Air Fryer Meatballs Wellplated Com

Meatball night started when we first moved downtown and found ourselves within walking distance of a truly stellar Italian market. The weekly Friday night routine became walking over there to pick up wine, homemade pasta, red sauce, and charcuterie. We’d then sip and snack while I made a new meatball recipe to go along with our spoils. Plus, I am not sure when you last cooked meatballs, but they are SO GOOD and so rewarding. Meatballs are a comfort food that speaks to my soul! Most often, I make Baked Turkey Meatballs or Baked Chicken Meatballs. I started to wonder how they would fair in our air fryer (this is the air fryer model I purchased). In a word: FAB-U-LOUS (or should I say, buonissimo)!

How to Make Air Fryer Meatballs

These air fryer Italian meatballs are made with a blend of healthy ground turkey, Parmesan, and pantry spices. Despite their leaner profile, I promise you, they are juicy and anything but bland. They are date-night, pasta-night, meatball-night worthy in every way!

The Ingredients

Ground Turkey. Lean, protein-packed ground turkey is a delicious base for air fryer meatballs. It’s lighter but still has wonderful flavor.

Parmesan. The cheesy, salty element that makes these meatballs taste extra scrumptious. Breadcrumbs. Helps keep the meatballs moist. I used Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs because I love the extra flavor they add. (For another air fryer recipe with breadcrumbs, check out these tasty Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks.)Italian Seasoning. An easy way to incorporate an array of herbs and spices that give the recipe an Italian flair. Spices. Onion powder and garlic powder help incorporate onion and garlic flavor without disrupting the meatball texture. Red Pepper Flakes. While this is an optional addition, I think a little spice makes the meatballs even tastier. Egg. The all-important binder for our meatballs.

The Directions

Ways to Serve Air Fryer Meatballs

With Pasta. A classic (and my personal favorite) way to serve easy air fryer meatballs. Toss them into Garlic Pasta, Eggplant Pasta, or make air fryer meatballs for spaghetti with marinara sauce. On Pizza. Whether you’re making English Muffin Pizza, Broccoli Pizza Crust, or topping Whole Wheat Pizza Dough, you can upgrade pizza night by adding sliced meatballs (try it with Italian sausage too for a meat-lovers dream). On a Sandwich. Turn air fryer meatballs into a meatball sub by tucking them between two slices of bread with mozzarella cheese and marinara sauce. As an Appetizer. Serve air fryer meatballs with sauce and toothpicks for an easy appetizer. (These Cheese Stuffed Apple Chicken Meatballs are another tasty option.) In Soup. Bulk up your Minestrone Soup by adding some meatballs. On a Salad. For a fun protein addition, top your Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad or Caprese Pasta Salad with meatballs.

Storage Tips

To Store. Refrigerate meatballs in an airtight container for up to 3 days.To Reheat. Rewarm leftovers on a baking sheet in the oven at 350 degrees F or in the microwave. To Freeze. Place leftover meatballs in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Transfer the frozen air fryer meatballs to an airtight freezer-safe storage container or ziptop bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe

Air Fryer. This is the air fryer I own and highly recommend. Baking Sheet. Incredibly versatile and necessary in every kitchen. Parchment Paper. Makes meatball cleanup a breeze.

Let’s make every night meatball night!

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Air Fryer Meatballs Video

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