When it comes to setting myself up for success when prepping lunch and dinner for any week, meatballs are always the solution. I love making them with all kinds of spices and herbs, and even with different cooking methods. These air fryer turkey meatballs are so easy to prepare with just 6 ingredients and 10 minutes of prep time.
If you’ve never used the air fryer to make meatballs, it’s truly perfect and so much easier than searing them on the stovetop. The high heat and convection fan make the outside crispy, while the inside remains soft and tender. The perfect consistency for adding to meatballs and gravy or pasta.
Why you’ll love this recipe
- A mess-free way to cook meatballs. Frying meatballs on the stovetop can get quite messy. The air fryer keeps them contained and tidy for quicker clean up (plus they cook in half the time!).
- Add your favorite seasonings and spices. This is a meatball with a great base recipe that you can season with your favorite spices and herbs.
- Make a double batch to freeze for later. My favorite tip of all, make double and enjoy the second half at a later date. It’s the best solution for dinner on a busy week.
Tips for Busy Cooks
I love making a big batch of these meatballs on a Sunday for meal prep, then reheating them or freezing half for later. They are the perfect protein to reheat in minutes when there’s no time to make dinner.
Key Ingredient Notes
- Lean ground turkey – I love to use 93% lean which helps the meat to bind together nicely before being cooked in the air fryer.
- Breadcrumbs – Regular or whole‑wheat both work in this case, whatever you already have at home is convenient!
- A large egg adds moisture and helps bind the meat mixture.
- Garlic powder infuses every bite with rich garlic flavor.
- Dried Italian seasoning – Nice herbal seasoning that adds warm flavor to the meat mixture.
- Fresh parsley gives a burst of color and fresh flavor.
How to make air fryer turkey meatballs
Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
Combine the ground turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and parsley (if using) in a large bowl. Mix gently until just combined.
Form the mixture into approximately 12 meatballs (about 1 ½ tablespoons each).
Lightly spray the air fryer basket with olive oil to prevent sticking.
Arrange the meatballs in a single layer in the basket. Cook in batches if needed.
Air fry for 9–12 minutes, flipping halfway. Cook until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
Let rest for 1–2 minutes before serving.
Expert Tips:
- Serve with any sauces like with marinara, BBQ sauce, or a yogurt‑based sauce.
- Great for meal prep. The cooked turkey meatballs freeze well for up to 3 months.
- Swap the protein. Rather than ground turkey, you can also use ground chicken or lean ground beef if preferred.
- Don’t over-mix the meatball base. If you do, then it could become gummy in texture and a bit tough.
- Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon measure to make the meatballs the same size. This is key to having an even cook time to avoid overcooking any meatballs.
- Add more mix-ins too! I’ve also added finely diced onion, shredded zucchini, or grated carrot to sneak in extra veggies.
- Make them in the oven or on the stovetop if you don’t have an air fryer. Of course this recipe works just like any meatball recipe. Bake them at 350ºF for 20 to 25 minutes or sear in a skillet until golden brown and cooked through.
What to serve with air fryer turkey meatballs
These turkey meatballs are so versatile; you can pair them with jarred marinara sauce, lemon sauce, or a creamy Alfredo sauce, or use them in an Asian stir-fry or Greek salad. The options are endless for making them stretch over many meals. Here are some of our favorite options:
Storage
These turkey meatballs in the air fryer are great for storing and reheating throughout the week. Store the meatballs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days and reheat in the microwave or air fryer for a few minutes until warmed through.
You can also easily freeze the cooked meatballs, making them a meal prep dream! Place them in a freezer bag and freeze for up to 2 months.
When you’re ready to reheat, just thaw in the fridge overnight, then heat in the air fryer, oven, or microwave until warmed through.
FAQs
You should cook them for 9 to 12 minutes, or until golden brown on the outside and fully cooked through on the inside.
Lightly grease the air fryer basket with cooking spray, then add the meatballs to it. Make sure there is enough space in between them for even browning.
Overcrowding the air fryer basket is the most common mistake, as it prevents food from browning evenly on all sides.
More delicious meatball recipes
Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground turkey 93% lean
- ½ cup breadcrumbs regular or whole‑wheat
- 1 large egg lightly beaten
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon table salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley optional
- Olive oil spray for the air fryer basket
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and parsley (if using). Mix gently until just combined.
- Form the mixture into approximately 12 meatballs (about 1½ tablespoons each).
- Lightly spray the air fryer basket with olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Arrange the meatballs in a single layer in the basket. Cook in batches if needed.
- Air fry for 9–12 minutes, flipping halfway. Cook until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Let rest for 1–2 minutes before serving.
Share your thoughts! If you make this please leave a review letting me know how it was!
Notes
– These turkey meatballs in the air fryer are great for storing and reheating throughout the week. Store the meatballs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days and reheat in the microwave or air fryer for a few minutes until warmed through.
– You can also easily freeze the cooked meatballs, making them a meal prep dream! Place them in a freezer bag and freeze for up to 2 months.
– When you’re ready to reheat, just thaw in the fridge overnight and place in the air fryer, oven, or microwave to heat until warmed through.
Nutrition
* Disclaimer: All nutrition information are estimates only. Read full nutrition disclosure.
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