These 15-minute air fryer turkey meatballs are juicy, flavorful, and perfect with pasta and red sauce for a cozy dinner! They’re healthy, quick, easy, and sure to please the whole family. Plus, you can make them gluten-free too!
If you’ve been following me for a while, you know I’m all about ground turkey recipes! Whether I’m in the mood for something Asian-inspired like my teriyaki turkey meatballs or craving a burger with my air fryer turkey burgers, ground turkey is my go-to. I’ve shared hundreds of air fryer recipes, so trust me when I say these meatballs are a total winner.
These turkey meatballs are juicy, flavorful, and packed with healthy ingredients. The blend of dry spices and fresh basil gives them that perfect Italian flavor. We love serving them with pasta and red sauce, or tossing them in pesto for a simple, satisfying dinner.
They’re also great for meal prepping—make a big batch, and they’ll stay fresh in the fridge for days, with cleanup being a breeze since they’re made in the air fryer. Quick, healthy, and super easy to make!
Air fryers have become increasingly popular in recent years as a convenient way to cook food with less oil than traditional frying One tasty dish you can make in the air fryer is turkey meatballs When cooked properly, air fried turkey meatballs come out tender on the inside with a crispy, browned exterior. But getting the timing right is crucial to perfect meatballs every time. So how long does it take to air fry turkey meatballs to juicy, flavorful perfection?
Factors That Affect Turkey Meatball Air Fry Times
Several factors impact how long to air fry turkey meatballs, including
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Meatball size – Smaller meatballs 1-1,5 inches in diameter take less time than larger meatballs Larger meatballs have more interior mass to heat through,
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Quantity of meatballs – Cooking a larger batch of meatballs takes longer than a smaller amount since more meatballs require more time to come up to temperature.
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Meatball composition – Meatballs made with lean turkey cook faster than those made with higher fat content. Fat content impacts heat conductivity.
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Frozen vs. thawed – Frozen meatballs take longer to air fry than thawed meatballs because the frozen interior needs time to defrost.
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Meatball density – Densely packed meatballs require more cook time than loose ones for the heat to fully penetrate.
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Air fryer wattage – Higher wattage air fryers preheat and cook faster than lower wattage models. Check your owner’s manual.
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Air fryer capacity – Larger air fryer baskets can hold more meatballs than smaller ones, impacting cook times.
Recommended Air Fry Times for Turkey Meatballs
Taking these factors into account, the recommended air fry times for turkey meatballs are:
- Small batch (10 meatballs):
- 1-1.5 inch frozen: 14-16 minutes at 370°F
- 1-1.5 inch thawed: 10-12 minutes at 370°F
- Medium batch (20 meatballs):
- 1-1.5 inch frozen: 17-19 minutes at 370°F
- 1-1.5 inch thawed: 12-14 minutes at 370°F
- Large batch (30 meatballs):
- 1-1.5 inch frozen: 20-22 minutes at 370°F
- 1-1.5 inch thawed: 15-17 minutes at 370°F
For larger 2-3 inch meatballs, add 3-5 minutes to the cook times above.
These times are based on an average 1500 watt air fryer with a 5.3 quart basket capacity. Adjust times as needed for higher/lower wattage or different capacity air fryers.
Pro Tips for Air Frying Turkey Meatballs
Follow these expert tips for flawless air fried turkey meatballs every time:
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Preheat properly – Allow your air fryer to fully preheat before adding meatballs so the cooking process starts immediately.
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Use a meat thermometer – Test meatball internal temp, not just cook times. Turkey meatballs are done at 165°F.
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Turn meatballs halfway – Rotate or turn meatballs midway for even browning and cooking on all sides.
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Brush with oil – Lightly coat meatballs with oil before cooking for optimal browning and texture.
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Don’t overcrowd – Leave space between meatballs for air circulation; cook in batches if needed.
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Pat meatballs dry – Gently pat meatball surface with paper towels pre-cooking to improve browning.
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Let rest before serving – Allow cooked meatballs to rest 5 minutes before serving so juices can redistribute.
How to Tell When Turkey Meatballs Are Done Air Frying
Relying solely on cook times may not give you accurate doneness. Here are ways to check if air fried turkey meatballs are fully cooked:
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Probe test – Use an instant read thermometer to check meatball internal temp for 165°F doneness.
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Cut test – Slice a meatball in half and check that the center is cooked through without any raw pink spots.
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Texture – Fully cooked meatballs will be firm and spring back slightly when pressed. Undercooked ones will seem mushy.
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Color – Internal meatball color should be uniform brown/tan with no pink. Surface should be nicely browned.
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Juices – Piercing meatballs will release clear juices when thoroughly cooked, not red or pink liquids.
Troubleshooting Air Fried Turkey Meatballs
Having issues getting perfect results when air frying turkey meatballs? Here are some common problems and solutions:
Undercooked meatballs – Increase cook time, raise air fryer temp slightly, or cook meatballs in smaller batches. Ensure meatballs meet 165°F internal temp.
Overcooked, dry meatballs – Reduce cook time, lower air fryer temp slightly, and monitor meatballs closely near end of cooking.
Uneven cooking – Reshape meatballs to uniform size, allow proper air circulation between meatballs, and turn/rotate during cooking.
Not browning – Brush meatballs lightly with oil pre-cooking, pat surfaces dry, and make sure not overcrowded in basket.
Falling apart – Ensure meatballs are properly shaped and use egg/breadcrumbs as binder. Handle gently when turning meatballs during cooking.
Air Fryer Turkey Meatball Recipe
To experience perfect air fried turkey meatballs for yourself, try this flavorful recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground turkey (85% lean)
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan
- 2 Tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions:
- In a bowl, combine all ingredients and mix thoroughly until evenly incorporated.
- Shape mixture into 1-1.5 inch meatballs and place on parchment lined air fryer basket, spaced apart.
- Air fry at 370°F for 12-15 minutes, turning meatballs halfway through.
- Cook until meatballs reach an internal temperature of 165°F, about 15-17 minutes total.
- Let rest 5 minutes before serving with your favorite sauce and pasta or veggies!
Get Perfectly Cooked Turkey Meatballs with Your Air Fryer
Mastering the ideal times for air frying turkey meatballs may take some trial and error based on the size of your batch, meatball size, and your particular appliance. But following these tips on recommended cook times, monitoring doneness, and troubleshooting will set you up for deliciously juicy and browned meatballs every time. Just be sure to preheat properly, turn the meatballs during cooking, and use a meat thermometer to confirm doneness. In no time, you’ll be serving up restaurant-quality turkey meatballs from the convenience of your air fryer. Enjoy!
Why you’ll love this easy dinner recipe:
- Healthy: Made with simple, wholesome ingredients
- Juicy: Super tender and packed with flavor
- Authentic: Italian taste with fresh basil and spices
- Quick: Ready in just 15 minutes
- Versatile: Perfect with pasta, red sauce, or pesto for a cozy meal
These air fryer turkey meatballs are made with simple, healthy ingredients for the best flavor and texture. Here is a list of everything you need to make these meatballs:
- Ground turkey: Use lean ground turkey (93% or 94%) for juicy meatballs.
- Egg: Helps bind everything together.
- Breadcrumbs: Italian breadcrumbs give the best texture—use gluten-free if needed. Or, use plain breadcrumbs with a dash of Italian seasoning.
- Dijon mustard: Adds a subtle kick of flavor.
- Spices: Use garlic powder, onion powder, and dried oregano for a burst of flavor.
- Fresh Basil: Fresh basil for that authentic Italian taste.
- Parmesan: Adds a delicious cheesy flavor—use freshly grated or try Asiago for a twist.
These are the best turkey meatballs ever! They’re juicy, full of fresh basil, and easy to make in an air fryer. Here’s how:
Mix all the ingredients in a bowl with your hands. Be careful not to overmix.
Roll the mixture into 16 to 20 meatballs and place them on a plate.
Preheat the air fryer to 360°F. Place the meatballs in a single layer in the basket. Cook in batches if needed.
Air fry for 8 to 10 minutes until fully cooked with an internal temperature of 165°F.
Serve with marinara, pesto, or your favorite sauce over pasta, and enjoy!
- Mix gently: Overmixing can make the meatballs tough. Mix just enough to combine everything for tender, juicy meatballs.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer: Place meatballs in a single layer in the air fryer with some space between them. Cook in batches if needed.
- Even sizing: Use a small cookie scoop to make evenly sized-meatballs. This helps them cook at the same time.
- Meal prep friendly: Make these ahead and store in the fridge for 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Large mixing bowl
- Cookie scoop or spoon
- Air fryer
- Meat thermometer (optional, but I recommend it)
- Measuring Cups
- Make it cheesy: Mix in shredded mozzarella.
- Make them gluten-free: Swap breadcrumbs for almond flour or crushed gluten-free crackers.
- Make them dairy-free: Use dairy-free Parmesan or nutritional yeast instead of regular Parmesan.
- Add veggies: Mix in finely chopped spinach for added nutrients.
- Try a different protein: Use ground chicken or beef instead of turkey.
- Switch the sauce: Serve with BBQ sauce, tzatziki, or garlic aioli instead of marinara.
- Herb twist: Replace basil with fresh parsley or rosemary for a different flavor profile.
- Make it spicy: Add paprika or chili flakes for a spicy kick.
- Dijon mustard swap: Substitute with yellow mustard or a small amount of apple cider vinegar for tang.
Fridge: Store cooked air fryer meatballs in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freezer: Freeze in a single layer on a tray, then transfer to a freezer bag or container for up to 3 months.
Reheating: Warm in the air fryer at 350°F for 3–5 minutes, or microwave until heated through.
Rubbery meatballs are usually the result of overmixing the meat mixture or using extra lean meat without enough fat (for example, 99% lean ground turkey instead of 93%). To avoid this, mix the ingredients gently and consider using a slightly higher-fat ground turkey (like 93% lean) for a tender, juicy texture.
Dry meatballs can happen from overcooking, overmixing, or skipping the egg. To avoid this, cook to the right temp, mix gently, and use the egg for moisture.
Air fry at 360°F for juicy meatballs that cook through without drying out.
It typically takes about 8–10 minutes for meatballs to cook in an air fryer at 360°F, depending on their size. Just make sure the internal temperature reaches 165°F to ensure they’re fully cooked.
Yes! Use gluten-free Italian breadcrumbs or almond flour. If using plain gluten-free breadcrumbs, add a teaspoon of Italian seasoning for extra flavor.
Yes! Bake at 350°F for 12-18 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and cooked through.
Both methods work well, but air frying gives meatballs a crispy exterior while keeping them juicy inside, making it a quicker, more convenient option. Baking is great for larger batches and allows you to cook more meatballs at once, but it won’t give you the same crispy texture as air frying. I only air fry now because it gives the meatballs a crispy, golden exterior while keeping them moist!
More air fryer recipes!
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs
FAQ
How long does it take for meatballs to cook in an air fryer?
Put the meatballs in the air-fryer basket and cook for 10-12 mins until golden and cooked through. You may need to do this in batches, or cook all of them and move them around halfway through cooking. Serve with tomato sauce and pasta, or sandwiched in a sub.
How do you know when turkey meatballs are done?
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Use a thermometer:Always use a food thermometer to check the internal temperature of the meatballs.
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Safe temperature:The internal temperature should reach 165°F to be considered fully cooked.
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Appearance can be misleading:Turkey meat can sometimes remain slightly pink even when fully cooked, so rely on the thermometer reading.
How long does it take to air fry a turkey breast?
Set air-fryer temperature to 400° F. Cook 45-60 minutes, about 7-10 minutes per pound, until a food thermometer inserted registers 165° F.
How long to cook Turkey meatballs in air fryer?
Cook meatballs at 400F for 4 minutes, flipping halfway through cooking time. Meatballs are done when they reach an internal temperature of 156F. Remove meatballs from the air fryer and serve. Serve turkey meatballs with marinara sauce and spaghetti or zoodles for a comforting and simple dinner.
How do you air Fry meatballs in an air fryer?
Spray the bottom of the air fryer basket/pan with avocado oil spray. Add the meatballs to the air fryer in an even layer so they’re not touching. Air fry for 5 minutes. Carefully flip the meatballs and air fry for another 5 minutes. Check one meatball to make sure it’s done and add extra time as needed.
Are air fryer Turkey meatballs healthy?
Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs are a healthier alternative to beef meatballs, packed with delicious flavor and ready in 20 minutes in the Air Fryer. “These look amazing! I plan to make these with sauce over the weekend. My kids love meatballs and I have a pound of turkey waiting in the fridge!”
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?
Do ground Turkey meatballs stick to the bottom of the air fryer?
Yes. Ground turkey meatballs and patties will stick to the bottom if you don’t use an oil spray. I recommend 100% olive oil spray and use it every single time. Another solution is to wipe the bottom of the air fryer (where the meatballs will sit) with olive or avocado oil.
Can you freeze meatballs in an air fryer?
Another solution is to wipe the bottom of the air fryer (where the meatballs will sit) with olive or avocado oil. To freeze, first spread the cooked meatballs in a single layer on a parchment paper lined plate or baking sheet. Place in the freezer until meatballs are frozen (at least two hours).