Air Fryer Pork Meatballs Recipe

Air fryer pork meatballs are much juicier and quicker to make than meatballs any other way! You’ll love them with your favorite pasta sauce.

These air fryer pork meatballs are lightly seasoned with garlic, onion, ginger, and cilantro, giving them a comforting yet fresh flavor. Panko breadcrumbs add texture, and optional red pepper flakes add a subtle heat that ties everything together.

Have you ever tried making meatballs in the oven only to find they dry out? Or on the stovetop to see they cook unevenly and lose their shape? This recipe for ground pork meatballs air fryer answers all your problems!

When you air fry pork meatballs, they keep their shape, and air frying seals in the pork’s natural juices, making meatballs that are both tender and packed with flavor. In addition, air frying is much quicker than any other way of making meatballs.

Ingredients for pork meatballs

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

Ground pork: It’s generally a good idea to combine 70 percent lean and 30 percent fat to get the right consistency for ground pork meatballs. Your butcher will be able to help you with choosing the right kind of pork for meatballs.

Egg is an essential ingredient because it acts as a binder, holding the meat together. You can substitute the egg for unsweetened apple sauce for pork and apple-flavored meatballs.

Panko breadcrumbs: Panko breadcrumbs absorb the juices in the meat and prevent your meatballs from drying out while adding a slightly crispy texture. You can use gluten-free panko breadcrumbs if you want to make this recipe gluten-free.

Onion and garlic powder: This classic combination gives the meatballs their earthy base. I like to use powder for ease, but you can also use freshly minced or grated garlic and onion if you wish.

Minced ginger: Ginger adds warmth and freshness to the dish. You can use powdered ginger if you don’t have any fresh ginger, or you could try nutmeg, allspice, or a combination of the two - making this switch will alter the flavor but still add warmth.

Chopped fresh cilantro: Cilantro adds a fresh and slightly zesty taste. Dried cilantro tastes quite different but still works well; alternatively, you can substitute it for fresh parsley.

Red pepper flakes: Optional, but add a delicious heat to your pork meatballs in air fryer! You can also use chili flakes here.

How to cook pork meatballs in the air fryer

Making the meatballs: Combine ground pork, egg, panko, onion, garlic powder, ginger, cilantro, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Use a tablespoon to scoop out the mixture and form meatballs of the same size.

Air frying: Place the pork meatballs in the air fryer basket in a single layer and cook to 370ºF for 8 minutes on each side or until an internal temperature of 145ºF.  Serve with your sauce of choice, and enjoy!

Recipe tips

• If you overcook your meatballs, they will become dry. To avoid this, always use a meat thermometer to check when they have reached a safe internal temperature - the safe pork meatballs internal temp is 145°F.
• To reheat cooked meatballs, preheat the air fryer to 370°F and then heat them in the basket for around 5 minutes, shaking halfway through.

How long to cook pork meatballs?

It takes around 8 minutes per side at 370°F to cook pork meatballs air fryer; however, the cooking time may differ depending on your air fryer model and the size of your meatballs.

Always use a meat thermometer to check when they are ready to serve to ensure that your meatballs aren't over or undercooked.

What to serve with pork meatballs?

• Fresh pasta
• Marinara sauce
• Air fryer smashed potatoes
• Air fryer green beans
• Spaghetti squash in the air fryer is perfect for a low carb alternative.

How to store pork meatballs?

Once you’ve formed your meatballs, you can store them in the fridge or freezer until you’re ready to cook them - making them a perfect make-ahead meal option! You can keep raw ground pork meatballs in the refrigerator for 1-2 days and in the freezer for 4-6 months.

Once cooked, you can keep meatballs in the freezer for 2-3 months and in the fridge for 3-4 days.

To prevent your meatballs from sticking together when you freeze them, lay them on a baking sheet and freeze them for around six hours before transferring them to a freezer bag or airtight container. 

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