Emilie Meyer
Turkey meatballs are a delicious, healthy, and versatile meal that can be made in an air fryer in under 20 minutes. Requiring minimal clean-up, this easy recipe involves combining ground turkey with herbs and seasonings, forming the mixture into meatballs, and air frying. The result is a juicy, tender, and flavourful dish that can be served in a variety of ways, including as an appetizer, with pasta, or in a sub sandwich.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Preheat temperature | 400°F |
| Preheat time | 5 minutes |
| Meatball size | 1-1.5 inches |
| Meatball number | 10-15 |
| Cooking temperature | 400°F |
| Cooking time | 8-12 minutes |
| Internal temperature | 156°F-165°F |
| Resting time | Brief |
| Serving temperature | Hot |
| Serving suggestion | Marinara sauce, lemon butter sauce, salad, meatball sub, or BBQ sauce |
| Storage | Refrigerator (3-5 days), freezer (2-4 months) |
| Reheating | Microwave (30-40 seconds), air fryer (325°F for 4-5 minutes), stovetop skillet |
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What You'll Learn
Ingredients and preparation
To make juicy and tender turkey meatballs in an air fryer, you will need the following ingredients:
- Ground turkey
- Breadcrumbs
- Egg
- Garlic
- Parsley
- Oregano
- Salt
- Pepper
- Onion powder
- Italian seasoning
- Olive or avocado oil
Some recipes suggest adding bell pepper to the mix, and you can also add red pepper flakes or cayenne powder for a spicy kick. You can swap out the herbs and spices and add your own blend of seasonings.
Some recipes suggest using lean ground turkey, with 93% meat and 7% fat, to reduce the mess in your air fryer. You can also make the meatballs without breadcrumbs, but they will be a little wetter when forming them into balls.
To prepare the meatballs, preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients and mix well, using your hands to get everything combined. Form the mixture into meatballs, about 10-15 meatballs, depending on your preferred size. Place the meatballs in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not overlapping or touching. Spray the bottom of the basket with oil to prevent sticking.
You can now air-fry your meatballs for 8-12 minutes, flipping them halfway through. Check that they are cooked through by using a meat thermometer—the internal temperature should be 165 degrees Fahrenheit. If you don't have a thermometer, you can cut a meatball in half to check that it is no longer pink.
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Cooking time and temperature
The cooking temperature for turkey meatballs in an air fryer is fairly consistent across sources, with most recommending preheating the air fryer to 400°F. However, one source suggests a lower temperature of 325°F for reheating.
The cooking time varies more, with sources recommending a range of 8 to 12 minutes. Some sources suggest cooking for 5 minutes, flipping the meatballs, and then cooking for another 5 minutes. Others suggest cooking for 4 minutes, flipping, and then cooking for another 4 minutes. A few sources recommend cooking for 9 to 12 minutes, flipping halfway through.
It's important to note that cooking times may vary depending on the size of the meatballs, the size of the air fryer, and the power and wattage of the appliance. It's recommended to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the meatballs, which should reach 165°F to ensure they are cooked safely.
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Reheating and serving
Turkey meatballs can be reheated in the air fryer at 325°F for 4-5 minutes. If refrigerated, heat for about 3-5 minutes, and if frozen, heat for 6-8 minutes. There is no need to defrost frozen meatballs before reheating them. If you are reheating a large batch, you may need to do multiple batches. Check that the meatballs are heated through before serving. If not, heat for an additional minute or two.
You can also reheat the meatballs in a skillet on the stovetop. If they are frozen, place them in the refrigerator overnight to thaw and then reheat in the skillet. If you don't have time to thaw them, you can cook them from frozen in a slow cooker or stovetop soup or sauce.
Another option is to reheat the meatballs in a saucepan with some sauce, such as marinara or gravy. Heat over medium-low heat until the meatballs are warmed through.
Turkey meatballs can be served in a variety of ways. They can be served as an appetizer with different dipping sauces or coated in BBQ sauce and served with toothpicks. They can also be served as a main course with spaghetti or pasta and marinara or pasta sauce. For a sandwich option, serve the meatballs on a bun with sauce and cheese or in a sub with your favorite toppings.
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Storing and freezing
Storing Turkey Meatballs:
After cooking your turkey meatballs, it is important to let them cool down before storing them. Place the meatballs in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for 4-5 days.
Freezing Turkey Meatballs:
Freezing cooked turkey meatballs is a convenient way to have a ready-made meal on hand. To freeze, first, let the cooked meatballs cool completely. Then, spread them out on a baking sheet or plate lined with parchment paper and place them in the freezer. Leave them until they are completely frozen, which usually takes about 2 hours. Once frozen solid, transfer the meatballs to a freezer bag or airtight container, removing as much air as possible. Label the bag or container with the date and meatball type. Store them in the freezer for up to 3-4 months.
Thawing and Reheating:
To thaw frozen meatballs, place them in the refrigerator overnight to defrost. You can also speed up the process by placing the bag of meatballs in a bowl of warm water, ensuring the bag has no holes. Once thawed, you can reheat the meatballs in a skillet on the stovetop or in the microwave in 30-second increments until warmed through. If you're in a hurry, you can even cook the meatballs from frozen by adding them directly to a slow cooker or stovetop soup or sauce.
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Recipe variations
Turkey meatballs cooked in an air fryer are a versatile dish that can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some ideas for recipe variations:
Sauce and Dip Variations
You can serve the meatballs with your favourite marinara sauce, gravy, or BBQ sauce. For a refreshing twist, try serving them with a lemon butter sauce made with butter, lemon juice, and soy sauce. If you're serving the meatballs as an appetizer, provide toothpicks and a variety of dipping sauces for your guests to choose from.
Side Dish and Main Course Variations
These meatballs can be served as a side dish or used as a main course. For a heartier meal, serve them with rice, pasta, zucchini noodles, roasted vegetables, or a sandwich. They can also be stuffed into a meatball sub or served over a salad. If you're serving them as an appetizer, coat them in your favourite BBQ sauce and provide toothpicks for easy eating.
Ingredient Variations
You can experiment with different ingredients to add extra flavour to your meatballs. Try adding cayenne powder or red pepper flakes for a spicy kick, or swap out the herbs and seasonings to suit your taste. For example, you could use curry powder, smoked paprika, or other spices you love. Additionally, you can choose to include or omit breadcrumbs in your meatball mixture, depending on your preference. If you decide to use breadcrumbs, you can opt for regular, gluten-free, or Italian-seasoned varieties.
Meat Variations
While this recipe calls for ground turkey, you can easily substitute it with other types of meat. Try using lean ground beef, chicken, pork, or meat alternatives such as Beyond Meat. This allows you to customize the dish to your dietary preferences or simply add some variety to your meals.
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Frequently asked questions
It takes around 8 to 12 minutes to cook turkey meatballs in the air fryer.
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
Turkey meatballs are done when they reach an internal temperature of 165°F. You can use a meat thermometer to check this. Alternatively, you can cut a meatball in half to ensure it is no longer pink.
