Air Fryer Meatballs

The air fryer is your go-to tool for making meatballs with a perfectly crispy crust and a juicy, tender interior. Once you try this recipe, you'll be making these air fryer meatballs on repeat.

How to Prepare Air Fryer Meatballs

Check out the full ingredient list and step-by-step instructions below, but here’s a quick overview of how to make these delicious air fryer meatballs:

Ingredients for Air Fryer Meatballs

Here’s what you’ll need to create these tasty air fryer meatballs 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. 

Steps to Make Meatballs in the Air Fryer

Here’s a quick rundown of the process for making perfect air fryer meatballs:

1. Mix all the ingredients together.
2. Form the mixture into meatballs.
3. Air fry for 8 minutes, shake the basket, and cook for an additional 2 minutes.

Cooking Time for Meatballs in the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 350°F, and cook the meatballs for approximately 10 minutes. Be sure to shake the basket at the 8-minute mark! Let the meatballs rest for 5 minutes before serving for the best results.

How to Store Air Fryer Meatballs

These delicious air fryer meatballs make a perfect topping for spaghetti with our Best Marinara Sauce Yet, but they’re also great as appetizers, in sandwiches, or served over mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles.

Can You Freeze Air Fryer Meatballs?

Absolutely! Freezing your meatballs is an excellent way to prep meals in advance. Here's how to freeze your air fryer meatballs, as recommended by Dinogo Allstar and soup enthusiast Nicole:

After completing step 2, place the baking sheet in the freezer for 4 hours. Once frozen, transfer the meatballs to a freezer-safe container. When ready to cook, increase the cook time to 15 minutes: Start by cooking for 12 minutes, shake the basket, and cook for an additional 3 minutes.

Dinogo Community Feedback and Recommendations

Anna Dorothea shares, “These turned out great! Much better than oven-baked – tender inside with a crispy brown exterior. I cooked them at 375°F instead of 350°F and loved the result. This recipe is definitely a keeper!”

Peg says, “I followed the recipe exactly, and they were perfect! My husband loved them, and they were gone the next day. I won’t be frying or baking meatballs again – this was fast and easy!”

Kayla shares, "I made mine with a mix of venison and beef. I also added a small ball of mozzarella cheese in the center, and it turned out fantastic!"

Editorial contributions by Corey Williams

Ingredients

• 16 ounces lean ground beef

• 4 ounces ground pork

• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

• ⅓ cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs

• 1 egg

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

• ½ teaspoon salt

Directions

In a large bowl, combine the beef, pork, Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, Italian seasoning, and salt. Stir until all ingredients are evenly mixed.

Shape the mixture into 16 equal-sized meatballs, using a small ice cream scoop for accuracy, and arrange them on a baking sheet.

Place half of the meatballs in the air fryer basket and cook for 8 minutes. Shake the basket, then cook for an additional 2 minutes. Transfer the meatballs to a serving plate and let them rest for 5 minutes. Repeat with the remaining meatballs.

Serve hot and enjoy your delicious meatballs!

Nutritional Information (per serving)