Air-Fryer Homemade Meatballs: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Making meatballs in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and healthy way to cook this classic dish. With an air fryer, you can make tender, juicy, and delicious meatballs with minimal clean-up and in a fraction of the time. This guide will teach you how to make homemade meatballs in an air fryer, including the ingredients you'll need, step-by-step instructions, and tips for storing and reheating your meatballs.

Choosing the right ground meat

If you decide to use only ground beef, opt for lean ground beef with some fat, such as 90/10 or 85/15. Extra lean or fat-free ground beef is not ideal as it tends to dry out the meatballs. On the other hand, ground beef that is not lean can make the meatballs too greasy.

For a combination of ground beef and pork, use lean ground beef with a mix of 60% beef and 40% pork. This ratio ensures a good balance of flavours and moisture. You can also experiment with other ratios to find your preferred taste and texture.

Additionally, you can try using other types of ground meat, such as lamb, chicken, or even a mixture of beef, pork, and veal for a more Italian-style meatball. The versatility of the air fryer and the meatball recipe allows you to get creative and adapt the recipe to your preferences.

Preparing the meat mixture

To make the meat mixture for your homemade meatballs, you will need the following ingredients:

• Ground beef
• Ground pork
• Parmesan cheese
• Breadcrumbs (regular or Italian-seasoned)
• Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper
• Garlic (fresh, pre-minced, or powder)
• Eggs
• Milk or water

You may also add onion powder, parsley, onion, and other spices like oregano and basil.

To prepare the mixture, combine all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Mix well, preferably with clean hands, until everything is evenly combined. Avoid overmixing, as this can make the meat tough.

Once the mixture is ready, you can start shaping it into meatballs.

Shaping the meatballs

• After combining all the ingredients in a mixing bowl, lightly wet your hands before shaping the mixture into meatballs. This will prevent the mixture from sticking to your hands.
• Use a cookie scoop or a spoon to scoop out the mixture and shape it into balls. This will help ensure that the meatballs are all roughly the same size.
• Aim to make between 16 and 28 meatballs, depending on the size of your air fryer. It is important to not overcrowd the air fryer basket, so cook the meatballs in batches if necessary.
• Place the shaped meatballs on a baking sheet or plate and let them sit in the refrigerator for about an hour or even overnight. This will help the meatballs keep their shape when cooking and allow the flavours to blend.
• Once the meatballs have chilled, they are ready to be placed into the air fryer basket for cooking.

Cooking the meatballs

Now that your meatballs are shaped and ready to go, it's time to cook them! Here's a step-by-step guide to cooking homemade meatballs in your air fryer:

• Preheat your air fryer: Set your air fryer to the desired temperature, which can range from 350°F to 400°F (175°C to 204°C). Preheating ensures even cooking and reduces the overall cooking time.
• Prepare the air fryer basket: Grease the basket of your air fryer lightly. This will prevent the meatballs from sticking. You can also line the basket with parchment paper, but make sure to poke some holes or slits in it to allow excess fat to drain off.
• Place the meatballs in the air fryer: Arrange the meatballs in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving some space between them. Avoid overcrowding the basket, as this can lead to uneven cooking and steaming instead of frying. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the meatballs in batches.
• Air fry the meatballs: Depending on the temperature and your air fryer model, the cooking time will vary. For example, at 350°F, cook the meatballs for about 8 minutes, then shake the basket and cook for an additional 2 minutes. At 400°F, cook for about 12 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through. The meatballs should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to ensure they are safe to eat.
• Rest and serve: Once the meatballs are cooked, let them rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute and ensures they are nice and juicy.

By following these steps, you'll end up with delicious, tender, and juicy meatballs that are perfectly cooked in your air fryer!

Storing and reheating the meatballs

Storing and reheating your homemade meatballs is simple.

Firstly, you should let the meatballs cool for a few minutes after cooking. Then, place them in an airtight container or a zippered bag and store them in the refrigerator. They will last in the fridge for 3-4 days.

If you want to freeze your meatballs, place them in a freezer-safe container and they will last for up to 3 months.

To reheat your meatballs, you can use either the air fryer or the microwave. If you are using the air fryer, preheat it to 320 degrees Fahrenheit or 190 degrees Celsius and cook for 3-5 minutes. If you are using the microwave, heat the meatballs for a minute at a time on high power until they are heated through. Alternatively, place them on a baking sheet and put them under the broiler for a few minutes until they are crispy again.

Frequently asked questions