Air Fryer Chicken Meatballs

Air fryer chicken meatballs have become one of my favorite ways to make any kind of meatball! There’s no long simmering time on the stovetop, and yet they’re still so moist and full of flavor. I love that I don’t need to wait for a weekend to make them, they’re perfect for weeknight dinners too.

These homemade chicken meatballs come together in 20 minutes, with a cook time of just 12 minutes. They rival any meatball made by any other method. They’re that good!

Chicken is lean meat, so it doesn’t come with a ton of grease, but thanks to the air fryer browning the outside, it allows the moisture to be trapped inside. They’re just the perfect pop-in-our-mouth appetizer or party snack and they’re of course amazing on top of your favorite bowl of pasta!

Why This Recipe Works

• The result is a delicious crispy bite with a juicy middle and unlike softer meatballs, they never fall apart!
• They’re super simple to make with just a simple blend of herbs and spices and a special bit of heat from the red pepper flakes. They’re packed with flavor!
• Less grease and fat than a fried, deep-fried, or beef meatball.
• They’re a versatile dish that can be used as an appetizer, a main dish, or a snack!

Ingredients Needed

• Ground chicken – I enjoy chicken meatballs because I like them a bit lighter than beef meatballs (sometimes), but feel free to use whatever ground meat you like.
• Egg – Needed for binding the ingredients together. Otherwise, the meatball won’t hold its structure.
• Breadcrumbs – Panko breadcrumbs are great because of how light they are, and they don’t weigh the meatballs down or make them too dense. However, you can use whatever breadcrumbs you have on hand, it will still work. To make this healthy with minimal effort, use whole wheat panko breadcrumbs.
• Parmesan cheese – I recommend grating your parmesan fresh off of a wedge if you can! It’s always nice to have freshly grated cheese, especially when you have so few ingredients in a recipe.
• Mayonnaise – A secret ingredient that will add a ton of moisture. It’s needed, especially with ground poultry.
• Seasoning – Garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes, salt & pepper are all it takes to make these meatballs so tasty.
• Fresh parsley – An optional addition of fresh herbs. Some people don’t enjoy parsley, so it’s up to you.
• Cooking oil spray – oil helps crisp the outside of the meatballs.

How to Make Chicken Meatballs in the Air Fryer

Step 1: Preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees F.

Step 2: In a large bowl, beat the egg first, and then add the rest of the ingredients.

Step 3: Mix the ingredients until well combined. Do not press down on the meat. Overworking the meat will create dense meatballs.

Step 4: Roll individual meatballs into 1.5” balls and place them in a single layer onto the air fryer tray/basket. (Tip: I used a 1/8 measuring cup to create uniform meatballs). Depending on how big your Air Fryer is, you may need to work in batches.

Step 5: Spray cooking oil on the top of the meatballs. Air fry them for about 12 minutes or until the meatballs are browned and cooked through (internal temperature 155-160°F).

Tips & Variations

• To make this healthy with minimal effort, use whole wheat panko breadcrumbs.
• If you don’t mind getting your hands dirty, use your hands to gently mix the meatball ingredients.
• Do not press down on the meat. To keep the meatballs moist and not too dense, you don’t want to work the meat too much.
• Use a kitchen thermometer to check for doneness. The internal temperature should read 155-160°F.
• For a twist, swap the ground chicken for ground turkey, ground beef, ground lamb, ground pork, or a combination of any of them.
• Remember not to overcrowd the air fryer. Leave enough space in between for the air to circulate.
• For a little spicier meatball, increase the amount of red pepper flakes.
• If you want to omit the red pepper flakes altogether you can do that too!
• To hide some veggies that will also add moisture, add some shredded zucchini in there. The kids will never know!

Can I use this recipe without using the air fryer?

You bet! If you do want to simmer them in sauce or use a frying pan or slow cooker, by all means, go right ahead. This recipe works great, no matter what method you use.

Can I Sneak Some Veggies in?

These meatballs are great for sneaking in some veggies to make it even healthier (great for those picky eaters!). Here are some options:

• chopped spinach
• chopped kale
• finely chopped or grated carrots
• grated zucchini
• chopped broccoli florets

You can also grind the vegetables up in the food processor to save time.

What to Serve with Air Fryer Meatballs

These juicy meatballs have so much flavor and are packed with protein you can enjoy a bowl of them all on their own and be completely satisfied! Or enjoy alongside a delicious plate of Instant Pot mac and cheese.

You can of course top off your favorite pasta dish or serve them on a bed of rice as a quick and easy dinner idea. Serve with a side of air fryer asparagus or air fryer broccoli.

If you plan on serving them as an appetizer or snack, think about adding some other fun finger food ideas to the menu. Perhaps some air fryer jalapeno poppers, some air fryer garlic bread, or air fryer potato skins are in order!

Storing & Reheating Leftovers

Keep stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply place meatballs back in the air fryer at 350 degrees for a couple of minutes until warmed through. You can also warm them up in a sauce for pasta.

Freezing

Make extra and freeze so you have meatballs ready for a quick snack or throw in a protein for dinner. Follow the cooking instructions as directed. Let the meatballs cool down completely before placing them into a freezer ziplock bag. Press all the air out of the bag. Store for up to 2 months. To reheat, let the meatballs thaw and place them back into the air fryer for 2-3 minutes until warm.