Air Fryer Chicken Meatballs Recipe

These Air Fryer Chicken Meatballs are the perfect addition to any meal or meal prep to stock up for the week. Serve them with your favorite pasta sauce or eat them on their own.

This air fryer chicken meatballs recipe is much easier than making pan-fried meatballs because the meatballs cook evenly on all sides. And, unlike in a pan, you won’t need much oil, keeping your meatballs lean and minimizing mess!

Air fryer ground chicken meatballs are tender and juicy because cooking them in the air fryer seals in the juices, sometimes lost during frying. Plus, you only need to flip your meatballs once during cooking, so they’re great if you’re making a sauce simultaneously.

These ground chicken meatballs are seasoned with a classic blend of basil, oregano, garlic, onion, and parmesan cheese. It is a gorgeous combination that pairs beautifully with pasta sauces or tastes excellent on its own.

Variations

To make this recipe gluten-free, switch the breadcrumbs out for a gluten-free alternative.

**Find the full list of ingredients along with the recipe instructions at the end of this post**

How to make chicken meatballs in the air fryer

• First: combine ground chicken, egg, basil, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, cheese, breadcrumbs, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Mix well. 

• Next: shape the chicken mixture into 14 meatballs about 1 tablespoon each. Arrange the meatballs in the air fryer basket in a single layer; spray with olive oil. Set the air fryer to 370ºF for 10 minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken meatballs reach 165ºF. Shake the basket halfway through.

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• Finally: Remove from the basket and repeat with the remaining meatballs. 

Recipe tips

• Make all of your homemade chicken meatballs the same size; otherwise, you will find that some cook more quickly than others.
• Use a meat thermometer to check that the meat has been cooked all the way through. Insert the thermometer into the middle of the meatball, and check for a temperature of 165°F.
• Put your meatballs in the air fryer in a single layer, with a bit of space around each one. Adequate spacing allows the hot air to circulate and ensures they cook evenly. If you have too many meatballs for one layer, cook in batches.

How long to cook chicken meatballs in the air fryer

Cook chicken meatballs in air fryer for 10 minutes at 370°F, shaking once during cooking.
The cooking time can vary depending on the size of the meatballs, and the model of air fryer you are using, so always use a meat thermometer to check that they are cooked, 
do this by inserting the meat thermometer into the middle of the meatball and checking that it reads 165°F.

What to serve with chicken meatballs

These healthy chicken meatballs are perfectly served with freshly cooked pasta. Try pairing them with a ragu-style tomato sauce or a creamy mushroom sauce. The delicate chicken flavor is ideal with either one.

How to store homemade chicken meatballs

Seal the meatballs in an airtight container and keep them in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or up to 3 months in the freezer.

How to freeze chicken meatballs

Air fried chicken meatballs are a great make-ahead option, so you have a quick meal in the freezer ready to go.
You can either:

• Freeze the meatballs after you have shaped them and before cooking them.
• Freeze them when they are cooked.

Either way, be sure to freeze them in portions so that they’re easier to manage.
If you freeze your meatballs before cooking them, you can cook them from frozen in the air fryer; you’ll just need to allow them a little more time to cook through. 

How to reheat chicken meatballs

• To reheat your meatballs in the air fryer, just heat them to 350°F and layout them in a single layer. Allow them to heat for 5 minutes if refrigerated and 8-12 minutes if cooking from frozen. 

• To reheat in the oven, put them in a single layer on a baking sheet and cover them with foil. Then, heat at 350°F for about 15 minutes. If you heat them from frozen, you must defrost them thoroughly first.

• The best way to reheat meatballs on the stovetop is to put them in the sauce you plan to serve them with and cook over low heat for around 10 minutes. If you heat them from frozen, you must defrost them thoroughly first.

• Whichever method you choose, you should always check that your meatballs are heated through by using a meat thermometer. Insert the thermometer into the center of the meatball - they are cooked if they have reached 165°F.

FAQs

Can I use ground turkey instead?

Yes, definitely. If you use ground turkey, the method and cooking times are the same as chicken. I recommend ground turkey breast, as it’s the best quality.

How do you keep chicken meatballs moist?

If you’re making your meatballs in air fryer, moisture shouldn’t be a problem. The air fryer cooks the meatballs evenly and seals in the juices, so they’re juicy and tender every time. 

More Air Fryer Recipes

• Air Fryer Lamb Meatballs
• Air Fryer Chicken Breast
• BBQ Chicken Legs In Air Fryer
• Bacon Wrapped Chicken Thighs in Air Fryer
• Air Fryer Breaded Chicken Tenders

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