Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs are a healthier alternative to beef meatballs, packed with delicious flavor and ready in 20 minutes in the Air Fryer.
AIR FRYER TURKEY MEATBALLS RECIPE
We've used the air fryer to make a few different types of meatballs in the past, but this is the first time I'm sharing my recipe for delicious, juicy, flavorful Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs.
You can go back and look at Air Fryer Frozen Meatballs, Air Fryer Spaghetti and Meatballs, or Air Fryer Appetizer Meatballs if you want a traditional beef based meatball.
These air fryer turkey meatballs are just as good, if not better, than any beef meatball I've made. They brown up beautifully in the air fryer and are ready to add to your favorite pasta sauce or serve as an appetizer.
INGREDIENTS IN AIR FRYER TURKEY MEATBALLS
Ground Turkey - You can use either the 93% lean version or the 99% lean. You get a little bit more flavor and moister from the slightly fattier one, but both will work.
Breadcrumbs - I use gluten free breadcrumbs, but you can use whatever plain breadcrumbs you prefer.
Dried Oregano- This herb is beautiful with poultry.
Garlic - Minced garlic, either fresh or from a jar, gives tons of savory flavor to the turkey.
Salt - Season the meatballs well for best results.
Pepper - This gives a needed bit of warmth to the meatballs.
Egg- One large egg holds everything together.
Fresh Parsley- I love the look and the flavor of this green herb in turkey meatballs. Dried parsley will work as well.
If you have any questions, please leave a comment below and I will get back to you ASAP!
HOW TO MAKE AIR FRYER TURKEY MEATBALLS
- Add ground turkey, breadcrumbs, oregano, garlic, salt, pepper, egg, and parsley to a medium sized bowl.
- Mix until evenly combined. Don't be afraid to use your hands to get everything mixed well.
- Roll into 15 equal sized meatballs and set aside on parchment paper.
- Add Meatballs to preheated air fryer in a single layer, being sure not to overlap them. You may need to do two batches if you are working with a smaller air fryer.
- Cook meatballs as directed in the recipe card below, flipping halfway through cooking time. Meatballs are done when they reach an internal temperature of 156F.
- Remove meatballs from the air fryer and serve.
These numbered steps match the numbered photos above and are for illustration purposes. For the complete list of ingredients and instructions, please see the recipe below.
WHAT TO SERVE WITH AIR FRYER TURKEY MEATBALLS
Serve turkey meatballs with marinara sauce and spaghetti or zoodles for a comforting and simple dinner.
Make air fryer turkey meatballs into an appetizer by coating them in your favorite BBQ sauce and serving with toothpicks.
Use Turkey Meatballs as the protein in your meal prep lunches. Add a grain and a vegetable and you'll have a healthy lunch all week!
HOW TO YOU KEEP TURKEY MEATBALLS FROM FALLING APART?
You may have previous experience with your turkey meatballs falling apart, either while they are cooking, or after you put them in sauce.
This happens if the turkey meatballs aren't properly mixed with enough eggs and breadcrumbs. If you follow this recipe, you should have turkey meatballs that stay together perfectly.
If you find that your turkey meatballs are falling apart, usually adding less breadcrumbs next time will fix the problem.
HOW DO YOU KNOW WHEN TURKEY MEATBALLS ARE DONE?
Your air fryer turkey meatballs are done when an instant read thermometer reaches 165°F in the center of the meatballs.
You can also check visually by cutting one of the meatballs in half to ensure that it is no longer pink.
CAN YOU FREEZE TURKEY MEATBALLS?
Yes, these meatballs freeze incredibly well. Let the cooked meatballs cool completely and then freeze on a baking sheet until solid. Place in a zipper bag or freezer container and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
When ready to cook, Thaw slightly and heat in the air fryer until hot.
CAN I MAKE THIS RECIPE WITH OTHER TYPES OF MEAT?
Yes! The flavors in this recipe will work equally well with beef, pork, chicken, or meat alternatives such as Beyond Meat.
This recipe was made in a Cosori Air Fryer with a Basket. The recipe should work in other air fryers.
Keep in mind that each air fryer runs differently, it is important to check your food often.
If you have a Cuisinart Air Fryer Oven or a Ninja Basket Air Fryer, both of these units seem to run "hotter" than most air fryers. That means you will need to LESSEN the cook time.
MORE DELICIOUS AIR FRYER RECIPES TO TRY
If you like air fryer turkey meatballs, I bet you'll like these recipes too!
Air Fryer Brats are a delicious and simple way to cook sausages in the air fryer. They cook with peppers and onions for tons of flavor.
For a dump and go recipe, try Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas. Serve with all of the taco fixings, you won't be disappointed!
Have a sweet tooth? Try these Air Fryer Chocolate Glazed Donuts. Just like Krispy Kreme!
Have you made this recipe? Please leave a comment AND rating below! It helps other readers!
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Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs
Equipment
- Air fryer
Ingredients
- 1 lb Ground Turkey
- ½ cup Gluten-Free Breadcrumbs
- 1 tsp Dried Oregano
- 2 cloves Garlic minced
- ½ tsp Salt
- ½ tsp Pepper
- 1 Egg
- 2 tbsp Fresh Parsley chopped
Instructions
- Add ground turkey, breadcrumbs, oregano, garlic, salt, pepper, egg and fresh parsley to a medium sized bowl.
- Mix until evenly combined.
- Roll into 15 equal sized meatballs and place on a plate or baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Preheat air fryer at 400F for 5 minutes. Add meatballs to the air fryer in a single layer, being sure not to overlap them. If you are working with a smaller air fryer, you may need to cook the meatballs in two batches to ensure even cooking.
- Cook meatballs at 400F for 4 minutes. Turn the meatballs over and cook for another 4 minutes, or until meatballs reach an internal temperature of 165F. If the meatballs are not yet completely cooked, place them back in the air fryer for another 1-2 minutes.
Video
Notes
- Either regular or gluten free breadcrumbs can be used in this recipe. If using an Italian seasoned breadcrumbs, you may want to cut back on the oregano in the recipe.
- The size of the meatballs will determine how quickly they cook. Larger meatballs may need more time, and smaller ones will not take as long.
- Pro Tip: This recipe can be made in the air fryer unit with a basket or the air fryer oven. If you are using the air fryer oven, use the middle rack and select the "Air Fry" function.
- Pro Tip: Check your food as it cooks. Each air fryer runs a bit differently. Sometimes airfying is a trial and error process. Check your food as it cooks to learn your air fryer better! When cooking a new recipe or food items be sure to check your food often to help avoid over/under cooking.
Nutrition
Air Fryers can vary greatly. Please take the time to learn your specific air fryer. You may need to adjust times and temperatures based upon your air fryer. All though this website attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, the information should only be considered an estimate. Varying factors such as different product types, different brands, etc. can change nutritional information. It is your responsibility as a consumer to read all labels to make sure the ingredients fit your dietary needs as well as calculate your own nutritional information as a double check.
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These look amazing! I plan to make these with sauce over the weekend. My kids love meatballs and I have a pound of turkey waiting in the fridge!
Perfect timing!!