Description
These juicy air fryer beef meatballs are a simple and delicious recipe perfect for a quick appetizer or a hearty meal. Made with seasoned ground beef, Parmesan cheese, and Italian herbs, they cook up tender and flavorful in the air fryer, cutting down on grease while maintaining a moist texture. Ready in just 22 minutes, they’re perfect for busy weeknights or entertaining guests.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatball Mixture
- 1 pound ground beef (80/20)
- 1/3 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
For Cooking
- Cooking spray or olive oil for air fryer
Instructions
- Prepare the Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, milk, Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently with your hands or a spoon until just combined to avoid tough meatballs.
- Shape the Meatballs: Form the mixture into 1 1/2-inch meatballs, making about 16 meatballs. Ensure they are evenly sized for uniform cooking.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Set the air fryer to 375°F and let it preheat for 3 minutes to ensure even cooking temperature.
- Prepare the Basket: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or brush it with olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Cook the Meatballs: Place the meatballs in a single layer inside the basket, leaving space between each. Cook for 10 to 12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to brown all sides evenly. Ensure the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
- Serve: Remove the meatballs and serve warm with your favorite sauce, over pasta, or as an appetizer.
Notes
- For extra moisture, add 1 tablespoon of finely grated onion to the meatball mixture.
- You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey, pork, or a combination for variation.
- These meatballs freeze well – cook them, allow to cool, then freeze for up to 3 months.
