These air fryer turkey meatballs are oh-so juicy with a nice crispy crust.
There are so many reasons to fall in love with this recipe. It’s simple, healthy, mess-free, and only requires a few pantry staples.
These meatballs are delicious with just about anything. Toss them in marinara or serve them over buttered noodles. You can also pair them with roasted veggies or potatoes.
They’re healthier than beef meatballs, but thanks to the air fryer, they’re just as juicy!
Without further ado, let’s check out this delicious air fryer turkey meatball recipe!
Ingredients
If you have ground turkey on hand, you’re halfway there! Everything else is pantry staples. Here’s what you need:
- Ground turkey – Use whatever type of turkey you prefer, either lean or standard.
- Breadcrumbs – Standard breadcrumbs or whole wheat work best for this recipe. Using anything else, like panko, will create overly dry meatballs.
- Egg – Adding an egg helps everything bind together. Use an egg at room temperature so everything mixes easily.
- Garlic and onion – Is it even a meatball if garlic and onion don’t come to the party? I recommend skipping the pre-chopped garlic and using fresh for the best flavor.
- Fresh parsley – Dried herbs are good, but fresh is even better. Adding chopped fresh parsley to your meatballs adds rich, earthy flavors.
- Spices – For this recipe, all you need is Italian seasoning with a dash of salt and pepper. This blend makes these meatballs sing.
- Parmesan cheese. A grating of Parmesan cheese takes these meatballs over the top. It adds another layer of melty, cheesy goodness.
How to Make Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs
You won’t believe how quickly these meatballs come together. Don’t be afraid to get your hands a little dirty when mixing up the meat!
Here’s a quick rundown on how to make air fryer turkey meatballs:
1. Prepare. Grate the fresh onion, mince the garlic, and grate the onion. Also, preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Mix the meatballs. In a large bowl, add the turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, onion, garlic, parsley, Parmesan cheese (optional), and seasoning. Mix until just combined.
3. Roll into balls. Roll the mixture into 1-1/2 inch balls. It should make around 16-20 meatballs.
4. Air fry. Place the meatballs in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook them for 12 minutes. At the halfway point, shake the basket for even cooking.
5. Cool. Once cooked, remove the meatballs from the basket and allow them to cool for 2-3 minutes. Then, serve and enjoy!
Recipe Tips and Variations
Here are some quick tips and tricks for the best air fryer meatballs. I’ve thrown in a few variations that add more mouth-watering flavor, too.
- Mix everything minimally. Mix the ingredients just until everything comes together, and then stop mixing! If you overmix, the meat will become incredibly tough and dry once it hits the air fryer.
- Watch the clock! Turkey is notorious for drying out, so you check in on them frequently. Not all air fryers are created equal. Check them every 5 minutes to ensure they aren’t turning too brown.
- Give them some space. When loading meatballs into the basket, don’t overcrowd them. To earn that nice, crispy crust, meatballs need plenty of room. Work in batches if necessary.
- Swap out your meat. This recipe works well with any type of ground meat, not just turkey. You can use beef, pork, or a blend of all three!
- Spice them up. While Italian seasoning is a great place to start, you can add whatever spices you love. Adding smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, or Cajun seasoning is great for dialing the flavor.
How to Store
Here are some quick tips on how to keep your leftover meatballs fresh.
- To Store: Allow the meatballs to come to room temperature, and then transfer them to an air-tight container. They will stay fresh in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- To Freeze: Or, you can pop these meatballs in the freeze to keep them even longer. Flash-freeze them first on a baking sheet to prevent them from sticking together. Then, place them in a freezer bag. They’ll stay fresh for up to 3 months.
- To Reheat: There’s no need to thaw frozen meatballs! Simply pop them back into the air fryer until heated through. Refrigerated meatballs take around 5 minutes, while frozen take around 8.
What to Serve with Turkey Meatballs
Turkey meatballs go with just about anything! Make them a scrumptious appetizer with homemade marinara, or toss them over noodles for spaghetti and meatballs.
For a carb-free, light dinner, try pairing them with roasted vegetables like roasted Brussels sprouts or easy roasted asparagus.
Or, if you’re craving starch potatoes, these meatballs go great with these herbal rosemary potatoes.
More Air Fryer Recipes
Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs
3-4
servings10
minutes12
minutesTreat yourself to a healthy dinner with these air fryer turkey meatballs! Made from scratch, they’re wholesome, delicious, and also easy!
Ingredients
1 pound ground turkey
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1/2 white onion, grated
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, optional
Instructions
- Prepare the ingredients. Beat the egg, grate the onion, and mince the garlic cloves.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200°C).
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground turkey, breadcrumbs, beaten egg, grated onion, minced garlic, chopped parsley, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Add the Parmesan cheese, if using, and mix until combined. Be careful not to overwork the meat.
- Portion the mixture into 16-20 meatballs about 1-1 1/2 inches each. Arrange them in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook for 12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
- Take the meatballs out of the basket and let them cool for 2-3 minutes. Serve them with pasta, in a sub, or with marinara dipping sauce, and enjoy!
Notes
- Mix everything but the meat first to ensure the ingredients are well blended. Then add the meat. This keeps it from overworking and going tough.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. Work in batches, if needed.
- Ground turkey is softer than ground beef, so expect the meatballs to be soft, too.
