Air Fryer Italian Meatballs
Tender, juicy Italian-style meatballs made with a beef and turkey blend, air fried at 400°F for a lightly crisp exterior. They come together with pantry seasonings and Parmesan in under 30 minutes. Perfect for weeknight dinners, appetizers, or meal prep.
Equipment
- Air fryer
- Large mixing bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Instant-read thermometer (optional)
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef (90/10)
- 1/2 pound lean ground turkey
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1/3 cup seasoned breadcrumbs Italian style preferred
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped
- 1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese grated
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- as needed olive oil spray for air fryer basket
Instructions
- Combine the ground beef and ground turkey in a large mixing bowl.
- Add the egg and milk and mix gently until incorporated.
- Add breadcrumbs, parsley, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, onion powder, salt, and pepper; mix with your hands just until combined (do not overmix).
- Form the mixture into 16 meatballs about 1.5 inches in diameter and set on a plate or tray.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 3 minutes. Spray the basket lightly with olive oil spray.
- Arrange meatballs in a single layer in the basket with space between each (cook in batches if needed).
- Air fry at 400°F for 16 to 18 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
- Check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F for doneness, if desired.
- Remove and let rest for 2 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Seasoned breadcrumbs add built-in flavor; panko also works but yields a lighter texture.
- For extra moisture, mix in 1 tablespoon ricotta before forming the meatballs.
- For a Parmesan crust, roll formed meatballs in extra grated Parmesan before air frying.
- If swapping turkey with ground beef, reduce cook time by about 2 minutes.
- Olive oil spray helps prevent sticking; don’t skip it.
- Storage: refrigerate up to 4 days or freeze up to 3 months; reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 6–8 minutes.
- Yield: about 16 meatballs (4 servings).