Air-Fryer Meatballs: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious!

Cooking meatballs in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make a tasty meal. The process is simple: combine the ingredients, shape the mixture into balls, and then air fry for around 10 minutes. You can serve these meatballs over spaghetti, in a sandwich, or with mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles.

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating the air fryer is an important step in the process of cooking meatballs. It ensures that the appliance is ready to cook the meatballs evenly and efficiently. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to preheat your air fryer for cooking meatballs:

• Set the temperature: Adjust the temperature of your air fryer to the desired setting. Most recipes recommend preheating the air fryer to around 350-375 degrees Fahrenheit (180-190 degrees Celsius). This temperature range is ideal for cooking meatballs thoroughly without drying them out.
• Allow time for preheating: After setting the temperature, give the air fryer adequate time to preheat. Depending on your air fryer model, this process can take a few minutes. Refer to your air fryer's user manual to determine the recommended preheating time.
• Check the temperature: Once the preheating time has elapsed, confirm that the air fryer has reached the desired temperature. Some air fryers have a preheat setting or indicator light to notify you when it's ready. If your air fryer doesn't have this feature, you can use an instant-read thermometer to check the temperature inside the cooking chamber.
• Prepare the meatballs: While the air fryer is preheating, you can use this time to prepare the meatballs. Combine the ingredients, shape the mixture into balls, and ensure they are evenly sized for consistent cooking. This way, when the air fryer is preheated, you can immediately place the meatballs inside and begin cooking.

By following these steps, you'll ensure that your air fryer is properly preheated and ready to cook juicy and delicious meatballs. Remember to refer to your specific air fryer model's instructions for any additional guidelines or recommendations.

Prepare the meatballs

To prepare the meatballs, start by adding all the ingredients to a mixing bowl and mix well. Next, wet your hands and roll out the mixture into 20-28 meatballs. Make sure they are all roughly the same size so they cook evenly. Transfer the meatballs to a tray or plate and chill for 20 minutes.

Shape the meatballs

Shaping the meatballs is an important step in the cooking process. Firstly, you should wet your hands to roll out and prepare the meatballs. The number of meatballs you make will depend on the size you want them to be. For example, you can make 24-28 meatballs or 20-25 meatballs. It is important to make them all roughly the same size so they cook evenly. Once you have rolled the mixture into balls, transfer them to a tray or plate and chill for 20 minutes. This will help them keep their shape when you cook them.

Cook the meatballs

To cook the meatballs, first preheat your air fryer to 180-190C/350-380F. Grease the air fryer basket and place a single layer of meatballs inside. Cook the meatballs for 10-14 minutes, shaking the basket after 8 minutes, until they are golden and cooked through. The centre of the meatballs should reach an internal temperature of 165F. Rest the meatballs for 3-5 minutes before serving.

Rest and serve

Once your meatballs are cooked, let them rest for at least 3-5 minutes before serving. This will allow them to cool slightly and ensure they are the perfect temperature to eat.

You can serve your meatballs over spaghetti with a classic marinara sauce, or as an appetiser, in a sandwich, or with mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles.

Leftover meatballs can be stored in an airtight container or zippered bag in the fridge for up to four days, or in the freezer for up to a month.

Frequently asked questions