Meatballs in the Air Fryer
Meatballs usually mean standing over a pan and turning each one. Meatballs in the air fryer brown evenly on their own in 10–12 minutes, with less fat and no splatter. This recipe makes about 20 beef meatballs from raw mince, with times for frozen ones and ideas for serving them with tomato sauce.
- Temperature
- 180°C
- Total time
- 37min
- Prep
- 15min
- Servings
- 4
- Core temp
- 75°C
- Per serving
- 340kcal
Why the air fryer works for meatballs
Cooking meatballs in air fryer baskets gives you all-round browning without the work. The balls sit in a single layer while hot air moves around each one, so the outside turns golden and the fat drips through the basket, which leaves them lighter than pan-fried ones. They also hold their round shape better, since you do not need to turn them one by one.
Meatballs in air fryer baskets are ready in about 12 minutes, which makes them handy for pasta, subs or party food. The one thing to remember is that minced meat needs to be cooked all the way through. A thermometer reading of 75 °C in the centre tells you they are safe.
How to make meatballs in the air fryer
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Mix Put the mince, onion, garlic, breadcrumbs, egg, tomato purée, oregano, parsley, salt and pepper in a bowl. Mix with your hands until just combined – overmixing makes the meatballs tough.
- Shape Roll the mixture into about 20 balls of 25 g, roughly the size of a walnut. Wet your hands to stop the mixture sticking.
- Chill Put the meatballs on a plate and chill for so they hold their shape.
- Cook Heat the air fryer to 180 °C. Brush the basket lightly with the oil and arrange the meatballs in a single layer with a little space between them. Cook for , shaking the basket or turning them halfway.
- Check Minced meat must be cooked right through, so the FSA says they should be steaming hot with no pink. Push a thermometer into the centre of the largest meatball, which should read 75 °C, and cut one open to check that it is not pink.
Cooking times and temperatures
| Meatballs | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Raw meatballs, 25 gShake halfway | 180 °C | 10–12 min |
| Large raw meatballs, 40 g | 180 °C | 14–15 min |
| Frozen meatballsNo need to thaw | 180 °C | 10–14 min |
| Turkey meatballsCore 75 °C | 180 °C | 12–13 min |
| Meatballs with sauceAdd the sauce at the end | 160 °C | 6–8 min |
Times are a guide and depend on the size of the food and the power of your air fryer. Cooked when the centre reaches 75 °C. See also cooking times and temperatures for all dishes.
Tips
- Keep the balls the same size. A kitchen scale or a small ice cream scoop makes them equal, so they finish at the same time.
- Do not overcrowd. Space between the balls lets the hot air reach every side.
- Add sauce at the end. Tossing the cooked meatballs in warm tomato sauce keeps the crust. Simmering them in the sauce from raw makes them soft.
Serving
Serve the meatballs with spaghetti and tomato sauce, in a toasted sub roll with melted cheese, or with mash and peas. They also work as party food on cocktail sticks. For a similar recipe from a different angle, see frozen meatballs, or serve alongside toasted bread and a green salad.
Storing and reheating
Cooked meatballs keep for 3 days in the fridge. Reheat in the air fryer at 160 °C for 4–5 minutes, until steaming hot all the way through (75 °C in the centre). Uncooked meatballs freeze well on a tray and then in a bag for up to 3 months, and can go straight into the basket.
Variations
- Swedish-style: Add ½ tsp ground allspice and serve with cream sauce and lingonberry jam. This version is not dairy-free.
- Turkey meatballs: Use turkey mince and add a spoonful of olive oil to the mixture to keep it moist.
- Spicy: Add 1 tsp harissa paste or chilli flakes to the mixture.
Troubleshooting
- The meatballs fall apart
- The mixture is too wet or was not chilled. Add a spoonful more breadcrumbs, chill the balls for 10 minutes and do not move them for the first 5 minutes.
- The meatballs are dry
- Mince that is too lean, or too long in the basket. Use mince with at least 10% fat and take them out as soon as they reach 75 °C.
- They are browned on one side only
- The basket was crowded. Cook in a single layer, in two batches if needed, and shake halfway.
Frequently asked questions
How long to cook meatballs in the air fryer?
Raw 25 g meatballs take 10–12 minutes at 180 °C. Larger 40 g meatballs need 14–15 minutes. Shake the basket halfway.
Can you cook frozen meatballs in an air fryer?
Yes, with no need to defrost. Cook frozen meatballs at 180 °C for 10–14 minutes, shaking halfway, until steaming hot with 75 °C in the centre.
Can you cook raw meatballs in the air fryer?
Yes. Raw meatballs brown well in the basket and cook through in 10–12 minutes. Check one with a thermometer to make sure it reaches 75 °C.
Do you need to add oil to meatballs in the air fryer?
Not really. The mince has enough fat, and a teaspoon of oil in the basket only helps stop sticking.
Can you cook meatballs with no breadcrumbs?
Yes. Replace the breadcrumbs with 2 tbsp of ground almonds or rolled oats, or leave them out and add a second egg yolk for binding.
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