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 frying turkey meatballs is a quick and healthy way to make a delicious dinner. With just a few simple ingredients, you can have tender, juicy meatballs with a nice crispy crust in under 30 minutes.
Why Air Fry Turkey Meatballs?
There are several benefits to air frying turkey meatballs rather than pan frying or baking them
-
Quick cooking time – Air frying cooks food quickly by circulating hot air around it, Turkey meatballs take only 10-15 minutes to cook through
-
Less fat and calories – The air fryer requires little to no oil for cooking, resulting in a healthier final product. Turkey is also a leaner meat than beef
-
Even cooking – The hot air circulates around the food to cook it evenly on all sides. No more dry edges or undercooked centers!
-
Easy cleanup – With minimal oil used, there is less splattering and mess. The air fryer basket also goes right into the dishwasher after use.
Ingredients Needed
Part of the appeal of air fried turkey meatballs is that the ingredient list is simple. Here is what you’ll need:
- Ground turkey (lean or standard)
- Breadcrumbs or panko crumbs
- Egg
- Minced garlic
- Chopped onion (optional)
- Fresh parsley or basil
- Parmesan cheese (optional)
- Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper
How to Make Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs
Making juicy turkey meatballs in the air fryer takes just a few easy steps:
-
Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Allow it to fully preheat before adding the meatballs.
-
Mix the ingredients in a bowl until well combined. Be careful not to overmix.
-
Shape into balls and roll between your palms to form even spheres. Place the shaped meatballs on a tray or plate.
-
Spray the air fryer basket with oil to prevent sticking. You can also brush the basket with oil.
-
Cook the meatballs for 10-15 minutes, shaking halfway through. They should reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
-
Let the meatballs rest for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Flavor Variations
One of the best parts of making your own meatballs is customizing the flavors. Here are some tasty variations to try:
-
Italian – Use Italian seasoning, parsley, grated parmesan, garlic.
-
Greek – Add dried oregano, mint, feta, lemon zest.
-
Tex-Mex – Use cumin, chili powder, cilantro, smoked paprika.
-
Asian – Grate in ginger and add soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, scallions.
-
Mediterranean – Include parsley, mint, lemon zest, sumac.
Serving Suggestions
Turkey meatballs are extremely versatile and pair well with pasta, grains, vegetables, and more. Here are some serving ideas:
- Classic spaghetti and meatballs with tomato sauce
- Meatball subs with mozzarella and marinara on crusty rolls
- Over zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash as a low-carb option
- In a turkey meatball and vegetable sheet pan dinner
- On top of a fresh garden salad
- Slider-style on mini buns with desired toppings
Meatballs can also be tucked into soups, stews, and chilis or served as an appetizer with a dipping sauce.
Storage and Freezing
Leftover air fried turkey meatballs will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. To freeze, allow cooked meatballs to cool completely then place in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Freeze until solid and transfer to a freezer bag or container. Frozen meatballs last for 3-4 months.
To reheat, place refrigerated meatballs in a 400°F oven or air fryer until warmed through. For frozen, reheat at 300°F in the oven or microwave in 30 second intervals until hot.
Make Juicy Turkey Meatballs Tonight
Air frying creates tender and moist turkey meatballs in way less time than traditional cooking methods. With just a few pantry staples, you can customize the flavors and enjoy these meatballs in endless ways. Give this easy air fryer recipe a try for your next weeknight dinner!
How to air fry turkey meatballs
These meatballs are an easy meal and follow just 4 simple steps below:
Step 1: Preheat the air fryer. Start by preheating the air fryer at 200C/400F for 5 minutes.
Step 2: Mix all the meatball ingredients. Put all of your ingredients, including the ground turkey, in a large bowl. Use a spatula or your hands to mix the ingredients together well.
Step 3: Shape meatballs. Using your hands, shape 12-15 meatballs. I like lightly wetting my hards beforehand as it helps the meat from sticking to my fingers.
Step 4: Air fry the meatballs. Place the meatballs in a greased air fryer basket. Air fry for 8 minutes, flipping halfway through. The meatballs are ready to eat once they reach an internal temperature of 165F.
Step 5: Rest and serve. Allow the meatballs to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
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
FAQ
How long do you air fry a turkey breast?
How long to heat up meatballs in the air fryer?
How do you tell if turkey meatballs are fully cooked?
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.
Can you cook ground turkey in an air fryer?
To make, preheat the air fryer. Combine the meatball ingredients in a large bowl and form into balls. Wipe the bottom of the air fryer with oil or use an oil spray (I love 100% avocado oil spray). Add the meatballs in a single layer to the air fryer. Now cook and eat! What ground turkey is best to use?
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 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 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.