These juicy, tender, and quickly cooked turkey meatballs from the air fryer are nutritious, fulfilling, and incredibly adaptable.
My turkey meatballs are sure to please anyone who has tried air-frying turkey bacon, breast, or burgers.
I make them often because they cook in a fraction of the time and are just as juicy as you would anticipate from pan-fried or baked ones! Table of Contents
Looking for a delicious and healthy way to cook turkey meatballs? Look no further than your air fryer! This handy appliance can whip up perfectly cooked juicy meatballs in just minutes making it a perfect weeknight dinner option.
Why Air Fry Turkey Meatballs?
There are many reasons to love air-frying turkey meatballs:
- Quick and easy: Air frying is a fast and convenient way to cook meatballs. Most recipes take only 10-15 minutes, making them ideal for busy weeknights.
- Healthy: Air frying uses significantly less oil than traditional frying methods, making it a healthier option.
- Juicy and flavorful: Air fryers circulate hot air around the food, resulting in evenly cooked meatballs that are still juicy and flavorful.
- Versatile: Air-fried turkey meatballs can be served as an appetizer, main course, or even added to salads or sandwiches.
How Long to Air Fry Turkey Meatballs
The exact cooking time for air fryer turkey meatballs will vary depending on the size of the meatballs and the power of your air fryer. However, most recipes recommend cooking them for 8-10 minutes at 375°F (190°C).
Here’s a general guideline:
- For small meatballs (1-inch diameter): 8-10 minutes
- For medium meatballs (1.5-inch diameter): 10-12 minutes
- For large meatballs (2-inch diameter): 12-15 minutes
Pro Tip: To ensure even cooking, it’s best to cook the meatballs in a single layer in the air fryer basket. If you need to cook a large batch, cook them in batches.
Tips for Perfect Air-Fried Turkey Meatballs
Here are some additional tips for making the best air-fried turkey meatballs:
- Use lean ground turkey: This will help to prevent the meatballs from becoming dry.
- Add moisture: Mixing in some grated vegetables, like onion or zucchini, can help to keep the meatballs moist.
- Don’t overmix: Overmixing the meatball mixture can make the meatballs tough.
- Use a meat thermometer: This is the best way to ensure that the meatballs are cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Let the meatballs rest: After cooking, let the meatballs rest for a few minutes before serving. This will help them to retain their juices.
Air Fryer Turkey Meatball Recipes
Looking for some inspiration? Here are two delicious air fryer turkey meatball recipes:
- Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs with Parmesan and Pesto: This recipe from Allrecipes combines the classic flavors of Parmesan cheese and pesto for a flavorful and satisfying appetizer or main course.
- Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs with Garlic and Basil: This recipe from The Big Man’s World is a simple and healthy option that is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use frozen turkey meatballs in the air fryer?
A: Yes, you can air fry frozen turkey meatballs. However, you may need to increase the cooking time by a few minutes.
Q: What should I serve with air-fried turkey meatballs?
A: You can serve air-fried turkey meatballs with a range of sides, including salad, mashed potatoes, rice, and pasta. Additionally, you can dunk them in your preferred sauce, like barbecue or marinara.
Q: Can I make air-fried turkey meatballs ahead of time?
A: It is possible to prepare the air-fried turkey meatballs in advance and then reheat them right before serving. Just put the meatballs in the air fryer and heat them up for a few minutes to ensure they are thoroughly heated.
Q: What are some other ways to use air-fried turkey meatballs?
A: You can make a lot of different dishes with air-fried turkey meatballs, like meatball subs, meatball soup, and meatball pizza. They can also be included in wraps or salads for a simple and quick lunch.
You will become an expert in the art of air-frying turkey meatballs with these suggestions and recipes. So fire up your air fryer and get cooking!.
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Healthy. Comparing ground turkey to ground beef or chicken, the former has less saturated fat and calories.
- Fast. These meatballs cook in less than ten minutes, from prep to plating.
- Versatile. They can be made in a multitude of ways, such as tossing them in a sauce, putting them inside a meatball sub, or serving them with salad. They are delicious as an appetizer and as the main course that I usually make for supper.
- Mess-free. My favorite thing about using an air fryer is that it makes deep or pan frying unnecessary, so there’s no cleanup or oil splattering.
What I love most about this recipe is just how incredible the texture is. Similar to our original air fryer meatball recipe, the combination of ingredients guarantees that the meatballs are always juicy and moist in the middle and never dry or flavorless.
This recipe calls for simple meatball staple ingredients that you’ll likely already have on hand. Here is what you’ll need:
- Ground turkey. Both lean and standard ground turkey work. I prefer the former because it’s healthier and yields a more tender meatball.
- Breadcrumbs. Standard or wholewheat. I wouldn’t suggest utilizing panko bread crumbs because they have a tendency to dry out the meat when air-fried.
- Garlic. Always use the fresh kind, not dried garlic.
- Dried basil. To add flavor.
- Salt. To taste.
- Egg. Room temperature.
- Milk. Adds moistness to the meatballs.
Find the printable recipe with measurements below.
How to air fry turkey meatballs
These meatballs are an easy meal and follow just 4 simple steps below:
Step 1: Preheat the air fryer. Start by preheating the air fryer at 200C/400F for 5 minutes.
Step 2: Mix all the meatball ingredients. Combine all the ingredients, except the ground turkey, in a large bowl. Using a spatula or your hands, thoroughly mix the mixture.
Step 3: Shape meatballs. Using your hands, shape 12-15 meatballs. I like lightly wetting my hards beforehand as it helps the meat from sticking to my fingers.
Step 4: Air fry the meatballs. Place the meatballs in a greased air fryer basket. Air fry for 8 minutes, flipping halfway through. The meatballs are ready to eat once they reach an internal temperature of 165F.
Step 5: Rest and serve. Allow the meatballs to rest for 5 minutes before serving.