chicken, or veal, and serve them with different sauces and side dishes. Air fryer meatballs are versatile and can be used as a main meal or in other recipes, such as meatball subs or pasta dishes. They can also be made ahead of time and frozen for later use.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, Parmesan cheese, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, garlic powder, mustard powder |
| Meatball size | Golf-ball-sized, billiard-ball-sized |
| Number of meatballs | 15-28 |
| Air fryer temperature | 180-190C/350-375F |
| Cooking time | 8-15 minutes |
| Resting time | 5 minutes |
| Reheating time | 5 minutes |
| Freezing time | 4 hours |
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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 use various types of ground meat, such as chicken, pork, lamb, beef, or even a mixture of beef, pork, and veal.
- Ground meat of your choice
- Breadcrumbs (regular or panko)
- Parmesan cheese (freshly grated)
- Egg
- Garlic
- Italian seasoning
- Salt
- Worcestershire sauce
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Mustard powder
You can also add other ingredients such as milk, buttermilk, herbs, or spices like cayenne pepper to intensify the Italian flavors. If you want to get creative, you can even add a small ball of mozzarella cheese in the center of each meatball.
Once you have gathered your ingredients, follow these steps for preparation:
- Combine all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl and mix well until they are evenly combined.
- Use your hands or a small ice cream scoop to form the mixture into meatballs of uniform size. Aim for a size similar to golf balls or billiard balls.
- Place the meatballs on a tray or plate and chill them in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes to help them hold their shape.
- If you want to freeze the meatballs for later, you can do so at this stage. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze for about 4 hours before transferring them to a freezer-safe container.
- When you are ready to cook, preheat your air fryer to a temperature between 180°C to 375°F (depending on your preference and the model of your air fryer).
- Grease the air fryer basket to prevent sticking.
- Place the meatballs in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not overcrowded.
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Air fryer settings and cooking times
The first step is to preheat your air fryer. Most sources recommend preheating to 350°F (175°C), but some suggest 375°F (190°C). One source recommends heating to 180°C.
Next, you'll want to prepare your meatballs. Roll the mixture into balls—most sources recommend making them roughly the same size so they cook evenly. The number of meatballs you make will depend on the size you want them, but sources suggest making between 15 and 28 meatballs.
Now, you're ready to cook the meatballs. Grease the air fryer basket and place a single layer of meatballs inside. It's important not to overcrowd the basket, so you may need to cook the meatballs in batches. Set the air fryer between 350°F and 375°F and cook for 10 to 15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. The meatballs are done when they reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
Finally, let the meatballs cool for about 5 minutes before serving.
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Meatball sauces and serving suggestions
Sauces
There are many different sauces that you can pair with your meatballs. Here are some ideas:
- Marinara sauce: You can buy this at a store or make it at home. To make it at home, mix together whole peeled tomatoes, yellow onions, garlic, olive oil, oregano, red pepper flakes, and salt. Let it simmer for about 45 minutes.
- Swedish meatball sauce: This sauce is thick, creamy, and buttery. It includes Worcestershire, soy sauce, Dijon mustard, beef broth, and chicken broth.
- Sweet and sour meatball sauce: This sauce is made with ketchup and grape jelly.
- Mushroom gravy: This sauce pairs well with any type of meatball.
- Parmesan cream sauce: This sauce is made with Parmesan cheese, garlic, and heavy cream.
- Jaeger Sauce: This is a German mushroom gravy with umami, herby, and savory flavors.
- Asian-inspired sauces: Try coating your meatballs in bulgogi sauce, katsu sauce, or eel sauce.
Serving Suggestions
- With pasta or salad
- As an appetizer with toothpicks
- In a meatball sub
- With mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles
- With green rice and drizzled with homemade green sauce (aji verde)
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Storing and reheating meatballs
Storing your meatballs correctly will ensure they stay fresh and tasty. If you have cooked too many meatballs, let them cool to room temperature, then place them in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for 3–4 days.
If you want to keep them for longer, you can freeze them. Place your cooked meatballs in a freezer-safe container and store them in the freezer for up to 3 months.
When you are ready to eat your stored meatballs, you can reheat them in the air fryer or the microwave. If you are using the air fryer, preheat it to 320–350°F and cook the meatballs for 3–7 minutes, depending on their size. You can also reheat frozen meatballs in the air fryer. Spread them out in a single layer in the basket and cook for 9–15 minutes, depending on their size.
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Air fryer type and cooking in batches
Air fryers come in different styles and sizes, and while most recipes should work with any air fryer, it's worth noting that some recipes have only been tested with a particular type of air fryer. The most popular type in America and Canada is the basket-style air fryer.
If you're cooking for a crowd, you'll need to work in batches. Using a scoop or spoon to make sure your meatballs are all the same size will help them cook evenly. You can also shake the basket halfway through to move them around.
It's important to remember that different air fryers may cook faster or be able to cook more meatballs at once, so it's crucial to go by the internal temperature of the meatballs, rather than relying solely on suggested cooking times. Always use a meat thermometer to ensure your meatballs are fully cooked and to prevent overcooking or undercooking.
If you're cooking frozen meatballs, you'll need to increase the cooking time. You can cook them from frozen, but it's recommended to thaw them in the fridge first.
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Frequently asked questions
It takes around 10 minutes to cook meatballs in an air fryer. However, the cooking time may vary depending on the size of the meatballs and the desired level of doneness.
Preheat your air fryer to between 350 and 380 degrees Fahrenheit.
Combine the ingredients, such as ground meat, breadcrumbs, and seasonings, in a mixing bowl. Then, shape the mixture into balls and place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
Yes, you can cook frozen meatballs in an air fryer. Spread them in a single layer and cook for 8 to 12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
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