These easy Air Fryer Meatballs are perfectly crisp on the outside, juicy on the inside, and only take a few minutes to make. Whip together a big batch and keep them in the freezer for a quick weeknight meal.
Want to try more air fryer recipes? Try my Air Fryer Chicken Wings, Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries, or Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets.
Why I love this recipe:
Best way to cook meatballs: they cook quickly and have the perfect texture.
Meal Prep: The meatballs are freezer friendly and can reheat from frozen in the air fryer. Great for meal prep lunch buddah bowls, or to quickly throw together Swedish Meatballs or Green Curry Meatballs.
How to cook Raw Meatballs in Air Fryer:
Mix Ingredients: Add all meatball ingredients EXCEPT the meat. Stir and rest for 10 minutes so the crackers can soak up the liquid. Add the meat and mix just until combined (don’t over mix).
Form Meatballs: Scoop meat mixture into 15 meatballs, about the size of golf balls, then gently sprinkle them all around with flour.
Air Fry: Preheat air fryer if needed then spray basket with cooking spray and add meatballs in one layer leaving a little space between each. Air fry for 9-11 minutes or until cooked through. Rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Serve or Store leftover homemade air fryer meatballs in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Serve Air Fryer Meatballs with:
- Swedish Meatballs
- Meatball Subs
- Spaghetti sauce and pasta.
- Pink Sauce Pasta
- Mashed Potatoes
- Roasted Veggies
Make Ahead and Freezing Instructions:
To Make Ahead: These homemade air fryer meatballs can be made and shaped one day ahead of time (depending on the freshness of the meat). Keep in an airtight container in the fridge then cook when you’re ready.
To Freeze: for uncooked meatballs, “flash freeze” on a cookie sheet first to prevent them from sticking together. Both cooked and uncooked meatballs freeze well in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Reheat in the air fryer.
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Recipe
Air Fryer Meatballs
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup crushed saltine crackers
- 1/4 cup low-sodium beef broth
- 2 Tablespoons dried parsley flakes
- 1 large egg , lightly beaten
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano leaves
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 pound lean ground beef or ground turkey
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour , for dredging
Instructions
- Mix Meatball Ingredients: In a large bowl combine all ingredients except for the meat. Stir and rest for 10 minutes so the crackers can soak up the liquid. Add the meat and mix just until combined (don’t over mix).
- Form 15 meatballs about the size of golf balls, and gently sprinkle them all around with flour. Preheat air fryer to 400.
- Air Fry: Spray the basket with cooking spray, add meatballs in one layer leaving a little space between each. Air fry for 9-11 minutes or until cooked through. Rest for 5 minutes before serving.
- Store leftover meatballs in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Notes
Nutrition
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I originally shared this recipe January 2022. Updated March 2024.
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Best
I used these for spaghetti and meatballs tonight, and they were wonderful! So happy to have an extra batch in the freezer for the next time. I received an air fryer for Christmas, and am so excited to try out new recipes in it. Thank you for all your great dishes!
Made these for pasta night and they were devoured! When all my kids go back for seconds (or thirds), I know it’s a hit. Will definitely be making agin.
I don’t have an air fryer, but wonder if I can use my convection oven, and it will cook the same?