The air fryer meatballs are a practical and quick way to cook meatballs like they were fried, but with very little oil and without making a mess in the kitchen. I haven’t had the air fryer for long, but I must say that among all the recipes I’ve tried – the roasted zucchini, the chicken cutlets, the roasted fennel… – the meatballs are perhaps what I found most useful; meatballs are one of the dishes I make most often: I usually deep-fry them or cook them in white sauce or in tomato sauce. With the air fryer, I can cook them in about ten minutes, achieving a result practically identical to fried meatballs, but lighter and healthier. The mixture can be customized as desired, and the shape varies according to taste: larger, smaller, round, or flattened. Of course, times and methods may change based on the size of the meatballs and the type of fryer, so it’s always good to test near the end of cooking by opening one to check that it’s cooked inside. In the end, it’s a small change: the same taste with less effort and fewer things to wash. Air fryer meatballs make dinner simpler and more practical, which is enough to keep this recipe handy!
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- Difficulty: Very Easy
- Cost: Very Cheap
- Preparation time: 15 Minutes
- Portions: 4 People
- Cooking methods: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: All Seasons
- Energy 287.14 (Kcal)
- Carbohydrates 17.65 (g) of which sugars 1.42 (g)
- Proteins 31.43 (g)
- Fat 10.59 (g) of which saturated 4.14 (g)of which unsaturated 2.24 (g)
- Fibers 1.39 (g)
- Sodium 1,790.14 (mg)
Indicative values for a portion of 155 g processed in an automated way starting from the nutritional information available on the CREA* and FoodData Central** databases. It is not food and / or nutritional advice.
* CREATES Food and Nutrition Research Center: https://www.crea.gov.it/alimenti-e-nutrizione https://www.alimentinutrizione.it ** U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov
Ingredients for about 25 meatballs to cook in the air fryer
For gluten-free meatballs, I use sliced bread and gluten-free breadcrumbs.
- 1.1 lbs beef (ground)
- 2.8 oz sliced bread (gluten-free for me)
- 1.4 oz Parmigiano Reggiano DOP (grated)
- to taste milk
- 1 egg (medium)
- 1 bunch parsley (chopped)
- to taste breadcrumbs (gluten-free for me)
- 1 pinch salt
- to taste pepper
- 3 sprays extra virgin olive oil
Tools
- 1 Bowl
- 2 Small bowls
- 1 Air Fryer
- Air fryer parchment paper
- 1 Oil Sprayer
Air Fryer Meatballs: How to Cook Them to Get Crispy Outside and Soft Inside
To prepare the air fryer meatballs, start with the recipe for classic meatballs: soak the bread crumb in milk for a few minutes (1). Squeeze it and place it in a bowl along with the ground meat, Parmesan, egg, chopped parsley, a good pinch of salt, and a grind of pepper (2). Mix well with your hands to perfectly combine all the ingredients (3).
Pour some breadcrumbs into a small bowl. Take small portions of the mixture (about 0.7-0.9 oz each) and form balls (4), then roll them in the breadcrumbs (5) to coat completely. I prefer to make small meatballs that cook in 8-10 minutes, but if you prefer larger meatballs, just increase the cooking time by 2-3 minutes.
Place a sheet of paper at the bottom of the air fryer basket, then place the meatballs and spray them with 3 sprays of extra virgin olive oil (6). If you don’t have an oil sprayer, you can brush them using a kitchen brush. Cook the meatballs in the air fryer at 356°F for 8-10 minutes (no need to preheat) or until golden, turning them halfway (7). Check one to ensure it’s cooked inside, and if not, continue cooking for another 2-3 minutes.
Serve the meatballs immediately, as a main dish or as a snack to serve during an aperitif.
Storage
Store the meatballs in the refrigerator, in a glass container, for 2 or 3 days.
Tips and Variations
You can make the meatballs with the type of meat you prefer: veal, chicken, pork, turkey, or even better, a mix of different types for a richer flavor. This recipe will give you simple and genuine flavored meatballs, suitable for children too; however, you can enrich them with other flavors, for example by adding a crushed garlic clove, some lemon zest, or a pinch of nutmeg.
