Air Fryer Keto Meatballs: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Air fryers are a great way to cook meatballs without the mess of frying or baking them. They're also a lot faster and more energy-efficient than using an oven. Keto meatballs are a tasty, high-protein snack that can be made in an air fryer without the carbs that usually come from breadcrumbs.

Keto air fryer meatballs are made with ground beef, eggs, almond flour, and various cheeses and seasonings. They can be served as an appetiser, a snack, or a main course. They're also great for meal prep and can be frozen and reheated.

Choosing your ingredients

The key to keto-friendly meatballs is to avoid using ingredients that are high in carbohydrates, such as bread crumbs. Instead, you can use a variety of alternative ingredients to act as a binder and add flavour to your meatballs.

Meat

The most important ingredient in your meatballs is the meat. You can use any ground meat of your choice, such as beef, pork, chicken, or turkey. If you are making keto meatballs, it is best to choose a meat that is low in carbohydrates and high in fat, such as ground beef or ground pork.

Binders

Since you won't be using bread crumbs, you'll need to choose an alternative binder to help your meatballs hold their shape. Here are some options:

• Eggs: Eggs are a common binder used in meatballs. They help to bind the mixture together and keep the meatballs moist.
• Cheese: Cheeses such as Parmesan or mozzarella can act as a binder and add a tangy flavour to your meatballs.
• Heavy whipping cream: The fat in the heavy whipping cream helps to bind the ingredients together, especially if you are using lean meat.
• Pork rinds: Crushed pork rinds are a high-protein, low-carb substitute for bread crumbs. They add texture and help to bind the meatballs together.
• Almond flour: Almond flour is another low-carb option to use as a binder. It helps to absorb moisture and keeps the meatballs together.

Seasonings and flavourings

To enhance the flavour of your keto meatballs, you can add various seasonings and flavourings. Here are some options:

• Garlic: Fresh or minced garlic adds a strong, savory depth of flavour to your meatballs.
• Herbs: Fresh herbs like parsley, basil, or rosemary can add a pop of flavour and colour to your meatballs.
• Spices: You can add crushed red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning, oregano, thyme, or curry powder to give your meatballs an extra kick.
• Salt and pepper: These are essential for enhancing the flavour of your meatballs.

Additional ingredients

You can also add some additional ingredients to your keto meatballs for extra flavour and texture:

• Onion: Grated or minced onion adds sweetness and moisture to your meatballs, but use a small amount as onions are moderately high in carbs.
• Vegetables: You can add chopped vegetables like scallions or cilantro to your meatballs for extra flavour and texture.
• Sauces: You can add soy sauce, coconut aminos, or fish sauce to your meatball mixture for extra flavour and moisture.

Mixing the meatball mixture

To make the meatball mixture, you'll need to gather your ingredients and a large bowl for mixing.

For keto-friendly meatballs, you'll need to avoid using traditional fillers like breadcrumbs, which are high in carbs. Instead, opt for alternatives such as crushed pork rinds, almond flour, or keto-friendly cracker crumbs. These substitutes will help bind the meatballs without adding unnecessary carbs.

In your large mixing bowl, start by combining the filler of your choice with some liquid. This step is crucial for locking in moisture. For keto meatballs, heavy whipping cream is a popular choice, but you could also use full-fat coconut milk for a dairy-free option. Let the filler and liquid mixture sit for about 10 minutes to thicken.

Next, you'll add the remaining ingredients, including your choice of ground meat, eggs, cheese, herbs, and seasonings. Using your hands, mix the ingredients thoroughly until well combined. Don't be afraid to get your hands dirty!

If the mixture feels too dry, you can add a little water, a tablespoon at a time, to adjust the consistency. However, be careful not to make it too wet, as this will affect your ability to form the mixture into balls.

Once you're happy with the consistency, it's time to shape the mixture into meatballs. Depending on your preference, you can make them between 1 to 2 inches in size. This recipe will yield approximately 25 meatballs.

Now you're ready to move on to the next steps of cooking and serving your delicious keto air fryer meatballs!

Forming the meatballs

The fun part! It's time to get your hands dirty.

First, make sure you have all your ingredients mixed together in a large bowl. You should have a sticky, combined mixture. If it's too dry, add a little water, one tablespoon at a time.

Now, form the mixture into balls. Depending on your preference, you can make them 1-inch, 1.5-inch, or 2-inch balls. This recipe should yield around 12-25 meatballs, depending on their size.

Place the meatballs on a plate or baking sheet, making sure they aren't touching. If you're making a large batch, you might need to cook them in batches so they don't overcrowd the air fryer basket.

Once formed, you're ready to pop them into the air fryer!

Cooking the meatballs

Preheat the Air Fryer

Before you start cooking the meatballs, preheat your air fryer to 350°F. This will ensure your meatballs cook evenly and achieve the perfect finish.

Prepare the Meatball Mixture

In a large bowl, combine your chosen ingredients, such as ground beef, eggs, onion, garlic, basil, parsley, and parmesan cheese. You can also add in almond flour and heavy cream to help bind the mixture. If the mixture is too dry, add water, one tablespoon at a time, until it reaches the desired consistency.

Form the Meatballs

Roll the meat mixture into balls, aiming for a size of around 1.5 to 2 inches in diameter. This recipe should yield around 12 to 45 meatballs, depending on the size you choose.

Cook the Meatballs in the Air Fryer

Place the meatballs in a single layer on the greased tray or basket in your air fryer, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Cook for 8 to 12 minutes at 350°F, or until they are lightly browned and cooked through. You may need to work in batches to cook all the meatballs.

Check the Meatballs' Internal Temperature

To ensure your meatballs are fully cooked, use a meat thermometer to check their internal temperature. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of a meatball, and aim for an internal temperature of 165°F.

Serve and Enjoy!

Your keto air fryer meatballs are now ready to be served! Enjoy them as a tasty, juicy, and healthy snack or meal. You can serve them as-is, with a dipping sauce, or as part of a larger dish, such as with pasta or zucchini noodles.

Storing and reheating the meatballs

Storing and reheating keto air fryer meatballs is simple and convenient. Here is a comprehensive guide to ensure your meatballs retain their flavour and texture.

Storing Meatballs:

Proper storage is crucial to preserving the quality of your keto air fryer meatballs. Here are the steps to follow:

• Allow the meatballs to cool to room temperature.
• Place the meatballs in an airtight container or a heavy-duty freezer bag. If using a container, separate the layers with parchment paper.
• For short-term storage, refrigerate the meatballs and consume within 3-4 days.
• For long-term storage, freeze the meatballs. Spread them out on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then, transfer the frozen meatballs to airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags.
• Label the containers or bags with the date. Meatballs can be stored in the freezer for up to 4 months for optimal quality, but they can be frozen for up to 3 months.

Reheating Meatballs:

There are several effective methods to reheat your keto air fryer meatballs while maintaining their moisture and flavour.

Oven Reheating:

The oven is an ideal method for reheating meatballs without sauce. Here are the steps:

• Preheat your oven to 300°F.
• Place the meatballs in a single layer on a baking sheet or in a baking dish.
• Cover the meatballs with aluminium foil to prevent drying.
• Reheat until warmed through. This should take around 15-30 minutes, depending on the number of meatballs.
• For frozen meatballs, extend the reheating time and check the temperature after an additional 10-15 minutes.
• For plain meatballs, add a small amount of water under the foil to enhance moisture.

Stovetop Reheating:

The stovetop method is perfect for reheating meatballs with sauce. Here's how:

• Place the meatballs and sauce in a pan.
• If needed, add a small amount of water to thin the sauce.
• Heat the meatballs and sauce over a low flame, stirring gently.
• Cover the pan to retain moisture and ensure even heating.

Microwave Reheating:

The microwave is the fastest option for reheating small quantities of meatballs. Here's a quick guide:

• Place the meatballs in a microwave-safe dish.
• Add a splash of water to the dish.
• Cover the dish with a pierced lid or damp paper towel to trap steam and prevent splattering.
• Heat the meatballs in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F.

Air Fryer Reheating:

You can also use your air fryer to reheat the meatballs. Here's the process:

• Preheat your air fryer to 350-400°F.
• Place the meatballs in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded.
• Reheat for about 5-10 minutes, checking periodically to ensure even heating.

Tips for Successful Reheating:

To ensure your keto air fryer meatballs taste just like freshly cooked ones, keep these tips in mind:

• Avoid overcooking: When reheating, you don't want to cook the meatballs further. Just heat them until they are warmed through to prevent drying them out.
• Preserve moisture: Add a small amount of liquid, such as broth, water, or sauce, to the pan or dish when reheating to replenish moisture and keep the meatballs juicy.
• Cover during reheating: Use aluminium foil or a microwave-safe lid to trap steam and maintain moisture within the meatballs.
• Stir or rotate: Periodically stir or rotate the meatballs during reheating to ensure uniform heating.
• Thaw before reheating: For even warming, thaw frozen meatballs in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

Now you can enjoy your keto air fryer meatballs as if they were freshly made!

Frequently asked questions