Turkey Meatballs in the Air Fryer
Turkey mince makes light, lean meatballs, but they can turn out dry and pale if you cook them in a pan or the oven. Turkey meatballs air fryer style brown evenly on their own in 10–12 minutes, with no turning of each one and almost no oil. Here is the recipe, with swaps for no egg or no breadcrumbs.
- Temperature
- 190°C
- Total time
- 39min
- Prep
- 15min
- Servings
- 4
- Core temp
- 75°C
- Per serving
- 210kcal
Why the air fryer works for turkey meatballs
Turkey meatballs air fryer baskets cook very evenly, because the hot air reaches every side of the ball at once. In a pan, you have to turn each one separately and the lean meat sticks, and in the oven the surface dries out while the middle is still cooking. The air fryer browns the outside in under 12 minutes while the centre stays tender.
Turkey mince has little fat, so the recipe uses grated onion, a little parmesan and an egg to keep the balls soft and moist. Cooked this way they work in a pasta sauce, a wrap or a bowl, and they hold their shape well in a sauce. For beef or pork versions, see meatballs in the air fryer, and for shop-bought ones, frozen meatballs.
How to make turkey meatballs in the air fryer
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Mix Put the turkey mince, breadcrumbs, egg, onion, garlic, parmesan, oregano, parsley, salt and pepper in a bowl. Mix with your hands for about until just combined. The mixture will feel soft and slightly sticky.
- Shape Wet your hands and roll the mixture into 20 balls of about 25 g each, around 3.5 cm across. Chill for so they hold their shape.
- Preheat and oil Preheat the air fryer to 190 °C for . Brush the meatballs lightly with the olive oil.
- Cook Place the meatballs in the basket in a single layer, with a little space between them. Cook for , shaking the basket or turning them after .
- Check Cut one meatball open or use a thermometer. The Food Standards Agency says minced meat must be cooked through, so look for 75 °C, no pink and clear juices. Rest for before adding sauce.
Cooking times and temperatures
| Turkey Meatballs | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Raw turkey meatballs, 25 gShake halfway | 190 °C | 10–12 min |
| Larger meatballs, 40 g | 180 °C | 14–15 min |
| Frozen cooked meatballs | 180 °C | 8–10 min |
| Raw meatballs from frozen | 180 °C | 13–15 min |
| Reheating cooked meatballs | 160 °C | 4–5 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.
You may also like: Christmas dinner in an air fryer
Tips
- Wet your hands. Turkey mixture is sticky. Damp hands stop it clinging as you roll.
- Cook in a single layer. Meatballs that touch steam each other and stay pale. Cook in two batches if the basket looks crowded.
- Add the sauce at the end. Tossing the cooked meatballs in warm sauce keeps the outside lightly crisp for longer.
Serving
Serve the meatballs with spaghetti and tomato sauce, or in a wrap with yoghurt, cucumber and lettuce. A tray of roasted peppers or courgettes cooked in the air fryer while the meatballs rest makes a quick plate. Turkey meatballs air fryer batches also freeze well, which is useful for midweek meals.
Storing and reheating
Cooked meatballs keep for up to 3 days in the fridge in an airtight container, and for 3 months in the freezer. Reheat them in the air fryer at 160 °C for 4–5 minutes, or 8 minutes from frozen, until they are steaming hot all the way through (75 °C in the middle).
Variations
- Greek style: Replace the parmesan with 50 g feta and the oregano with 1 tsp dried mint and a little lemon zest.
- Asian style: Use grated ginger, 1 tbsp soy sauce, spring onions and coriander, and glaze with sweet chilli sauce for the last 2 minutes.
- Hidden vegetables: Add 80 g finely grated courgette or carrot (squeezed dry) for extra moisture.
Troubleshooting
- The meatballs are dry
- Turkey mince is lean. Do not skip the grated onion, keep to 10–12 minutes and take them out at 75 °C. Overworking the mixture also makes them tough.
- The meatballs fall apart
- The mixture is too wet or was not chilled. Add a tablespoon of breadcrumbs, chill for 10 minutes and do not move the meatballs until the surface has set, after about 4 minutes.
- The meatballs are different sizes and cook unevenly
- Weigh the portions or use a small ice cream scoop so they are all about 25 g.
Frequently asked questions
How long do turkey meatballs take in an air fryer?
Raw meatballs of about 25 g take 10–12 minutes at 190 °C. Larger 40 g meatballs need 14–15 minutes.
Can you cook turkey meatballs from frozen in an air fryer?
Yes. Frozen cooked meatballs need 8–10 minutes at 180 °C, and raw frozen ones need 13–15 minutes. Always check that they are steaming hot, at 75 °C in the middle.
Can I make turkey meatballs without egg or breadcrumbs?
Yes. Use 2 tablespoons of Greek yoghurt instead of the egg, and replace the breadcrumbs with 3 tablespoons of porridge oats or ground almonds. Chill the mixture well.
How do you reheat turkey meatballs in an air fryer?
Heat them at 160 °C for 4–5 minutes until steaming hot all the way through, and add them to warm sauce.
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