These turkey meatballs cooked in an air fryer are juicy and tender, and they cook up quickly. They are healthy, filling, and can be used in a lot of different ways.
My turkey meatballs are sure to please anyone who has cooked turkey breast, turkey bacon, or turkey burgers in an air fryer before.
They are always juicy, just like pan-fried or baked ones, but they cook up in a lot less time!
Air fryers have become one of the most popular kitchen appliances in recent years. With their ability to make crispy foods with little to no oil, it’s no wonder homemade air fryer turkey meatballs have become a new favorite.
I’ve made turkey meatballs many ways over the years – baked, pan-fried, and even oven-roasted But using the air fryer yields meatballs that are perfectly browned on the outside with a moist, juicy interior in a fraction of the time. No more waiting around for the oven to preheat or dealing with the splatter mess of pan frying
After testing different methods and recipes I’m sharing everything I’ve learned about getting the best results for air fryer turkey meatballs every time.
Why Choose Turkey Meatballs?
Switching from beef or pork to ground turkey has some excellent health benefits. Turkey is leaner with less saturated fat and calories compared to other ground meats. Using 93% lean ground turkey yields even more benefits.
Turkey meatballs are also budget-friendly and pleasing for the whole family. Even picky kids seem to love turkey meatballs. Adults appreciate getting more nutrition without sacrificing any flavor.
Tips for the Best Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs
Follow these simple tips for turkey meatballs that turn out perfectly moist and packed with flavor:
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Don’t overmix the meat – Gently mix ingredients just until combined. Overmixing toughens the texture.
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Use fresh garlic – Jarred minced garlic doesn’t compare to fresh garlic flavor.
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Add an egg – The egg helps bind everything together.
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Use breadcrumbs – They provide structure without drying out the meat. Avoid panko breadcrumbs.
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Brown properly – Cook at 400°F, flipping halfway through until 165°F internal temperature.
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Avoid overcrowding – Meatballs need space to brown evenly. Work in batches if needed.
Cleanup Made Easy
One of the best perks of using the air fryer for meatballs is how easy cleanup is. There’s no oily splatter to deal with like pan frying. A simple wipe down of the air fryer basket is all it takes.
Flavor Variations to Try
The basic meatball flavor combo of onion, garlic, and Italian herbs is a perfect place to start. But you can also change up the taste by adding any of the following:
- Grated parmesan cheese
- Minced fresh parsley or basil
- Sautéed mushrooms
- Crumbled bacon
- Crushed red pepper flakes
- Smoked paprika or chili powder
- Sliced olives
- Sun-dried tomatoes
- Fresh lemon zest
- Sliced almonds
Switch up the ground meat as well. You can make delicious meatballs with ground chicken, beef, pork or a blend.
Serving Suggestions
The possibilities are endless when it comes to serving air fryer turkey meatballs. Here are some of my favorites:
- Toss with pasta and marinara sauce for spaghetti and meatballs.
- Stuff into a hero or sub roll for tasty meatball subs.
- Serve over zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash instead of pasta.
- Simmer in a creamy mushroom sauce.
- Add to soups and chilis.
- Top a Greek salad.
- Serve as an appetizer with a dipping sauce.
You really can’t go wrong with air fryer turkey meatballs! Their versatility makes them perfect for everything from quick weeknight dinners to party appetizers.
Storing and Freezing Cooked Meatballs
Proper storage is key to enjoying your turkey meatballs all week long after making a big batch.
To store: Place cooled meatballs in an airtight container and refrigerate up to 5 days.
To freeze: Flash freeze meatballs in a single layer on a sheet pan before transferring to a freezer bag or container. They’ll keep frozen for 4-6 months.
To reheat: Bake frozen meatballs at 400°F until warm, about 15 minutes. Or reheat frozen or chilled meatballs in the air fryer at 400°F for 5-8 minutes until hot.
Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs Recipe
Now that you know my tips and tricks, get ready to enjoy the ease and delicious flavor of air fryer turkey meatballs. Try my basic recipe to start.
Once you master the method, have fun trying flavor additions and various serving suggestions.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground turkey (93% lean recommended)
- 1⁄2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1⁄4 cup onion, grated
- 1 Tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1⁄2 tsp salt
- 1⁄4 tsp black pepper
- Oil for air fryer basket
Instructions:
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In a large bowl, mix all ingredients except oil until just combined. Do not overmix.
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Form mixture into 1-1 1⁄2 inch balls. You should get 16-20 meatballs.
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Preheat air fryer to 400°F. Rub oil on basket to prevent sticking.
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Place meatballs in a single layer in basket. Air fry 12-14 minutes, flipping halfway, until 165°F internal temperature.
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Let meatballs rest 5 minutes before serving.
That’s all you need for the juiciest air fryer turkey meatballs you’ve ever tasted! Crispy on the outside, moist inside, and full of flavor in way less time than traditional methods.
Recipe tips and variations
- Do not over-cook. You don’t want to cook the meatballs longer than they need to be for any recipe that calls for ground turkey. To ensure perfection, my #1 tip is to check the internal temperature using a meat thermometer. Once it reaches 165F, the meatballs are ready.
- Use other ground meat. They taste great with any kind of ground meat, but beef is the best.
- Add aromatic mix-ins. To change the taste, you can grate an onion, sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top, or add finely chopped vegetables.
- Toss through a sauce. When I make a big batch of my pomodoro sauce or sugo (Italian tomato sauce), I love to mix the meatballs in with it and serve them over pasta. You can also use any marinara sauce.
- Add more spices. You can add smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, dried parsley, or even Cajun seasoning. I kept it simple by only using dried basil.
To store. Meatballs that have already been cooked can be kept in the fridge for up to 5 days in a shallow container.
To freeze. They stay juicy and tender for up to 6 months if you freeze them in airtight containers or freezer-safe bags.
To reheat. Either reheat in a non-stick skillet until hot or back again in the air fryer.
Sometime during the week, I like to make a bunch of these meatballs and freeze them without cooking them. To do this, wrap the uncooked meatballs in saran wrap and store them in the freezer. They keep well for up to 6 months and can be cooked from frozen.
Your meatballs might get mushy when they’re cooked if you let the mixture sit for too long before rolling it into balls.
If you use pre-frozen and pre-made meatballs, you can add them directly into the air fryer. Air fry them for 10 minutes at 200C/400F, shaking the air fryer basket several times throughout.
If you omit the eggs or milk, you risk the meatballs falling apart during the cooking process. To ensure this doesn’t happen, please stick to my recommended measurements.
Yes, if you don’t want to air fry them, you can bake them in the oven. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly grease the top. Place the shaped meatballs on it and bake for 25-30 minutes, flipping once.
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Healthy. Using ground turkey instead of ground beef or chicken cuts down on calories and saturated fat.
- Fast. From making the meatballs to serving them, it takes less than 10 minutes.
- Versatile. There are so many ways to serve them: add a sauce, put them in a meatball sub, or put them on top of a salad. I usually make them as a main dish for dinner, but they’re also good as an appetizer.
- Mess-free. My favorite thing about using an air fryer is that I don’t have to deep fry or pan-fry, so there is no oil to clean up or splatter.
What I love most about this recipe is just how incredible the texture is. The mix of ingredients in these meatballs, just like in our original air fryer meatball recipe, makes sure they never get dry or bland and are always juicy and moist in the middle.
This recipe calls for simple meatball staple ingredients that you’ll likely already have on hand. Here is what you’ll need:
- Ground turkey. Both lean and standard ground turkey work. I like the first one better because it’s healthier and makes a softer meatball.
- Breadcrumbs. Standard or wholewheat. You shouldn’t use panko bread crumbs because they dry out the meat when you air fry it.
- Garlic. Always use the fresh kind, not dried garlic.
- Dried basil. To add flavor.
- Salt. To taste.
- Egg. Room temperature.
- Milk. Adds moistness to the meatballs.
Find the printable recipe with measurements below.
Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs
How to make Turkey meatballs in air fryer?
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.
How long do you air Fry Turkey meatballs?
Shape out 12-15 meatballs and place a single layer into a greased air fryer basket. Air fry the turkey meatballs for 8 minutes, flipping halfway through. Once the meatballs reach an internal temperature of 165F, they are ready to eat. Let the turkey meatballs rest for 5 minutes before serving.
How do you cook ground turkey in an air fryer?
Add ground turkey, breadcrumbs, oregano, garlic, salt, pepper, egg, and parsley to a medium-sized bowl. Mix until evenly combined. Don’t be afraid to use your hands to get everything mixed well. Roll into 15 equal-sized meatballs and set aside on parchment paper. Add Meatballs to the preheated air fryer in a single layer. DOn’t overlap them.
How do you make turkey burgers in an air fryer?
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.
How do you reheat frozen meatballs in an air fryer?
Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to around 350°F (175°C). Single Layer: Place the meatballs in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they’re not touching. Reheating Time: Heat them for about 3-5 minutes if refrigerated, or 6-8 minutes if frozen. No need to defrost frozen meatballs before reheating them.
How do you store meatballs in an air fryer?
Storing: Let cool and transfer the meatballs to a shallow air-tight container and store them in the fridge for 3-4 days. To reheat, preheat your air fryer to 350F and cook, tossing the basket once or twice, for 4-5 minutes. Freezing: Make an extra bath or two to freeze for later.