Description
These air fryer meatballs are a quick and easy way to enjoy tender, flavorful meatballs with a crispy exterior without the need for frying in oil. Made with a mix of ground beef, Parmesan cheese, and fresh herbs, they cook evenly in the air fryer and are perfect served with marinara sauce for a delicious appetizer or main dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For Serving (Optional)
- 1/2 cup marinara sauce
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, egg, minced garlic, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper thoroughly to distribute all flavors evenly.
- Mix Gently: Mix the ingredients together using your hands until just combined; avoid overmixing to keep the meatballs tender and juicy.
- Shape Meatballs: Shape the mixture into approximately 20 meatballs, each about 1 inch in diameter, ensuring they are uniform for even cooking.
- Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for about 5 minutes to ensure a hot cooking environment right from the start.
- Arrange Meatballs: Place the meatballs in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they do not touch each other to allow hot air to circulate properly and cook evenly.
- Cook: Cook the meatballs in the air fryer for 10-12 minutes, or until they are browned on the outside and reach an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) indicating doneness.
- Rest Meatballs: Remove the meatballs from the air fryer and let them rest for a couple of minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute.
- Serve: Serve the meatballs hot with marinara sauce on the side if desired for dipping or drizzling.
Notes
- Do not overmix the meatball mixture to maintain tenderness.
- Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure meatballs are fully cooked.
- For a lower-carb option, substitute breadcrumbs with almond flour.
- Leftover meatballs can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- Use fresh parsley for best flavor, but dried can be substituted if necessary.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Appetizer
- Method: Air Fry
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 meatballs (approx. 4 oz)
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
Keywords: air fryer meatballs, easy meatballs, ground beef meatballs, Italian meatballs, healthy meatballs, quick dinner, air fryer recipes
