Description
These Air Fryer Meatballs are a quick and easy way to enjoy homemade, flavorful meatballs with a perfectly crispy exterior and juicy interior. Made with ground beef, Parmesan cheese, and Italian seasonings, they are cooked effortlessly in the air fryer for a healthier alternative to traditional frying.
Ingredients
Meatball Mixture
- ½ cup Panko bread crumbs
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup very finely minced yellow onion
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 pound ground beef (80 or 85% lean)
Instructions
- Soak Bread Crumbs: Place the Panko bread crumbs and milk in a large mixing bowl, stir together, and let sit for 5 minutes to allow the crumbs to absorb the milk, helping keep the meatballs moist.
- Mix Seasonings: Add the egg, finely minced yellow onion, grated Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to the bread crumb mixture. Use a fork to mix well until fully combined.
- Add Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the bowl and use your hands to gently mix it into the other ingredients. Be careful not to overmix to avoid tough meatballs.
- Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (204°C) for 5 minutes to ensure even cooking.
- Shape Meatballs: While the air fryer preheats, shape the meat mixture into 16 evenly sized meatballs, each about 1 ½ inches in diameter. Place them on a sheet of parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Arrange in Air Fryer: Place the meatballs in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure to leave space between each meatball for proper air circulation. Cook in batches if necessary.
- Air Fry: Cook the meatballs at 400°F for 10 to 12 minutes, or until they are fully cooked and reach an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) when checked with an instant-read thermometer.
- Serve: Serve the cooked meatballs with your favorite spaghetti and marinara sauce, in meatball subs, or as desired.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef (80-85%) for best texture and flavor.
- Do not overmix the meat to keep the meatballs tender.
- Ensure meatballs are spaced out in the air fryer basket for even cooking.
- Using an instant-read thermometer guarantees perfectly cooked meatballs.
- Leftover meatballs can be refrigerated up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Italian American
