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A plate piled high with perfectly browned Air Fryer Meatballs with Juicy Texture, one cut open to show the interior.

Air Fryer Meatballs with Juicy Texture

This recipe shows you how to make Italian-style meatballs using an air fryer. The method results in meatballs that are browned on the outside and remain moist inside.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 14 minutes
Resting Time 3 minutes
Total Time 27 minutes
Servings: 16 meatballs
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Meatball Mixture
  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1/2 pound lean ground pork
  • 1/3 cup seasoned bread crumbs
  • 1 egg
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Equipment

  • Medium bowl
  • Air fryer
  • Meat thermometer

Method
 

  1. In a medium bowl, combine seasoned bread crumbs, egg, milk, fresh parsley, grated Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well blended.
  2. Add the lean ground beef and lean ground pork to the bowl. Mix gently but thoroughly with the seasoning mixture. Divide the mixture evenly to form 16 uniform meatballs.
  3. Set your air fryer to preheat at 400°F.
  4. Place the meatballs in a single layer inside the air fryer basket, making sure they do not touch. Reduce the temperature setting to 380°F.
  5. Air fry the meatballs for 12 to 14 minutes, or until they are nicely browned on the outside and reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
  6. Remove the meatballs from the air fryer and allow them to rest for 3 minutes before serving.

Notes

Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to allow even cooking and crisping of the meatballs. You can substitute gluten-free bread crumbs if you need to. Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness. These meatballs go well with pasta and tomato sauce or as a snack with dipping sauces.

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