Tender Air Fryer Meatballs
A quick and easy recipe for juicy, crispy meatballs cooked in the air fryer, perfect for family dinners, snacks, or gatherings.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 18-20 meatballs 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef (80/20)
- ½ cup (50g) fresh Italian bread crumbs
- ⅓ cup (80ml) milk
- ¼ cup (25g) grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg (room temperature)
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Olive oil spray or cooking spray
Instructions
- Soak breadcrumbs in milk for about 5 minutes until soft and creamy.
- Add ground beef, Parmesan cheese, egg, garlic, parsley, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning to soaked breadcrumbs. Mix gently until just combined.
- Form mixture into uniform meatballs about 1 ¼ inches (3 cm) in diameter, yielding 18-20 meatballs.
- Preheat air fryer to 380°F (193°C) for 3 minutes.
- Lightly spray air fryer basket with olive oil spray. Place meatballs in a single layer without touching. Cook for 10-12 minutes, shaking basket halfway through.
- Ensure meatballs reach an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).
- Let meatballs rest for 2-3 minutes before serving.
Notes
Do not overmix the meat to keep meatballs tender. Use a meat thermometer to ensure proper cooking. Preheat the air fryer for a crispy crust. Cook in batches if basket is small to avoid overcrowding. Rest meatballs before serving to retain juiciness. Substitute ground turkey or chicken for leaner options. Use almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs for gluten-free diet. Parmesan can be swapped with nutritional yeast for dairy-free.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 meatball (about 1
- Calories: 80
- Fat: 5
- Carbohydrates: 2
- Protein: 6
Keywords: air fryer meatballs, tender meatballs, crispy meatballs, quick meatballs, easy dinner, family recipe, comfort food