Juicy Air Fryer Meatballs Recipe

I’ve perfected a Meatball Air Fryer Recipe that blends ground beef and pork with breadcrumbs, Parmesan, and Italian seasoning into an unexpectedly simple weeknight solution you’ll want to try.

I love when a simple mix turns into something that makes people stop talking and reach for seconds. My Juicy Air Fryer Meatballs somehow stay tender and fail gloriously at being neat, and that’s the point.

I cook a batch when I want something quick but still impressive, especially after finding this in a stack of Meatball Recipes Airfryer ideas online. The blend of ground beef and grated parmesan cheese gives a deep, familiar flavor that everyone recognizes but can’t quite explain.

Try them as part of your Air Fryer Recipes Snacks lineup and watch the room go quiet, in a good way.

Ingredients

• Ground beef: Rich in protein and iron gives juicy flavor and a slightly beefy richness
• Ground pork: Adds fat for tenderness savory notes some B vitamins and rich mouthfeel
• Breadcrumbs or panko: Soaks up juices adds light texture small carbs not very filling
• Parmesan cheese: Nutty salty punch little extra protein calcium and umami boost
• Egg: Binds mixture some protein and fat helps meatballs hold shape
• Garlic: Sharp aromatic hit no calories to speak of adds savory depth
• Parsley: Fresh herb brightness small vitamins cuts richness and lifts flavors
• Olive oil: Helps browning adds healthy fats a subtle fruity richness
• Italian seasoning: Blends dried herbs adds warmth low calories big flavor hit
• Black pepper: Tiny spice kick no calories brightens other flavors

Ingredient Quantities

• 1 lb ground beef (80/20)
• 1/2 lb ground pork
• 3/4 cup plain breadcrumbs or panko
• 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1 large egg
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley (or 2 teaspoons dried)
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder (optional)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil or nonstick cooking spray

How to Make this

1. Preheat your air fryer to 375 F (190 C) for about 5 minutes so it’s hot and ready.

2. In a large bowl combine 1 lb ground beef and 1/2 lb ground pork. Add 3/4 cup plain breadcrumbs or panko, 1/3 cup grated Parmesan, 1 large egg, 2 tablespoons milk, 2 cloves garlic minced, 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley (or 2 teaspoons dried), 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon onion powder if using.

3. Mix gently with your hands or a fork until ingredients are just combined, dont overmix or the meatballs will get tough.

4. Portion the mixture into even balls about 1 to 1 1/4 inch wide (use a small cookie scoop or tablespoon) to ensure they cook evenly. You should get around 18 to 24 depending on size.

5. If the mix feels too loose, chill the formed meatballs in the fridge 10 to 15 minutes, it helps them hold shape and makes them easier to turn.

6. Lightly brush or spray the air fryer basket with 1 tablespoon olive oil or nonstick cooking spray, and also brush a little oil on the meatballs if you want a crisper exterior.

7. Arrange meatballs in a single layer without crowding; you may need to cook in batches. Cook at 375 F for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping gently halfway through so all sides brown.

8. Use an instant read thermometer to check the center, theyre done when internal temp reaches 160 F (71 C). If you don’t have a thermometer, cut one open to make sure it’s no longer pink throughout.

9. Let meatballs rest 3 to 5 minutes so juices redistribute, then serve with your favorite sauce, over pasta, in a sub, or as appetizers. Sprinkle extra Parmesan and chopped parsley if you like.

10. Tips: use panko for a lighter texture, dont skimp on salt for flavor, wet your hands when rolling to stop sticking, and avoid overcrowding the basket or they’ll steam instead of crisp.

Equipment Needed

1. Air fryer (preheat to 375 F so its hot and ready)
2. Large mixing bowl for combining meats and seasonings
3. Measuring cups and spoons for breadcrumbs, cheese, milk and spices
4. Small cookie scoop or tablespoon to portion even meatballs
5. Instant read thermometer to check they reach 160 F
6. Silicone brush or nonstick cooking spray to oil the basket and meatballs
7. Baking sheet or plate for chilling and resting formed meatballs
8. Cutting board and knife to mince garlic and chop parsley
9. Tongs or spatula to flip meatballs gently while cooking
10. Clean hands or disposable gloves for mixing and rolling so it wont stick

FAQ

Juicy Air Fryer Meatballs Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• Ground beef/ground pork: swap with 1 lb ground turkey or chicken for a leaner meatball, just add 1 tbsp olive oil or a splash of milk so they dont dry out; or try 1 lb ground lamb for a richer flavor.
• Breadcrumbs or panko: use crushed saltine crackers or plain cornflakes 1 for 1, rolled oats work great too; for GF use gluten free breadcrumbs, or 1/2 cup almond flour plus 2 tbsp water for low carb.
• Grated Parmesan: substitute Pecorino Romano or asiago in the same amount; if you need dairy free, use 3 tbsp nutritional yeast and a pinch of extra salt.
• Egg and milk (binder): replace the egg with 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt or a flax egg (1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water, let sit 5 min), and use any plant milk like almond or oat milk in place of regular milk.

Pro Tips

– Chill after shaping, even just 10 to 15 minutes. It helps them hold their shape and not crumble when you flip them, and if you have time an hour in the fridge makes them even firmer.

– Use a light touch when mixing and shaping. Overworking packs the meat and makes the meatballs tough, so mix until just combined and dont squeeze them too hard when rolling.

– For extra tender texture add a tablespoon of very cold water or ice to the mixture before forming, and wet your hands or use a cookie scoop so you dont over-compact each ball.

– If you want more flavor and a nicer finish, brown them in the air fryer then briefly simmer in your sauce for 3 to 5 minutes so the sauce clings and the flavors marry.