Make Juicy Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs in Minutes

These air fryer turkey meatballs are juicy, tender, and cook up in no time! They are healthy, satisfying, and super versatile.

If you’ve cooked turkey breast, turkey bacon, or turkey burgers in the air fryer, you’ll no doubt love my turkey meatballs.

I make them all the time because they are just as juicy as you’d expect pan-fried or baked ones to be, but cook up in a fraction of the time!Table of Contents

Air fryer turkey meatballs are a delicious and healthier alternative to traditional beef meatballs. With just a few simple ingredients, you can make tender, flavorful turkey meatballs in your air fryer in under 30 minutes. Keep reading to learn all about making air fryer turkey meatballs, from ingredients to cook times and serving ideas.

Benefits of Cooking Turkey Meatballs in an Air Fryer

Using an air fryer to cook turkey meatballs offers several advantages:

Quick cooking time – Air frying cooks food quickly by circulating hot air around the food. Turkey meatballs take only 15-20 minutes to cook through in an air fryer.
Less fat and calories – The air fryer requires little to no oil for cooking, resulting in turkey meatballs that are lower in fat and calories than deep fried versions.
Crispy exterior – The hot air creates a crispy, browned exterior while keeping the inside tender and juicy.
Easy cleanup – With no messy oil to deal with, cleanup of the air fryer basket is quick and minimal after cooking
Versatile – Air fried turkey meatballs can be served as an appetizer, entree, over pasta, in subs, and more.

Choosing Ground Turkey for Meatballs

Ground turkey is leaner than ground beef but can still make juicy, flavorful meatballs. Here are some tips for picking the best ground turkey:

Choose 93% lean for a balance of moisture and flavor. Going above 93% can cause dry meatballs.
Opt for ground turkey breast over full ground turkey for meatballs with the best texture
Make sure the turkey is not oddly mushy or watery before cooking.
Organic, antibiotic-free turkey offers maximum health benefits.

Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs Ingredients

Air fryer turkey meatballs call for simple pantry staples you likely have on hand:

Ground turkey – Use 93% lean or ground turkey breast.
Breadcrumbs – Plain dry breadcrumbs hold the meatballs together.
Egg – Binds the ingredients and adds moisture.
Onion – Finely diced or minced adds flavor.
Garlic – Minced garlic provides aromatic flavor.
Fresh parsley – Provides a freshness and color contrast.
Seasonings – Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper add robust flavor.
Parmesan cheese (optional) – Grated parmesan gives a tasty crunch.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these simple steps for perfect air fryer turkey meatballs every time:

1. Prepare the ingredients

Crack the egg into a small bowl and beat lightly.
Peel and mince the garlic.
Finely dice the onion.
Chop the fresh parsley.
Grate the parmesan cheese, if using.

2. Make the meatball mixture

In a medium bowl, combine the ground turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, onions, garlic, parsley, and any seasonings (Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper).
Use your hands to gently mix everything together until just combined. Overmixing will lead to dense, rubbery meatballs.

3. Form into balls

Lightly roll heaping tablespoons of the mixture into 1-1.5 inch balls.
Place the uncooked meatballs on a parchment lined baking sheet or plate as you form them.

4. Cook the meatballs

Preheat air fryer to 400°F.
Spray air fryer basket lightly with oil or line with parchment paper.
Working in batches if needed, place meatballs in a single layer in the basket, being careful not to overcrowd them.
Air fry for 7-8 minutes until browned.
Flip and air fry 7-8 minutes more until meatballs reach an internal temperature of 165°F.

5. Finish and serve

Remove cooked meatballs from the air fryer and let rest 2-3 minutes before serving.
Garnish with chopped parsley and grated parmesan if desired.
Enjoy air fried turkey meatballs on their own or served over spaghetti, in subs, or however you prefer!

Cooking Tips

Follow these tips for the best results when making air fryer turkey meatballs:

Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook meatballs in batches for even cooking.
Brush basket with oil or use parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Adjust cook times as needed based on size of meatballs and your air fryer model.
Use an instant read thermometer to confirm meatballs reach safe 165°F.
Let meatballs rest 2-3 minutes before serving for juiciest results.

Serving Suggestions

The possibilities are endless when it comes to serving delicious air fryer turkey meatballs:

Appetizer – Serve popped on a toothpick with marinara dipping sauce.
Over pasta – Toss meatballs with your favorite jarred marinara sauce and pasta.
Sub sandwiches – Layer meatballs on crusty rolls topped with cheese and veggies.
Over rice or grains – Serve meatballs mixed into rice bowls, quinoa, and more.
In salads – Add halved meatballs to spinach or mixed green salads.
As a snack – Keep a batch on hand for high protein snacks and lunchbox additions.

Storing and Freezing Cooked Turkey Meatballs

Refrigerating

Allow cooked meatballs to cool completely.
Store in an airtight container in the fridge up to 4 days.

Freezing

Place cooked meatballs in a single layer on a sheet tray and freeze until solid.
Transfer to freezer bags or airtight containers, removing as much air as possible.
Frozen meatballs will keep for 2-3 months.
Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

FAQs

What’s the best size to make the meatballs?

Make meatballs around 1-1.5 inches in diameter for the perfect poppable size. This produces nicely browned outsides and fully cooked interiors.

Can I use beef or other meats instead?

Absolutely! This same recipe works well with lean ground beef, ground chicken, pork or turkey sausage. Adjust cook times as needed.

How can I tell when they’re done cooking?

Use an instant read thermometer to check for an internal temperature of 165°F. If you cut one open, it should no longer be pink inside.

Do I need to thaw frozen meatballs before air frying?

Nope! You can cook frozen meatballs straight from the freezer. Just add a couple extra minutes to the cook time.

Enjoy Restaurant-Quality Turkey Meatballs at Home

With just a few minutes of prep time, you can enjoy tender and flavorful air fried turkey meatballs any night of the week. Ditch the fat and calories of deep fried meatballs by making your own healthier version at home. Experiment with fun herb and spice blends in the recipe until you find your family’s favorite way to enjoy these tasty turkey meatballs.

air fryer meatballs turkey

Why you’ll love this recipe

Healthy. Compared to ground beef or chicken, using ground turkey has less saturated fat and calories.
Fast. These meatballs take less than 10 minutes to cook from prep to plate.
Versatile. Toss them through a sauce, stuff them in a meatball sub, or serve them over some salad: the possibilities are endless. I typically cook them as a dinnertimee main dish but they make a healthy appetizer too.
Mess-free. Probably my favorite reason for using the air fryer is that there is no deep frying or pan-frying AKA no oil splutter or clean up.

What I love most about this recipe is just how incredible the texture is. Just like in our original air fryer meatball recipe, the combination of ingredients guarantees that the meatballs are never dry or flavorless and are perfectly juicy and moist in the middle.

This recipe calls for simple meatball staple ingredients that you’ll likely already have on hand. Here is what you’ll need:

Ground turkey. Both lean and standard ground turkey work. I prefer the former as it is healthier and yields a more tender meatball.
Breadcrumbs. Standard or wholewheat. I don’t recommend panko bread crumbs as they tend to dry out the meat when air frying.
Garlic. Always use the fresh kind, not dried garlic.
Dried basil. To add flavor.
Salt. To taste.
Egg. Room temperature.
Milk. Adds moistness to the meatballs.

Find the printable recipe with measurements below.

How to air fry turkey meatballs

These meatballs are an easy meal and follow just 4 simple steps below:

Step 1: Preheat the air fryer. Start by preheating the air fryer at 200C/400F for 5 minutes.

Step 2: Mix all the meatball ingredients. In a large bowl, add all your ingredients including the ground turkey, and mix using a spatula or even your hands to thoroughly work the mixture.

Step 3: Shape meatballs. Using your hands, shape 12-15 meatballs. I like lightly wetting my hards beforehand as it helps the meat from sticking to my fingers.

Step 4: Air fry the meatballs. Place the meatballs in a greased air fryer basket. Air fry for 8 minutes, flipping halfway through. The meatballs are ready to eat once they reach an internal temperature of 165F.

Step 5: Rest and serve. Allow the meatballs to rest for 5 minutes before serving.