It’s so quick and easy to make a batch of meatballs in the air fryer. They come out moist and tender. Enjoy them on meatball subs or simmered in a pot of homemade pasta sauce. This is one of my favorite quick and easy recipes!
Meatballs are a great answer to “what should I make for dinner?” If you want to make a batch quickly, grab your air fryer. They take less time to make than a batch of baked meatballs. A lot less time! A batch cooks in about 7 minutes. And they come out just as tender and flavorful.
Ingredients
Here’s what you need to make this recipe.
Lean ground beef. I like to use lean ground beef, around 95% lean. It makes meatballs that are flavorful but not greasy.
- Lean ground beef. I like to use lean ground beef, around 95% lean. It makes meatballs that are flavorful but not greasy. You can also use a blend of ground beef and ground pork
- Bread crumbs. You can use panko or traditional dried breadcrumbs.
- Milk. Soaking the bread crumbs in milk softens them.
- Egg. One egg helps to hold the mixture together.
- Onion. I like to grate my onions. This way there’s pieces of raw onions in the baked meatballs.
- Parmesan cheese. Totally optional but I like the flavor it adds.
- Garlic. Minced garlic adds a nice flavor.
- Dried Basil and Oregano. Use dried basil and oregano or an Italian blend of herbs.
- Salt and Pepper.
How to Make Meatballs in the Air Fryer
This recipe takes about 30 minutes from start to finish. Here are the steps.
- Combine the bread crumbs and milk. Let the mixture sit for a few minutes. This mixture, called a panade, softens the breadcrumbs and makes for nice moist meatballs.
- Place all the ingredients in a medium mixing bowl. Use a bowl that’s big enough to combine the meatball mixture.
- Stir everything together. If you don’t want to use your hands, use a wooden spoon.
- Scoop and shape. I like to use a large cookie scoop for this step. It makes it fast and then all the meatballs are the same size. This ensures they cook evenly. Place the shaped meatballs onto a baking sheet.
- Preheat the air fryer for a few minutes. The preheat time will depend on your model. Mine recommends 3 to 4 minutes. Place the meatballs into the basket or tray. If you have a small air fryer, you might need to cook them in two batches.
- Cook until the meatballs are brown and reach 165℉ in the center. This takes about 7 minutes.
Serving Suggestions
- Pasta and Meatballs. Cook pasta, add your favorite homemade pasta sauce. Serve with a large green salad.
- Subs. Split sub rolls, spoon on pasta sauce, add meatballs. Top with mozzarella cheese. Broil until cheese is melted and golden brown.
- Blue Plate Special. Serve the meatballs with mashed potatoes, a generous helping of gravy, and some garlicky green beans.
How to Store Leftovers
Store any leftover meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for three to four days.
If you want to freeze them, place the cooked and cooled meatballs in a freezer container. They keep for up to two months. Remember to date the container!
Recipe originally shared January 2020. Updated May 2024 with new photos and step-by-step information.
Air Fryer Meatballs
These air fryer meatballs are moist, tender, and flavorful.
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup dried breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 pound lean ground beef (90% lean)
- 1 large egg
- ⅓ cup grated parmesan
- 1 small onion, grated or very finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced or put through a garlic press
- 2 teaspoons dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
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Combine the breadcrumbs and milk in a large bowl. Allow to sit for five minutes.
Add the ground beef, egg, grated onion, minced garlic, parmesan, basil, oregano, pepper, and salt. Mix to combine using your hands or a wooden spoon.
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Scoop the mixture, about two tablespoons each, into balls and place on a plate or baking sheet.
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Preheat the Air Fryer to 400℉. for three minutes. Place meatballs, close together but not touching, into the Air Fryer tray. If your Air Fryer is small, you might need to do this in two batches.
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Cook until the center reaches 165℉, about 7 to 9 minutes. Remove meatballs from the pan.
If you have more meatballs to cook, carefully wipe out the pan and repeat with the remaining mixture. This prevents the second batch of meatballs from sticking to the tray.
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Serve and enjoy. Store leftover meatballs in the refrigerator for up to three days.
Beth says
Nice recipe. I sautéed the onion and garlic to soften before adding to the mix.
Will definitely make again.
Sonya says
Omg my meatballs came so Delicious Brown and juicy
Josh says
Gluten free option on my new air fryer for my Daughter who has celiac. She loves them!
Stan says
If you sauté the onions first then they will not be crunchy. I always like to sauté onions and garlic and let them cool down before adding to the meat.
Janet Sasaki says
They came out perfect. Perfectly browned
Frank says
I love them! Thanks for posting. I add 1/3 cup of graded cheese to make them cheesier