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These easy air fryer meatballs are everything a busy weeknight dinner should be — juicy on the inside, lightly crisp on the outside, and ready in about 15 minutes. Whether you’re serving them over pasta, tucking them into subs, or adding them to a quick appetizer spread, meatballs in the air fryer are the fastest way to get big, homemade flavor on the table without heating up the oven.
For more easy, family-friendly air fryer recipes, try my Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken and Air Fryer Chicken Breasts!
Why you’ll love making meatballs in the air fryer!
Making meatballs from scratch is my favorite way to get a homemade meal on the table in no time! Air frying them takes it one step further, adding an extra crunch on the outside while keeping the inside of the meatball moist and tender.
This air fryer meatball recipe makes meatballs without marinara sauce. So, you can use them any way you like, whether it’s pairing the cooked meatballs with an Italian dish like Creamy Tomato and Basil Penne Pasta, using them for Cocktail Meatballs or Quick & Easy Meatball Sliders, or making Meatball Stroganoff.
- So juicy: The simple breadcrumb-and-milk mixture keeps the meatballs tender and never dry.
- Fast and easy: No stovetop splatter, no baking sheets — just pop them in the air fryer.
- Perfect for meal prep: Make a batch and use them all week for dinners, lunches, and snacks.
- Kid-approved: Mild, savory flavor that picky eaters love.
- Works with many meals: Pasta, subs, rice bowls, or party platters — these fit right in!
(For another easy method for cooking meatballs, see my post on How to Make Frozen Meatballs in a Crockpot.)
Table of Contents
Ingredients for Air Fryer Meatballs
See recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
- Ground meat: Beef is classic, but a beef-and-pork blend gives even more flavor and tenderness.
- Egg – Here’s the best way to crack an egg!
- Italian breadcrumbs – These soak up moisture and help prevent dense, tough meatballs.
- Parmesan cheese – This adds some extra savory flavor to your meatballs.
- Green onions – Green onions add a mild onion flavor without the crunchy texture of chopped raw onions.
Variations
- BBQ meatballs: Toss cooked meatballs in barbecue sauce.
- Teriyaki meatballs: Add soy sauce and ginger to the mixture.
- Turkey meatballs: Swap ground turkey for a lighter version.
- Cheesy meatballs: Add mozzarella cubes in the center for a gooey surprise.
How to Make Air Fryer Meatballs
- Combine: In a large bowl, combine all of the ingredients.
- Make the meatball mixture: Mix gently with a spatula or your hands to combine.
- Form the meatballs: Gently roll the meat mixture into 1- to 1 ½-inch balls. Then, place them on a parchment-lined plate or baking sheet.
- Air fry: Coat the inside of the air fryer basket with nonstick cooking spray. Then, arrange the meatballs in a single layer, leaving space between them for airflow. Cook for 10 to 12 minutes, or until golden brown and no longer pink in the middle. Depending on the size of your air fryer, it may be necessary to cook these in batches.
Serving Suggestions
These easy meatballs are delicious when served over mashed potatoes or egg noodles, piled onto a hoagie roll with marinara and mozzarella, or served with your favorite pasta dish. You can even make them into Swedish meatballs!
How to Store Air Fryer Meatballs
- Refrigerator: If you have leftover air fryer meatballs, they can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat them in an air fryer or oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about four minutes or until warmed through. Or, warm them in 30-second intervals in the microwave.
- Freezer: You can also freeze the cooked air fryer meatballs for up to three months! Thaw the frozen meatballs overnight in the fridge. Or, pop them into the microwave to defrost. Then, reheat as instructed above.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you’re heating pre-made or leftover meatballs in an air fryer, it should take about 4 minutes. However, the exact time may vary depending on your air fryer and the size of your meatballs.
It really depends on your preference and how much time you have. Baking is healthier as it requires less oil than frying, but frying creates a crispy exterior that everyone loves. We say split the difference, and use an air fryer! It’s healthier like baking, but has the crispy exterior of frying on the stovetop!
The secret to good meatballs is all in the ingredients! Start with quality, lean ground beef or pork, and mix in flavorful ingredients like herbs, spices, and cheese to give it lots of flavor. Adding some breadcrumbs helps bind the mixture together and keeps them from falling apart during cooking. Lastly, don’t over-mix the ingredients as this can make them tough.
Yes, raw meatballs can be cooked in the air fryer. Just be sure to coat the basket in oil or cooking spray to keep them from sticking and you’ll be good to go!
More Ground Beef Recipes
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Easy Air Fryer Meatballs
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Mixing bowl
- measuring spoons
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- ½ pound ground pork
- 1 egg lightly beaten
- ½ cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
- ⅓ cup parmesan cheese grated
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 3 tablespoons green onions chopped
- Nonstick cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat an air fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In a large mixing bowl, add all ingredients and mix together gently with a spatula or your hands. Mix just until incorporated, as overmixing will cause the meatballs to be tougher.1 pound lean ground beef, ½ pound ground pork, 1 egg, ½ cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs, ⅓ cup parmesan cheese, 2 teaspoons kosher salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes, 3 tablespoons green onions
- Gently form into 1” to 1 ½” size balls. Place on a parchment lined plate or sheet pan until ready to start cooking.
- Coat the inside of the air fryer basket with nonstick cooking spray, then arrange the meatballs inside, leaving a space between to allow for airflow.Nonstick cooking spray
- Cook for 10 to 12 minutes until golden brown and no longer pink in the middle. If using a meat thermometer, they should reach 165 F when cooked through. Depending on the size of your air fryer, it may be necessary to cook these in batches.
Notes
- Don’t overmix. Stir just until combined — overworking the meat makes meatballs tough.
- Use a scoop. A cookie scoop keeps meatballs the same size so they cook evenly.
- Leave space. Air needs to circulate around the meatballs for browning.
- Check doneness. Meatballs are done at 165°F inside.
