Air Fryer Meatballs
Meatballs usually mean a greasy skillet or a long bake, and they often come out flat on one side. Air fryer meatballs brown evenly on all sides in about 12 minutes at 380 °F, stay juicy inside and need no extra oil. This recipe covers homemade raw meatballs, and the variants include frozen meatballs from the freezer aisle.
- Temperature
- 380°F190 °C
- Total time
- 30min
- Prep time
- 15min
- Servings
- 4
- Internal temp
- 160°F71 °C
- Per serving
- 300kcal
Why the air fryer works for meatballs
A meatball has a lot of surface compared with its size. In the air fryer, hot air flows over the whole round shape, so you get a browned crust all over rather than one seared side. Fat renders out and drips through the basket instead of pooling around the meatballs, so they stay tender but not greasy. And at 380 °F the centers cook through before the outside dries.
The key to juicy meatballs is the ingredients that hold moisture, which are the milk-soaked panko, the egg and the cheese. Meatballs in the air fryer are also easy to batch for meal prep, as one pound makes 16 and cooks in one or two batches. For ground beef shaped into patties, see hamburgers, and for a combined loaf-style version try meatloaf.
How to make meatballs in the air fryer
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Soak the panko Stir the panko and milk together in a large bowl and let them sit for , until the crumbs absorb the milk. This keeps the meatballs tender.
- Mix Add the ground beef, Parmesan, egg, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper. Mix gently with your hands, just until combined, because overmixing makes them tough.
- Shape Roll the mixture into 16 meatballs, each about 1½ inches wide. Wet your hands slightly to prevent sticking.
- Preheat and cook Preheat the air fryer to 380 °F for . Place the meatballs in a single layer, not touching; if your basket is small, cook in two batches. Cook for , shaking the basket after to turn them.
- Check Insert an instant-read thermometer into the center of a meatball. Ground beef is done at 160 °F. Let them rest for before serving.
Times and temperatures
| Air Fryer Meatballs | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Raw, 1½ inchesShake after 6 min | 380 °F (190 °C) | 12 min |
| Large raw, 2 inches | 380 °F (190 °C) | 14–16 min |
| Raw at 400 °F | 400 °F (200 °C) | 8–10 min |
| Turkey meatballsCook to 165 °F | 380 °F (190 °C) | 11–13 min |
| Frozen, fully cookedHeat to 165 °F | 380 °F (190 °C) | 8–10 min |
Times are a guide and depend on the size and wattage of your air fryer. Done at 160 °F (71 °C) in the center. See also air fryer cooking times for all foods.
Read also: Frozen foods in the air fryer – times from frozen
Tips
- Keep them the same size. A small scoop gives uniform meatballs that finish together.
- Use a gentle hand. Press the mixture lightly, because packed meatballs turn dense.
- Leave space. Meatballs that touch steam instead of brown. Cook in two batches for a 4 qt basket.
What to serve with meatballs
Serve meatballs over spaghetti with marinara sauce and a sprinkle of Parmesan, or tuck them into a toasted sub roll with melted mozzarella. They also work as a party appetizer with toothpicks and a dipping sauce, or over mashed potatoes with brown gravy. A side of broccoli adds something green to the plate.
Storing and reheating
Refrigerate cooked meatballs in a sealed container for 3 to 4 days. They freeze well for up to 3 months. Reheat in the air fryer at 350 °F for 4–5 minutes until they reach 165 °F in the center, or simmer them in warm marinara sauce on the stove.
Variations
- Turkey meatballs: Use ground turkey and cook to 165 °F, adding 1 tbsp olive oil to the mix for moisture.
- No breadcrumbs: Swap the panko and milk for ¼ cup rolled oats.
- Sauced: Toss the cooked meatballs in 1 cup warm marinara or barbecue sauce.
- Chicken Meatballs: For a dedicated recipe, see air fryer chicken meatballs.
If it does not turn out right
- The meatballs are dry and dense
- Use 85% lean beef, soak the panko in milk and mix only until combined. Take them out at 160 °F.
- The meatballs fall apart
- The mixture needs the egg and the soaked crumbs as binders. Chill the shaped meatballs for 15 minutes and do not move them for the first 5 minutes of cooking.
- The meatballs stick to the basket
- Preheat the basket and wipe it with a little oil on a paper towel before adding the meatballs.
Questions and answers
How long do you cook meatballs in the air fryer?
Raw 1½-inch meatballs take about 12 minutes at 380 °F, shaken halfway. Larger 2-inch meatballs need 14–16 minutes. Always check for 160 °F inside.
Can you cook frozen meatballs in the air fryer?
Yes. Fully cooked frozen meatballs take 8–10 minutes at 380 °F without thawing. Shake them halfway and make sure they reach 165 °F inside.
Can I make meatballs without breadcrumbs?
Yes. Use the same amount of rolled oats, or leave out the crumbs and milk and add one more egg yolk. The meatballs will be slightly denser.
Can you cook raw meatballs at 400 °F?
Yes, for 8–10 minutes, but the outside browns faster than the center cooks, so check the temperature.
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