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Close-up of juicy homemade air fryer meatballs with golden brown crispy edges cooking in an air fryer basket, seasoned with fresh parsley and Italian herbs.

Air Fryer Meatballs

These Air Fryer Meatballs are juicy, flavorful, and ready in just 20 minutes, making them the perfect easy weeknight dinner or crowd-pleasing appetizer. Made with seasoned ground beef, Parmesan cheese, fresh garlic, and Italian herbs, these homemade meatballs develop a beautifully browned exterior while staying incredibly tender and moist inside. Cooking meatballs in the air fryer means less mess, faster cooking, and consistently delicious results every time. Serve them with spaghetti and marinara, tuck them into toasted meatball subs, add them to meal prep bowls, or enjoy them as a protein-packed snack. Whether you're looking for the best air fryer meatball recipe, easy homemade meatballs, or a quick ground beef dinner, this family-favorite recipe is one you'll make again and again. Perfect for meal prep, freezer-friendly, and packed with classic Italian flavor, these air fryer meatballs are a simple recipe that belongs in every home cook's collection.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 11 minutes
Total Time 21 minutes
Course Main Course, Side Dish
Servings 5 approx 18-20 meatballs

Equipment

  • Air Fryer

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb ground beef (80/20) or (85/15)
  • ½ cup Italian-style breadcrumbs
  • 1 large egg
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tbsp onion finely diced
  • 2 tbsp parsley freshly chopped
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp ground black pepper
  • 2 tbsp milk whole works best
  • cooking spray

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your air fryer to 380°F for 3–5 minutes.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, Parmesan cheese, garlic, onion, parsley, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and milk.
  • Mix gently with your hands until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the meatballs tender.
  • Roll the mixture into 18–20 evenly sized meatballs (about 1½ inches each).
  • Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
  • Arrange the meatballs in a single layer, leaving space between each one. Cook in batches if necessary.
  • Air fry at 380°F for 10–12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through cooking.
  • Check that the internal temperature reaches 160°F using an instant-read thermometer.
  • Let the meatballs rest for 3–5 minutes before serving.
  • Serve with marinara sauce, spaghetti, meatball subs, mashed potatoes, rice, or your favorite vegetables.

Notes

Notes

  • Use an 80/20 or 85/15 ground beef blend for the juiciest meatballs.
  • A cookie scoop helps make evenly sized meatballs that cook consistently.
  • Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket.
  • These meatballs freeze well for up to 3 months.
  • Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3–5 minutes.
  • Great for meal prep, pasta dishes, appetizers, soups, and sandwiches.

Nutritional Information

Serving Size: Approximately 4 meatballs (1/5 of recipe)
Nutrient Amount Per Serving
Calories 355 kcal
Protein 27 g
Carbohydrates 9 g
Total Fat 23 g
Saturated Fat 8 g
Unsaturated Fat 13 g
Cholesterol 112 mg
Sodium 760 mg
Potassium 430 mg
Fiber 1 g
Sugar 2 g
Calcium 140 mg
Iron 3.2 mg
Vitamin A 180 IU
Vitamin C 2 mg

Nutrition Notes

  • Nutrition is estimated and will vary based on the fat percentage of the ground beef and the specific brands of breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese used.
  • This calculation is based on approximately 20 meatballs, with 4 meatballs per serving.
  • Sauce and side dishes are not included in the nutritional values.
 
Keyword air fryer meatballs, meatballs