These plump and juicy Air Fryer Meatballs are filled with a combination of beef and pork and a simple but savory selection of seasonings.
These juicy air fryer meatballs are phenomenal with buttery pasta and Easy Homemade Marinara Sauce or maybe a few Garlic Parmesan Breadsticks.
Making meatballs in an air fryer couldn’t be easier! They take about 10 minutes to cook, hold together nicely, and are lovely and juicy. They’re freezer friendly and can easily be made ahead and saved for another meal!
Homemade Air Fryer Meatballs
This air fryer meatball recipe is an easy version of my Easy Baked Meatball Recipe and uses a combination of two different kinds of meat: beef and ground pork. Together they create the BEST flavor! Eggs, breadcrumbs, and milk are used as a binder to help hold the meatballs in shape and not crumble apart.
The spice combination is simple so it doesn’t overpower the taste of the pork and beef, or whatever sauce (such as Creamy Alfredo Sauce) they may be served with. Just enough seasoning to give them the perfect balance.
Ingredients Needed
Here’s the basic list of ingredients you’ll need to make Air Fryer meatballs. As always, you can find the full list of ingredients located in the printable recipe card below.
- Ground Beef – A nice lean ground beef works well so that there isn’t too much grease and shrinkage when cooked.
- Ground Pork – plain or regular works best, but an italian flavored or hot sausage would work as well.
- Garlic
- Egg – acts as a binder.
- Milk – helps to keep the meatballs nice and juicy.
- Breadcrumbs – plain, not italian or panko style.
- Oregano – helps to round out the flavor depth.
- Parsley – gives a fresh pop of flavor and color.
How To Make Air Fryer Meatballs
It’s SO easy to make these delicious juicy meatballs. Everything quickly comes together, portioned out, then cooks in the air fryer in no time!
Prepare Meatball Mixture
In a medium sized bowl, combine the ground beef, pork, egg, breadcrumbs, milk, and all seasonings together.
Mix everything together really well until the spices are evenly distributed and there are no pockets of breadcrumbs left.
Divide into Balls
Next, divide and shape the meat mexture into about 30 round meatballs, and roll with your hands to shape.
PRO TIP: I use a cookie scoop (1.5 to 2 Tablespoon) to quickly scoop out each meatball, then roll them smooth with my hands.
Transfer To Airfryer
Lay the meatballs in an even layer in the basket of the air fryer with space between each one. You can cook them in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding.
Cook the meatballs at 400℉ for 10-12 minutes or until the center of the meatballs reaches 165℉. Let the meatballs rest for a few minutes before enjoying.
Recipe Tips and Substitutions
- You can use disposable gloves or sandwich bags over your hands to roll the meatballs if you’re not comfortable handling raw meat.
- Ground turkey or ground chicken can be used in place of the ground beef or the ground pork. I would replace only one, not both. The fat content in the beef and pork help to flavor the meatballs.
- If you want a little more Italian flavor, use Italian flavored sausage or 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning added to the meatballs!
Make Ahead and Storage
It’s so easy to make these meatballs ahead!
Make Ahead: Make the meatballs as directed up to 3 days ahead of time and refrigerate until ready to use. Reheat in sauce of choice on the stovetop or microwave.
To Freeze: Make as directed and freeze individually on parchment paper raw or cooked and cooled. Then transfer to a freezer safe bag or container and freeze for up to 3 months.
Common Questions
Either is fine, but air frying them is so much quicker and easier!
If they’re frozen, 3-5 minutes until the internal temp reaches 165 ℉. If refrigerated and not frozen, 1-3 minutes should do it.
The safe temperature to cook meatballs to is 165 ℉.
As long as it is not frozen, it is okay to cook raw meat when it is fully defrosted, seasoned, and the temperature monitored.
*If these meatballs are prepared raw and then frozen, be sure to defrost fully before cooking them in the air fryer.
How to Use Meatballs
If you need ideas for how to serve meatballs, I have a few ideas for you! Make sure to try at least one.
- 3 Ingredient Cocktail Meatballs
- Super Easy Swedish Meatballs
- Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs
- Cranberry Meatballs with Sour Cream Herb Dip
This is SUCH an easy recipe for homemade air fryer meatballs, I hope you enjoy it as much as we do! If you try it, make sure to let me know in the comments below and leave a star rating.
Air Fryer Meatballs
Ingredients
- ½ lb ground beef
- ½ lb ground pork
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup plain breadcrumbs
- 1 tsp oregano
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp freshly chopped parsley
- ¼ cup milk
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients listed above in a large bowl until evenly combined.
- Divide and shape the meat mixture into 30 round meatballs.
- Lay meatballs in an even layer, with space between each in the basket of your air fryer (cook in batches if necessary to avoid over crowding). Cook at 400 degrees F. for 10-12 minutes, or until center of meatballs reach 165 degrees F.
- Let the meatballs rest for a few minutes before enjoying.
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