Air Fryer Meatballs
Beef and pork meatballs with breadcrumbs, egg and garlic, cooked in a single layer in the air fryer until browned. Four servings in 27 minutes.
Air Fryer Meatballs, Step by Step
Tap a step to highlight it, or turn on Cook Mode for large type and step-by-step focus.
-
Stir the breadcrumbs into the milk and leave for 5 minutes. Heat the air fryer to 190°C / 375°F.
-
Add the beef, pork, egg, garlic, oregano, salt, pepper and parmesan and mix gently until just combined. Shape into 20 balls with wet hands.
-
Arrange the meatballs in a single layer in the basket, in two batches if they do not fit, leaving a small gap between each.
-
Cook for 12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway, until browned and cooked through. Rest for 2 minutes before serving.
Tips for Making Air Fryer Meatballs
- Cook in batches rather than piling the meatballs up.
- If your air fryer runs hot, check at 9 minutes.
- Wet your hands when shaping so the mixture does not stick.
- Cut one open to check that no pink remains.
Swaps and Variations
- An eighth of a teaspoon of garlic powder per clove is the usual stand-in when you are out of fresh garlic — it will not caramelise the same way, but it carries the flavour.
- Fresh herbs work in place of the dried oregano at roughly three times the quantity — a teaspoon of dried is about a tablespoon of fresh, chopped.
What to Serve with Air Fryer Meatballs
- Spaghetti and tomato sauce
- Crusty rolls
- Rice
- Green salad
Leftovers and Storage
Keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 180°C for 4 minutes. Cooked meatballs freeze for up to 3 months.
Air Fryer Meatballs FAQ: Common Questions
How long does Air Fryer Meatballs take to make?
About 27 minutes in total — 15 minutes of preparation and 12 minutes of cooking. The recipe serves 4.
What are the key tips for making Air Fryer Meatballs?
Cook in batches rather than piling the meatballs up. If your air fryer runs hot, check at 9 minutes. Wet your hands when shaping so the mixture does not stick. Cut one open to check that no pink remains.
What should I serve with Air Fryer Meatballs?
Spaghetti and tomato sauce; Crusty rolls; Rice; Green salad.
Can Air Fryer Meatballs be made ahead or frozen?
Keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 180°C for 4 minutes. Cooked meatballs freeze for up to 3 months.
Is Air Fryer Meatballs suitable for a special diet?
This recipe is low-carb, keto and no added sugar. Those labels are checked against the ingredient list, so a dish is only marked when nothing in it contradicts the claim.
How many calories are in Air Fryer Meatballs?
About 351 kcal per serving, with 27 g protein, 9 g carbohydrate and 23 g fat. The figures are calculated from the ingredient list and are an estimate.
Air Fryer Meatballs Nutrition
Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Treat these as an estimate — brands and cuts vary.
Reader Reviews
Cooked this? Leave a review
Written and tested by Turab
One person, one kitchen — no test kitchen, no team. How every recipe on this site is checked before it goes up.