Air-Fried Meatballs: The Perfect Spaghetti Companion

Air fryers are a great way to make meatballs for spaghetti, producing a dish that is tender and juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside. The meatballs can be made with a variety of ground meats, including beef, pork, chicken, turkey, lamb, or sausage, and are seasoned with ingredients such as Parmesan cheese, garlic, Italian seasoning, and parsley. The key to getting evenly cooked meatballs is to ensure they are all the same size, which can be achieved by using an ice cream or cookie scoop to form the meatballs. Additionally, it is important not to overwork the meat mixture, as this can make the meatballs tough and chewy. By following these tips, you can easily make delicious and juicy meatballs for spaghetti using your air fryer.

Choosing your meat

When selecting your meat, it is recommended to use meat with a leanness between 70% to 85%. This will help the meatballs retain moisture and prevent them from drying out. For example, 90% lean ground beef tends to taste drier.

Additionally, you can add other ingredients to your meat mixture to enhance the flavour and texture. Some recipes suggest adding ingredients like feta cheese, eggs, and breadcrumbs. These ingredients act as binders and help keep the meatballs moist and tender.

Remember to mix the ingredients gently without overworking the meat. Overmixing can lead to denser and tougher meatballs as it breaks down the proteins in the meat.

Preparing the meatball mixture

• Choose your meat: You can use a variety of ground meats for your meatballs, including beef, pork, chicken, turkey, or a combination thereof. A blend of pork and veal is traditional, but you can also use ground lamb, Italian sausage, or even plant-based meat alternatives.
• Gather your ingredients: In addition to your chosen meat, you'll need a variety of ingredients to enhance the flavour and texture of your meatballs. This typically includes breadcrumbs, an egg, Parmesan cheese, and various seasonings. Breadcrumbs and eggs act as binding agents, helping to hold the meatballs together during cooking.
• Prepare your vegetables and herbs: Many meatball recipes call for finely chopped or grated onions and garlic, as well as fresh herbs like parsley, basil, or oregano. It's a good idea to cook these ingredients before adding them to your meat mixture. Sautéing onions and garlic until they become translucent ensures they don't remain raw in your meatballs.
• Combine dry ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, and seasonings. You can also add red pepper flakes for a spicier kick. Stir well to ensure everything is evenly distributed.
• Add the meat: Place your chosen ground meat into the bowl with the dry ingredients. You can also add additional ingredients like feta cheese at this stage for extra moisture and flavour.
• Mix the ingredients: Use a fork or your hands to gently mix all the ingredients until they are evenly combined. Be careful not to overmix or compact the meat, as this can make your meatballs tough and chewy. You want to retain the moisture and lightness of the mixture.
• Add moisture: If desired, you can add a small amount of water or milk to the mixture to help it bind and retain moisture. This step is especially important if you're using leaner meats, as the extra moisture will prevent the meatballs from drying out during cooking.
• Chill the mixture: Once you've achieved a consistent mixture, cover the bowl and place it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to an hour. Chilling the mixture will make it easier to shape into meatballs and help the meatballs hold their shape during cooking.

Now that your meatball mixture is ready, you can move on to shaping the meatballs and preparing them for the air fryer!

Shaping the meatballs

Firstly, it's important not to overwork the meat when mixing and shaping the meatballs. Overworking the meat can cause the proteins to break down, resulting in denser and tougher meatballs. Instead, mix the ingredients gently and only as much as needed to combine them evenly.

When shaping the meatballs, it is recommended to use a scoop to ensure they are all the same size. This can be an ice cream scoop or a cookie scoop. This trick guarantees that all the meatballs cook at the same rate, so you don't end up with some overcooked and others still pink in the middle. With this method, you can expect beautifully browned meatballs on the outside and tender on the inside.

Wet your hands before rolling the meat mixture into balls. This will help you shape the meatballs nicely and cut down on the mess. Aim for meatballs that are around 1 to 2 inches in size. You can place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet or directly into the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they are not touching.

If you are cooking a large batch of meatballs, you might need to work in batches. Leave some space between the meatballs to ensure proper air circulation and browning. You can also use silicone inserts in the air fryer to cook multiple batches at once.

Cooking the meatballs

Now that you've gathered and mixed your ingredients, it's time to cook your meatballs!

First, roll the meat mixture into meatballs. For even cooking, it's important that the meatballs are all the same size. A small ice cream scoop can be useful for this. Aim for 1 to 2-inch balls, placing them in a single layer in your air fryer basket. Leave at least half an inch of space between each meatball to avoid them sticking together. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the meatballs in batches.

Next, place the meatballs in your air fryer and cook at a temperature of between 350 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. The cooking time will depend on the size of your meatballs, but it should take around 10 to 15 minutes. For larger meatballs, you may need to add a couple of minutes to the cooking time. Don't forget to shake the basket halfway through cooking to ensure even browning.

Your meatballs are done when they are golden brown and have an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. If you don't have a meat thermometer, cut one of the larger meatballs in half to check that it is cooked all the way through.

Once cooked, remove the meatballs from the air fryer and enjoy! You can also store them in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze them for later.

Serving suggestions

There are many ways to serve air fryer meatballs. Here are some ideas:

• With pasta: Toss the meatballs with spaghetti and marinara sauce for a classic, crowd-pleasing dish. You can also add them to other pasta dishes.
• On a sandwich: Create a meatball sub by placing the meatballs between two slices of bread with mozzarella cheese and marinara sauce.
• With polenta: For a comforting alternative to pasta, serve the meatballs over creamy polenta.
• Over mashed potatoes: Add a side of garlic mashed potatoes for an ultimate comfort meal. For a low-carb option, try cauliflower mashed potatoes.
• As an appetizer: Arrange the meatballs on a plate with toothpicks for easy snacking.
• On pizza: Upgrade pizza night by adding sliced meatballs to your pie.
• On a salad: For a fun protein boost, top your salad with meatballs.
• With rice: Meatballs can be served with rice for a filling and tasty meal.
• In a bread roll: Pop the meatballs into a crunchy Vietnamese bread roll for a delicious handheld treat.
• With couscous: Couscous is another great option to serve with meatballs.
• With mashed potato: Meatballs and mashed potato is a tasty and satisfying combination.
• With gravy: Meatballs go well with gravy, making a hearty and savoury dish.
• With vegetables: Serve the meatballs with roasted vegetables, such as air fryer Brussels sprouts or broccoli.

When serving meatballs with pasta, you can either toss the meatballs and pasta with sauce or plate them individually. If serving a crowd, you can place the pasta in a large bowl and top it with the meatballs. Provide small bowls of fresh parsley, Parmesan cheese, and buttery toasted breadcrumbs for topping. For a small family, you can plate individual servings of spaghetti and meatballs, topped with desired toppings.

Frequently asked questions