Air fryer turkey meatballs are a simple, cost-effective meal that the whole family will love. So tender and delicious, you’ll wonder how you made meatballs any other way!
Ground turkey breast lightly seasoned with garlic, parsley, and Italian seasoning, and an egg for binding is all that goes into these delicious air fryer turkey meatballs. Simple, clean, and so easy to make.
These air fried turkey meatballs are incredibly succulent and tasty, served with your favorite pasta sauce. Air frying means the turkey’s natural juices get sealed in, so there’s no risk of them drying out.
This air fryer turkey meatball recipe is so simple it’s a great one to get the kids to help out with - they’ll love shaping the meat into balls! The perfect opportunity for some family bonding.
What to add to turkey meatballs
**Find the full list of ingredients along with the recipe instructions at the end of this post**
Egg: You use the egg to bind the meatballs together and ensure they are moist. You can also use ricotta cheese or buttermilk!
Onion powder: Adds a gorgeous tangy and slightly earthy tone to your meatballs. Powdered onion combines effortlessly with ground turkey and requires no prep! However, you can also use fresh raw onion, chopped finely, if you prefer.
Garlic cloves (minced): Garlic is an essential flavor in many dishes, adding warmth and a unique taste. If you don’t like garlic, you could try using finely chopped chives instead.
Italian seasoning: Italian seasoning is fantastic in air fry turkey meatballs because it adds a subtly sweet, fresh, herby taste that complements the meat. If you don’t have Italian seasoning, try a combination of dried basil and oregano for a similar effect.
Parsley: If you don’t have (or don’t like) parsley, fresh tarragon or cilantro tastes fabulous in this recipe.
Tools used to make the recipe
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How to cook turkey meatballs in air fryer
Mix ingredients: In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, egg, onion powder, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, fresh parsley, salt, and pepper. Use a cookie scoop to form the meatballs all the same size.
Air Fry: Arrange the turkey meatballs in the air fryer basket and air fry to 380ºF for 12-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
Serve: Remove from the air fryer; serve with your favorite sauce and enjoy!
Recipe Tips:
The mixture is moister than regular meatballs, I highly recommend using a cookie scoop to shape the balls otherwise, the meat will stick in your hands. The other options is to add ¼ cup of breadcrumbs to the mixture.
Store leftovers within two hours of cooking to avoid bacteria growth. Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or freezer for up 3 months.
How long to air fry turkey meatballs
Cook turkey meatballs in the air fryer for 12-15 minutes at 380°F, shaking once halfway through the cooking time.
The cooking time will vary depending on how big you make the meatballs and on the model of the air fryer that you are using. To ensure that you don’t over or undercook them, always use a meat thermometer to check for a safe internal temperature of 165°F.
What to eat with turkey meatballs
- Roasted butternut squash air fryer
- Pasta and your favorite sauce or air fried spaghetti squash
- Crispy air fryer broccoli bites
- Healthy air fryer eggplant parmesan (no breading)
How to freeze turkey meatballs
You can freeze these healthy turkey meatballs air fryer after shaping them and before you cook them or after cooking.
- Before cooking: Place the meatballs on a baking tray, and transfer them to the freezer for roughly 6 hours until they have frozen. Then, transfer them to a freezer bag for long-term storage (raw ground turkey is safe to keep in the freezer for 3-4 months)
- After cooking: Follow the same steps as for freezing raw meatballs, and ensure you do so within 2 hours of cooking to minimize the risk of bacterial growth. It's safe to store cooked poultry in the freezer for 2-6 months.
How to reheat turkey meatballs
Air frying turkey meatballs are the best way to reheat them. Simply heat the air fryer to 380°F, and put the meatballs in the basket for 5-6 minutes, shaking once halfway through. If you are heating from frozen, increase the time by 5-10 minutes.
Always use a meat thermometer to check that meatballs have reached a safe internal temperature of 165°F before serving.
FAQ’S
These ground turkey meatballs in air fryer contain only ground turkey, seasoning, and an egg for binding, so there are no hidden nasty ingredients! Ground turkey is an excellent source of protein that helps you stay full for longer and is also low in fat.
Yes. The egg binds the meatball together, so you need another binder if you don’t want to use eggs. Some suitable substitutes for eggs in meatballs are buttermilk, ricotta cheese, plain yogurt, or unsweetened apple sauce. But if you still decide you don’t want any of those, you can make the meatballs without eggs, but they will be less moisture once done.
Leftover turkey meatballs air fryer are great in:
- Pasta dishes
- Casseroles
- Sandwiches
- Pizza toppings
- Salad wraps
- Soups
They’re so versatile you can add them to almost any dish.
Both turkey and beef are good sources of protein, fat, and vital vitamins and minerals. However, turkey is lower in saturated fat than beef and maybe a better choice for heart health.
More Meatballs to try in the Air Fryer
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Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs
These air-fried turkey meatballs are incredibly succulent and tasty, served with your favorite pasta sauce. Air frying means the turkey’s natural juices get sealed in, so there’s no risk of them drying out.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground turkey breast
- 1 egg
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon unsalted Italian seasoning
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
- Salt and pepper to taste
Tools
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, egg, onion powder, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, fresh parsley, salt, and pepper. Use a cookie scoop to form the meatballs all the same size.
- Arrange the turkey meatballs in the air fryer basket and air fry to 380ºF for 12-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
- Remove from the air fryer; serve with your favorite sauce and enjoy!
Notes
- The mixture is moister than regular meatballs, I highly recommend using a cookie scoop to shape the balls otherwise, the meat will stick in your hands. The other option is to add ¼ cup of breadcrumbs to the mixture.
- Store leftovers within two hours of cooking to avoid bacteria growth. Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or freezer for up 3 months.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 198Total Fat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 127mgSodium: 164mgCarbohydrates: 2gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 38g
Please keep in mind that the nutritional information is calculated using a nutrition facts calculator. It is a rough estimate and can vary significantly based on products used. When the recipe list salt to taste the amount of salt is not calculated, only the sodium in the other ingredients is calculated.