Description
These Best Air Fryer Meatballs are tender, juicy, and perfectly cooked using the air fryer for a quick and healthy twist on a classic favorite. Packed with savory Italian seasoning, Parmesan cheese, and garlic, these meatballs are ideal for serving with pasta, subs, or as a delightful appetizer.
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 the bread crumbs: In a large mixing bowl, combine the Panko bread crumbs and milk. Stir them together well and let the mixture sit for 5 minutes to soften the bread crumbs thoroughly.
- Mix in seasonings and binder: Add the egg, very finely minced yellow onion, grated Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to the soaked bread crumb mixture. Use a fork to incorporate everything evenly.
- Add ground beef: Introduce the ground beef into the bowl and use your hands to gently combine it with the other ingredients. Be careful not to overmix as this could make the meatballs tough.
- Preheat the air fryer: Set the air fryer to 400°F (204°C) and preheat for 5 minutes to ensure even cooking.
- Shape the meatballs: Form the meat mixture into 16 equal meatballs, each about 1½ inches in diameter. Place them on a sheet of parchment paper to keep them intact before cooking.
- Arrange in air fryer basket: Place the meatballs in a single layer inside the air fryer basket, ensuring there’s space between each for proper air circulation. If necessary, cook in batches to avoid overcrowding.
- Air fry the meatballs: Cook at 400°F for 10-12 minutes. Check that the internal temperature reaches at least 160°F (71°C) using an instant-read thermometer to confirm they are cooked through.
- Serve and enjoy: Once cooked, serve the meatballs hot with spaghetti and marinara sauce, inside meatball subs, or as desired.
Notes
- Using 80 or 85% lean ground beef strikes a good balance between flavor and fat content.
- Don’t overmix the meat mixture to keep meatballs tender.
- Preheat the air fryer for best results and even cooking.
- Leave space between meatballs in the air fryer basket for proper air flow and crispiness.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure meatballs are fully cooked to a safe temperature of 160°F.
- These meatballs freeze well; freeze cooked or uncooked meatballs for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Italian-American
