The meatballs without eggs in the air fryer are crispy and golden like the classic fried meatballs that grandmothers and mothers prepare, yet they remain easy to digest and light.
Why without eggs?
It is a basic recipe suitable for those with food allergies or intolerances, but also for anyone who — for health or dietary reasons — prefers not to combine different protein sources.
If you don’t have an air fryer you can cook them in a skillet.
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: Affordable
- Preparation time: 20 Minutes
- Cooking time: 15 Minutes
- Portions: 2People
- Cooking methods: Air frying, Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
For my meatballs I used:
selected minced meat, a mix of beef and pork, lean first-cut – if you want even leaner meatballs you can use white meat mince for example chicken or turkey, preferably breast.
- 8.5 oz mixed minced meat (beef and pork, lean first cut)
- 1 tbsp breadcrumbs (or whole-wheat breadcrumbs (about 15 g / 1 heaping tbsp))
- 1 tbsp grated cheese (grated: caciocavallo, grana, or parmesan (about 15 g / 1 heaping tbsp))
- 1 pinch garlic powder (optional)
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 pinch mixed peppercorns (for a grinder)
- to taste chopped parsley
- 1 drizzle extra virgin olive oil
Suggested tools
- 1 Bowl
- Measuring Spoons measuring spoons
- 1 Plate or tray
- Air fryer
- Skillet nonstick
Preparation
In a bowl, combine:
– the minced meat;
– the breadcrumbs, about 1 heaping tablespoon;
– the grated cheese, about 1 heaping tablespoon;
– garlic powder [optional];
– a pinch of salt;
– a pinch of pepper;
– chopped parsley if you like;
and mix well until you obtain a homogeneous mixture.
Use your hands to form balls, compacting them by rolling between your palms.
For a crispier result, press them slightly.
Place them on a plate or tray.To get uniform meatballs you can use two spoons.
If you are not in a hurry, chill in the refrigerator to firm up for at least half an hour.
Your meatballs without eggs are ready to cook.
Meatballs crispy and golden like the classic fried meatballs that grandmothers and mothers make but digestible and light:
– in the air fryer;
– in a skillet.Since this is a minced meat preparation, the meatballs must always be well cooked and not undercooked to avoid the risk of foodborne illness from pathogenic microorganisms.
Lightly brush the entire surface of the meatballs with oil and proceed with air fryer cooking.
The air-fried meatballs cook at 356°F for about 14 minutes, turning them halfway through cooking.
Follow the instructions — program, temperature and times — indicated in your appliance manual.
Check the degree of doneness from time to time.Procedure with my Ariete air fryer – Friggi Sano [Eurospin]:
– set the temperature to 356°F;
– preheat for 5 minutes;
– remove the basket, oil the grill accessory with a paper towel and arrange the meatballs without overlapping;
– cook for 7 minutes;
– remove the basket;
– gently turn the meatballs;
– continue cooking for 7 minutes.Remove the basket, check the doneness and if desired extend until you reach the desired crispiness and browning by shaking the basket or turning the meatballs when necessary.
Your meatballs without eggs in the air fryer are ready.
Enjoy your meal!
Use a good quality nonstick skillet.
You can oil its surface with a paper towel.
Preheat the skillet.Lightly brush the entire surface of the meatballs with oil and proceed with cooking in the nonstick skillet.
In general, cooking times may vary depending on the shape and size of your meatballs.
Turn them halfway through cooking to even out the color.Let the meat rest covered for a few minutes after cooking.
Serve plain or accompanied by homemade tomato sauce.
Meatballs are an entrée easy to balance with carbohydrates preferably whole grain [bread, pasta or rice] and vegetables so as to compose a balanced meal or one-dish meal that helps keep blood sugar stable.
We usually accompany them with pasta with tomato and eggplant:
– pasta alla Norma;
– pasta alla Norma light.– meatballs;
– hamburgers and mini hamburgers.
Storage, tips and variations
If you wish, you can keep the same amounts and add an egg.
You can use gluten-free breadcrumbs for a gluten-free version.
You can omit the cheese.
You can flavor the mixture with aromatic herbs or spices.
Cooked meatballs can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for a couple of days.
You can reheat them in the oven or in the air fryer.
FAQ (Questions and Answers)
You should know!
Since this is a minced meat preparation, it must always be well cooked and not undercooked to avoid the risk of foodborne diseases from pathogenic microorganisms.
On a steak any contamination remains superficial and is eliminated during cooking.
– for this reason it is possible to eat a steak rare or medium rare.
In minced meat preparations contamination can spread internally.
– therefore when consuming hamburgers, meatballs or other dishes made with minced meat it is important that the cooking is complete and there are no pink or undercooked areas.Which meat for meatballs?
– beef;
– pork;
– mixed beef and pork;
– chicken;
– turkey.Cuts of meat for light meatballs
For light meatballs ask for a selected minced cut that is a lean first-cut.
Your trusted butcher will serve you best.
For reference, lean cuts are:
– topside or eye of round for beef;
– tenderloin or loin for pork;
* pork loin is a cut where the lean part is easily distinguishable from the fat and can therefore be trimmed.Which mince for meatballs?
First-cut mince is leaner.
Second-cut mince is fattier.
For light meatballs choose first-cut mince.
