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Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs are juicy, perfectly seasoned, and cook up in no time in the air fryer! These ground turkey meatballs are healthy, satisfying, something the whole family will love, and made with simple ingredients.
Easy Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs
If you’ve cooked Turkey Burgers or Turkey Breast in the air fryer, then you’re going to LOVE this recipe for turkey meatballs. Just as flavorful, juicy, and moist as traditional meatballs but they cook up in a fraction of the time inside the air fryer with a crisp exterior and a juicy center.
These flavorful turkey meatballs are a great source of lean protein which makes it a healthy dinnertime option. With only one mixing bowl needed + an air fryer, these ground turkey meatballs are so easy to make and are ready to go in under 30 minutes.
Meatball Ingredients Needed For Homemade Turkey Meatballs
- Lean Ground Turkey : I recommend using an 85/15 ground turkey or 93/7 ground turkey. I don’t recommend using the leanest which is 99/1 as there is just not enough fat to make it taste good.
- Italian Breadcrumbs : Breadcrumbs provide structure to the meatballs which helps bind them together – which is important when working with ground turkey, which has a softer texture. The breadcrumbs help give the meatballs a firmer consistency and act as a moisture absorber, preventing the meatballs from being too wet. Ground turkey also releases moisture when cooking and the breadcrumbs help balance the texture by absorbing the moisture.
- Grated Parmesan Cheese
- Chopped Fresh Parsley : I use the Italian flat leaf parsley.
- Large Egg : An egg is used as a binder for the meatballs which helps prevent them from falling apart.
- Water : Use purified water or bottled water for the best clean & crisp taste. Some tap water can have added stuff and taste “different” so I always recombine using purified water when you’re baking and cooking.
- Olive Oil : I use extra-virgin ‘light tasting’ olive oil as my family prefers the light taste of it compared to the heavier taste of regular olive oil.
- Minced Garlic : Mince or press fresh garlic cloves, use garlic paste, or use minced garlic from a jar.
- Onion Powder
- Kosher Salt
- Black Pepper
How To Make Delicious Turkey Meatballs In The Air Fryer (Printable Recipe Card)
Prep : Lightly coat the air fryer basket with cooking spray or spread a small amount of oil to prevent sticking.
In a large bowl, add the ground turkey, Italian breadcrumbs, grated parmesan cheese, parsley, egg, water, olive oil, garlic, onion powder, kosher salt, and black pepper. Gently mix together until thoroughly combined.
Use a cookie scoop, or your clean hands, to form 12 evenly-sized meatballs.
Preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees F. If your air fryer does not have the preheat function then ignore this step.
When ready, place the turkey meatballs into the preheated air fryer basket, making sure to leave some space between each meatballs to ensure even cooking. Cook in two batches if needed.
Cook for 16-18 minutes, turning the meatballs at the halfway time mark. When done, the meatballs should be golden brown and reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
Serve the turkey meatballs with your favorite sauce or as a topping for pasta, salads, casseroles, sandwiches, or anything that calls for meatballs.
Can I Use A Different Ground Meat?
Yes, you can use a different ground meat when making these air fryer ground turkey meatballs. Ground pork, ground chicken, or even ground beef are all really yummy in this meatball recipe. I prefer the ground turkey as it’s lean, healthy, and tastes so good in this air fryer meatball recipe.
How To Store Leftover Ground Turkey Meatballs
- Refrigerator : Allow the leftover meatballs to cool to room temperature. If you plan to consume them within a few days, store them in an airtight container in the fridge. Ensure the container is sealed tightly to prevent odors from affecting the meatballs. Consider labeling the container with the date to keep track of freshness.
- Freezer : If you want to store the turkey meatballs for an extended period, consider freezing them. Place the cooked meatballs on a baking sheet, in a single layer, and freeze until solid. This prevent them from sticking together. Once frozen, transfer the meatballs to a Ziploc style freezer-safe bag or airtight container. Remove as much air as possible before sealing. Label the container or bag with the contents and the date.
- Reheating : When ready to use the frozen meatballs, thaw them in the fridge overnight. This gradual thawing helps maintain the texture. Reheat the turkey meatballs in the oven, microwave, or stove top. Make sure they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees before consuming.
Serving Suggestions For This Air Fryer Turkey Meatball Recipe
These air fryer turkey meatballs make for a quick weeknight dinner! And with so many ways to serve them, you’re sure to always have a new and delicious way of serving the healthy turkey meatballs to your family. Here are some ideas to get you started.
- Meatball Subs : Get your favorite pasta sauce and some soft hoagie rolls to make meatball subs. I like to bake the subs in the oven for a few minutes to get them toasty and warm, and to melt the cheese before serving.
- Low Carb Option : Serve the air fry turkey meatballs over some zucchini noodles, or cauliflower rice, along with some pasta sauce for a low carb dinner option.
- Casseroles & Dinner Ideas : Try making this Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole, Hawaiian Roll Meatball Sliders, or this easy Meatball Sub Casserole with the turkey meatballs.
- Spaghetti & Meatballs : Dump a can of pasta sauce or marinara sauce into a skillet and add the meatballs, heat until warmed through and serve the meatball sauce over your favorite pasta for an easy recipe for dinner.
- Soup : Make this Italian Meatball Soup and use the turkey meatballs instead of frozen meatballs that the recipe calls for.
Air Fryer Meatballs Recipe Tips
- Make sure the internal temperature of the meatballs is at the safe temperature of 165 degrees F before serving them. Use an instant read digital meat thermometer to do this.
- The best way to get evenly sized meatballs is to use a cookie scoop, or small ice cream scoop, to scoop the meatball mixture out from the bowl. Use your clean hands to roll it into a tight and uniform ball shape.
- If freezing, lay the meatballs in a single layer on a baking sheet that has been lined with parchment paper. Freezing the meatballs first prevents sticking once they are frozen in the bag together.
Try These Other Meatball Recipes
- Easy Swedish Meatballs
- Crockpot Mississippi Meatballs
- Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak Meatballs
- Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken Meatballs
- Crockpot Jelly Meatballs
- Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
- Homemade Italian Meatballs
- Slow Cooker Spaghetti and Meatballs
Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground turkey (85/15 or 93/7)
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup Italian breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped Italian parsley
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Prep : Lightly coat the air fryer basket with cooking spray or spread a small amount of oil to prevent sticking.1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- In a large bowl, add the ground turkey, egg, Italian breadcrumbs, grated parmesan cheese, parsley, water, olive oil, minced garlic, onion powder, kosher salt, and black pepper. Gently mix together until thoroughly combined.1 pound ground turkey, 1 large egg, 1/2 cup Italian breadcrumbs, 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese, 1/4 cup chopped Italian parsley, 2 tablespoons water, 2 teaspoons onion powder, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Use a cookie scoop, or your clean hands, to form 12 evenly-sized meatballs.
- Preheat the air fryer to 375℉. * If your air fryer does not have the preheat function then ignore this step, and cook the meatball for the maximin time listed or until they reach a safe internal temperature.
- Place the turkey meatballs into the preheated air fryer basket, making sure to leave some space between each meatballs to ensure even cooking.
- Cook for 16-18 minutes, turning the meatballs at the halfway time mark. When done, the meatballs should be golden brown and reached an internal temperature of 165℉.
- Serve the turkey meatballs with your favorite sauce or as a topping for pasta, salads, casseroles, sandwiches, or anything that calls for meatballs.
Nutrition
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