Meatballs cooked in an air fryer have a succulent and juicy texture with a crispy outside that will instantly melt in your mouth. Sounds fabulous, huh? Indeed, it is because today’s recipe is the perfect complement you need for any side dish like pasta or rice.
Today’s cooking direction will open new horizons if you traditionally prepare meatballs using only ground meat and spices. First, you will prepare them in an air fryer and not in a regular pan. The benefit of preparing meatballs in this cooking appliance is the high-speed airflow covering them from all sides. Thanks to this, the meatballs will get a delicate crust.
On the other hand, the inside of the meatballs will concentrate enough juice to make them phenomenally airy and succulent at the same time. Last but not least, air fryers are an optimal alternative for health as these do not require a large amount of oils for the frying process.
In short, nothing but benefits both for health and for a delicious taste. That’s what we want for every meal, after all. And if you still need more proof about the versatility of this kitchen appliance, check out other finger-licking recipes we have recently made, such as Air Fryer Keto Burger, Air Fryer Cheese Toast, Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes.Â
So, Air Fryer Meatballs are our heroes in today’s recipe. All you need is the necessary ingredients and 15 minutes of good mood. The recipe comes out tasty only if you are in good spirits. Ultimately, you will receive fabulously tender meatballs inside with a delicious crispy texture on the outside. Feel free to enjoy them as a main course or to serve them with your favorite sauce over the side dish.
IngredientsÂ
1 lb of ground beef
1-2 eggs
1/2 cups bread crumbs
A pinch of paprika powder
A bit of dried oregano
dried basil powder
a pinch of garlic powder
a pinch of Provance spices
1/2 cup of grated parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper at taste
How to make Air Fryer Meatballs?
Ground meat is the key ingredient in this recipe. As such, you have no right to screw it up with its composition, consistency, and spicing. First, I recommend choosing 20% lean ground beef for an optimal ratio between lean meat and fat; this will allow the meatballs to be juicy enough for a tender texture.
Secondly, do not forget that you will add additional spices along the way and risk making the whole dish too spicy. After all, you want to feel the soft taste of the meat and not the excess of spices. But, in the end, spicing is a matter of personal preference.
Thirdly, don’t start preparing the recipe if you lack fresh herbs. The final taste differs enormously between meatballs with fresh parsley and basil and those without these herbs. As for the additional seasoning, the Italian ones are my favorite. They complement the dish with a specific Neapolitan flavor that I’m sure you love as much as I do.
Ultimately, panko or plain breadcrumbs are the ones I prefer the most. But any other type you have on hand will do. And the ingredient that will transform our meatballs into a culinary delight is cheese. I recommend staying true to Parmesan cheese for this recipe. Namely, this type will add a creamy and tender finishing touch.
StepsÂ
Meatball preparation will take you up to a few minutes. Mainly, the process revolves around mixing all the ingredients from the recipe. However, I will add small specifications to get the most out of this dish.
Put the ground meat/sausage, eggs, breadcrumbs, and spices in a large bowl. Then, mix them as well as possible to get a homogeneous mass. I recommend not rushing to pour the milk into it. First, wait about 5 minutes for the breadcrumbs to absorb the moisture of the mass. That way, you will understand better how much milk you need to pour into the homogeneous mass. Sometimes, the meal is runny enough due to the fat in the meat, which means you may not use the milk at all. Other times, the ground meat is much too solid due to too much lean meat, and you may need more milk to make it softer.
At the stage of combining the ingredients, remember the parmesan. You can play with the amount you like; there can always be a little parmesan.
The ground meat texture
So, the texture should be smooth and solid enough. Find the golden mean. Blend the whole mixture until you ensure all the ingredients have been sufficiently mixed. Then, leave the mass for another 5 minutes so that all the ingredients absorb the aromas and taste notes of the spices.
Meanwhile, turn on the Air Fryer. I cooked the meatballs at 380 degrees F, and they were perfect. If you are short on time, you can cook them at 400 degrees, reducing your cooking time.
Return to the grounded meat while the Air Fryer preheats to the required temperature. It should already emit an aroma rich in Italian notes by this time. Now, you will form the meatballs by scooping the meat mixture. Play with them in your palms, forming small golf balls. Place them one by one in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
Done with the preparation; now, the meatballs shall go into the cooking phase. Leave them in the air fryer for about 12-14 minutes whenever you prepare them at 380 degrees F. This timing is perfect for making them extra moist. Increasing the intensity to 400 degrees means 10-12 minutes is more than enough.
Notes
Honestly speaking, it took me longer to write the recipe description than to cook; this speaks of the dish’s versatility and easy preparation. But there are other advantages of this recipe. Instead, it is the delicacy of the taste and the texture refinement. Through this recipe, you will discover a new version of traditional meatballs. Also you can check some of my meatballs recipes, such as Turkey meatballs, Chicken Meatballs, and Keto Meatloaf. Decorate them with fresh parsley and basil; the dish is ready to enjoy. Savour it with pleasure!
Air fryer meatballs
Equipment
- air fryer
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup bread crumbs
- a pinch paprika powder
- a bit dried oregano
- a pinch Provance spices
- 1/2 cup Parmesan grated
- salt and pepper at taste
Instructions
- Take a big bowl and add the ingredients. Mix the ground meat, eggs, breadcrumbs, and spices.
- Mix them as well as possible to get a homogeneous mass.
- Meanwhile, preheat the Air Fryer to 400 F (180 C) for 5 minutes.
- Form the meatballs by scooping the meat mixture, and forming small golf balls. Place them one by one in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Lower the temperature to 300 F and cook them for 8-10 minutes.
- Serve next to anything.
Nutrition
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