Your air fryer is the secret to perfect meatballs that are crispy on the outside, but tender and juicy on the inside. You’ll come back to this air fryer meatball recipe again and again.
How to Make Air Fryer Meatballs
You'll find a detailed ingredient list and step-by-step instructions in the recipe below, but let's go over the basics of making air fryer meatballs:
Air Fryer Meatballs Ingredients
These are the simple ingredients you’ll need to make this air fryer meatball recipe at home:
- Meat: You’ll need lean ground beef and ground pork.
- Cheese: Parmesan cheese lends flavor and creaminess.
- Bread crumbs: Use store-bought bread crumbs or make your own at home.
- Egg: An egg lends moisture and helps hold the meatballs together.
- Seasoning: These air-fried meatballs are seasoned with fresh garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
How to Make Meatballs In the Air Fryer
Here’s a brief overview of what you can expect when you make air-fried meatballs:
- Combine the ingredients.
- Shape the mixture into balls.
- Air fry for 8 minutes, shake, and cook for 2 more minutes.
How Long to Cook Meatballs In the Air Fryer
In an air fryer preheated to 350 degrees F, the meatballs should cook for about 10 minutes. Don’t forget to shake the basket at the 8-minute mark! Also, allow the meatballs to rest for five minutes before serving.
How to Store Air Fryer Meatballs
Serve these air-fried meatballs over spaghetti with our Best Marinara Sauce Yet for a classic, crowd-pleasing dish. These meatballs also work perfectly as an appetizer, in a sandwich, or served over mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles.
Can You Freeze Air Fryer Meatballs?
Yes! Freezing meatballs is a great way to meal prep. Here’s how to freeze air fryer meatballs, according to recipe creator and Allrecipes Allstar Soup Loving Nicole:
“After step 2, place the baking sheet in the freezer for 4 hours. Transfer frozen meatballs to a freezer-safe container. Cook time will need to be increased to 15 minutes: Cook for 12 minutes, shake, and then cook for 3 minutes more.”
Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise
“Really liked how these turned out,” raves Anna Dorothea. “Much better than in the oven — tender inside with a brown crust outside. I did cook them at 375 degrees F instead of 350 degrees F and liked the result. Definitely a keeper!”
“I made the recipe as written and they were perfect,” according to Peg. “My husband loved them and they were gone the next day. I won't fry or bake meatballs again. Fast and easy.”
“Made mine with a venison and beef mixture,” says kayla. “I also placed a small ball of mozzarella cheese in the middle and it was great!”
Editorial contributions by Corey Williams
Ingredients
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16 ounces lean ground beef
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4 ounces ground pork
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½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
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⅓ cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs
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1 egg
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
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½ teaspoon salt
Directions
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Preheat an air fryer to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
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Combine beef, pork, Parmesan cheese, bread crumbs, egg, garlic, Italian seasoning, and salt in a large bowl. Mix until evenly combined.
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
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Form into 16 equal meatballs (a small ice cream scoop is helpful) and place on a baking sheet.
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
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Place 1/2 of the meatballs in the basket of the air fryer and cook 8 minutes. Shake the basket and cook 2 minutes more. Transfer to a serving plate and let rest for 5 minutes. Repeat with remaining meatballs.
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
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Serve warm and enjoy!
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
| 457 | Calories |
| 33g | Fat |
| 8g | Carbs |
| 30g | Protein |
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Servings Per Recipe 4 | |
| Calories 457 | |
| % Daily Value * | |
| Total Fat 33g | 42% |
| Saturated Fat 13g | 67% |
| Cholesterol 114mg | 38% |
| Sodium 634mg | 28% |
| Total Carbohydrate 8g | 3% |
| Dietary Fiber 1g | 2% |
| Protein 30g | 60% |
| Vitamin C 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium 146mg | 11% |
| Iron 3mg | 17% |
| Potassium 402mg | 9% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.
(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.
