Air Fryer Ground Turkey Meatballs
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Golden brown and moist Turkey Meatballs straight from the air fryer! Ready in 30 minutes and with no splattering oil, these meatballs make your life incredibly easy and…delicious!
Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs are a leaner, healthier meatball you can make in under 30 minutes that isn’t greasy or high in fats, but is every bit as delicious as traditional baked meatballs.
The air fryer makes incredibly moist turkey meatballs with a golden brown crust that are super versatile and can be used for a ton of easy meals in place of ground beef meatballs. They’re also a great option for meal prep.
Eat them with the classic spaghetti and meatballs, serve them as a meatball sub, or add them to a vegetable soup or baked pasta dishes. You can also make mini meatballs as a party or potluck appetizer. These meatballs also freeze really well, so they’re a perfect option for when time is tight.
Why You’ll Love This Turkey Meatball Recipe
- The fastest way to make meatballs. They’re ready in less than 30 minutes!
- Make a big batch and freeze it for later.
- Air frying gives you a healthier, tastier meatball that isn’t greasy like ground pork and beef.
- The air fryer makes incredibly moist turkey meatballs with a golden brown crust.
- Turkey meatballs are super versatile and can be used for a ton of easy meals, and they freeze really well!
Ingredients for Ground Turkey Meatballs
This air fryer meatballs recipe calls for simple ingredients, but make sure they’re fresh for the best tasting results.
- Ground turkey – I like to use the 85% lean/15% fat blend so the meatballs stay moist and have a great flavor.
- Seasoned bread crumbs – If you can’t find seasoned breadcrumbs, add 2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning and one extra tablespoon of parmesan cheese to the regular breadcrumbs.
- Grated Parmesan cheese – Grate fresh or use the can from the grocery store
- Fresh parsley – finely chopped
- Onion – very finely chopped. Half a small onion is enough.
- Fresh garlic – minced
- 1 large egg – for binding
- Dried oregano
- Coarse Kosher salt
- Ground Black pepper
- Marinara sauce – for serving (optional)
How to Make Turkey Meatballs
Follow these simple Step by Step Instructions for great meatballs every time!
Step 1
Combine all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
Use a spoon (or clean hands) and mix until all the ingredients are just combined.
Step 2
Scoop about 2 tablespoons of the mixture and roll into a ball. Repeat until all the ground turkey is rolled into meatballs.
Step 3
Preheat the air fryer to 400°F and spray with olive oil spray. Spray or brush the meatballs with olive oil as well.
Once the fryer is heated, add the meatballs in a single layer, work in batches if needed to prevent crowding of the air fryer basket.
Step 4
Fry for 10-12 minutes, checking halfway through and flipping the meatballs if necessary.
The meatballs are done cooking when they are golden brown and the internal temperature has reached 165°F on a meat thermometer.
Serve the meatballs with marinara sauce over your favorite pasta or tucked into sandwiches—then dig in and enjoy!
Tips & Tricks
- Use 85% lean/15% fat ground turkey. This will keep the meatballs from getting dry and the little bit of fat in the meat makes them more flavorful!
- Brush or spray the exterior of the meatballs with olive oil for a crisp and browned exterior.
- Air fry the meatballs in batches if necessary to keep the exteriors crisp.
- Avoid overcooking. The ground turkey is cooked when the internal temperature reaches 165°F on a meat thermometer.
Substitutions & Variations
- Gluten-free breadcrumbs can be used for the breadcrumbs.
- Grate the onion instead of mincing if you want no pieces of onion to be visible. But the fresh onion adds moisture and flavor, so don’t omit it!
- Panko bread crumbs are a little big for this recipe, but if that’s all you have, you can make them smaller by crushing them with a rolling pin.
- Italian seasoning can be subbed in equal amounts for the dried oregano.
- Add more flavor, like onion powder or garlic powder, fresh herbs, fresh basil pesto, or minced bell peppers!
- You can make these meatballs bigger or smaller, but you’ll need to adjust the cooking times to the size.
- Ground chicken can be used for the ground turkey. Just add two tablespoons of olive oil to the meatball mixture.
How to Serve Turkey Meatballs
- Serve these air fryer turkey meatballs with tomato sauce and your favorite pasta or zucchini noodles.
- Simmer them in your favorite teriyaki or sweet and sour sauce, served over brown or cauliflower rice.
- These meatballs are delicious served on the side of some Delicious Baked Ziti, in a meatball sub with chips or Homemade French Fries, or added to a cozy Minestrone Soup.
- These turkey meatballs also make great party or game day appetizers!
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Allow leftover cooked meatballs to cool completely to room temp before storing. Store cooled meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Reheat meatballs in the microwave for 45-60 seconds or until heated through. Turkey meatballs can also reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 4-5 minutes until warmed.
Freezing Instructions
Allow the meatballs to cool down completely after frying before packing them in a freezer-safe, airtight container. Freeze for up to 3 months.
For best results, thaw in the fridge before reheating in the air fryer, or add frozen meatballs to simmering marinara to warm gently and add flavor to the sauce!
FAQs
This turkey meatball recipe only takes 10-12 minutes to cook.
The mixture may have been over mixed. Mix lightly with a spoon or your hands until the ingredients are just combined. Also, using only turkey breast or very lean turkey meat can cause the meatballs to become rubbery and tough.
I like to use the 85% Lean, 15% fat blend. This makes the perfect moist meatball that holds together, isn’t rubbery, and has a ton of flavor without being greasy!
Yes! Add the meatballs to a greased 13×9″ baking dish, brush the meatballs with olive oil, and bake covered with foil for 15 minutes at 425°F. Remove the foil and cook the meatballs for 10-15 minutes more until browned and reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
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Air Fried Turkey Meatballs
Ingredients
- 16 oz ground turkey 85% lean /15% fat blend
- 1/2 cup seasoned breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
- 1/2 cup onion very finely minced (half a small onion).
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon coarse Kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl. Using a spoon or clean hands, mix the ingredients until just combined.
- Scoop portions two tablespoons in size and roll into a ball. Repeat until all the ground turkey mixture has been rolled into meatballs.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F and spray or brush the air fryer basket with olive oil. Spray or brush the meatballs with olive oil as well.
- Once the fryer is heated, add the meatballs in a single layer, to the air fryer basket. Work in batches if needed to prevent crowding.
- Air fry for 10-12 minutes, checking halfway through and flipping the meatballs if necessary.
- The meatballs are done cooking when they are golden brown and the internal temperature has reached 165°F on a meat thermometer. Serve with marinara sauce and your favorite pasta and enjoy!
