Soft, juicy, and loaded with flavor, these Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs cook up quickly and easily for a hearty and flavorful dish; perfect for those busy weeknights. Meatballs are a versatile dish and can be eaten in many different ways so it’s great to have them on hand in the fridge for quick and easy weeknight meals.
Air-fried turkey meatballs are made with lean ground turkey, breadcrumbs, and a variety of seasonings for a super umami flavor. Quickly cooked in the air fryer gives them a crispier outside while keeping the inside soft and juicy.
These meatballs are Ideal to serve with a bowl of spaghetti, in a sandwich, or eaten on their own with your favorite dipping sauce.
If you love meatballs, you may enjoy these Breakfast Kabobs with Breakfast Meatballs, Olive Garden Meatballs, Alfredo Meatballs, Dr. Pepper Meatballs, Meatballs and Mashed Potatoes, Costco Chicken Meatballs, Pineapple BBQ Meatballs, Carnivore Meatballs, Parmesan Meatballs or Bourbon Meatballs.
Why You Will Love This Turkey Meatball Recipe
- Quick and Easy: This simple recipe comes together in just 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you crave a delicious meal with straightforward ingredients, without spending hours in the kitchen.
- Versatile: These turkey meatballs are incredibly adaptable and can be served as a main dish, appetizer, or added to regular pasta, cauliflower rice, zucchini noodles, sandwiches, or salads for a satisfying meal.
- Air Fryer Convenience: Cooking the meatballs in the air fryer gives them a crispy exterior while keeping the insides tender and juicy, all without the need for excess oil.
- Customizable: With a basic recipe, you can easily personalize these effortless turkey meatballs by adding your favorite herbs, spices, or cheeses to suit your taste.
Ingredients
- Ground Turkey: Lean ground turkey is a great source of lean protein and serves as the base for these easy air fryer turkey meatballs, providing a lighter alternative to traditional beef meatballs. If you prefer, you can substitute turkey with ground chicken or ground pork.
- Breadcrumbs: Breadcrumbs act as a binder, helping to hold the meatballs together and providing texture. You can use regular breadcrumbs or panko breadcrumbs for added crunch. For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free breadcrumbs or almond meal in place of breadcrumbs.
- Garlic Powder and Onion Powder: These pantry staples add aromatic flavor to the meatballs without having to chop fresh garlic or onions.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Worcestershire sauce gives the turkey richness and adds a subtle tanginess to the meatballs.
- Italian Seasoning: A blend of dried herbs such as oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary infuses the meatballs with classic Italian flavor.Salt and Pepper: Essential for seasoning, salt and pepper balance the flavors in the meatballs.
- Egg: The egg acts as a binding agent, helping to hold the homemade meatballs together and preventing them from falling apart during cooking.
See the recipe card below for the full ingredient list and exact quantities of each ingredient.
Variations
- Change up the seasonings: Use your favorite spices or whatever you have on hand. You can go with all Italian, Greek, or a combination of different types to create your own unique flavors. You can even deepen the flavor by stirring in chopped fresh herbs like parsley, basil, or oregano.
- Swap the breadcrumbs: Make the meatballs gluten-free and use oats or almond flour instead of breadcrumbs.
- Add some spice: Stir in red pepper flakes or a touch of sriracha for a little kick. You can also try our jalapeno powder, smoked jalapeno powder, or chipotle powder for something different.
- Throw in some veggies: For added flavor and texture, consider adding diced onions, minced garlic, or grated carrots to the meatball mixture for flavor and nutrients.
- Mix in some cheese: Add crumbled feta, grated parmesan, or cheddar cheese to add more flavor.
- Try Asian-inspired: Use soy sauce instead of Worcestershire, and stir in a touch of honey and grated ginger.
How to Make Turkey Meatballs in the Air Fryer
Here's a look at the simple steps for making juicy air-fried turkey meatballs!
Step 1: Mix the meat. Combine the ground turkey, breadcrumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, egg, and chopped parsley in a large bowl. Add some chicken broth for extra moisture if you want.
Step 2: Shape the meatballs. Use a small ice cream scoop or spoon to scoop out portions of the turkey mixture and shape them into evenly-sized meatballs. I got about 8-10 two-ounce meatballs.
Step 3: Add to the air fryer. Place the meatballs in a single layer in the preheated air fryer basket with room between the meatballs.
Step 4: Cooking the meatballs. Air fry the turkey meatballs at 350°F for 10-12 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time for even browning. Allow the turkey meatballs to rest in the air fryer for 5 minutes before serving. Doing this allows the juices to be redistributed for better flavor and texture.
⭐️ Hint: Be sure to avoid overcrowding your meatballs. You might need to cook them in batches if you have a small air fryer.
If you enjoy recipes like this, You might also like to try these Air Fryer Frozen Meatballs or our Air Fryer Chicken Katsu next.
Storage
Store Leftovers. Allow the meatballs to cool completely before transferring them to an airtight container. Refrigerate them for up to 3-4 days or freeze them for up to 2-3 months.
Reheat: Microwave them until they are heated through or place them back in the air fryer for a few minutes until they are warmed through.
Serving Suggestions
These meatballs can be eaten with so many different dishes or on their own. Here are some great examples:
- Substitute these turkey meatballs for these Olive Garden Spaghetti and Meatballs and serve with spaghetti or serve these turkey meatballs on top of this Spaghetti alla Bolognese.
- Make for an appetizer and serve with this Texas Roadhouse Steak Sauce or this Vegan Buffalo Sauce.
- Prepare as a party snack along with these Italian Nachos.
Recipe Tips
- Don't Over Mix: Mix the ingredients until they are just combined to avoid overworking the meat mixture. This may result in dense meatballs instead of juicy turkey meatballs.
- Use an Ice Cream Scoop: For evenly sized meatballs, use an ice cream scoop or tablespoon to portion out the meat mixture.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheating the air fryer ensures even cooking and helps to give the air fry turkey meatballs a crispy exterior.
- Rest Before Serving: Allow the meatballs to rest for 5-7 minutes after cooking to allow the juices to redistribute and for the meatballs to firm up slightly.
Recipe FAQs
Absolutely! Bake the meatballs in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes or until they are cooked through. I sometimes like to use parchment paper or aluminum foil liners because they help prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
Yes, you can prepare the meatball mixture ahead of time and refrigerate it in an airtight container until you're ready to air fry.
It's best not to overcrowd the air fryer basket, so if you're doubling the batch, you’ll need to cook them in multiple batches to ensure that they cook evenly and get brown and crispy.
Video
More Delicious Turkey Recipes
Do you like turkey? Here are some recipes you may also like to try!
Ready to get cooking? Remember that you can print this recipe if you would like.
Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs
Equipment
- Spatula or spoon for mixing
- Parchment paper or aluminum foil (optional)
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground turkey
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped
- 1 tablespoon chicken broth optional
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes.
- In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, breadcrumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, egg, and chopped parsley. If you like, add chicken broth for extra moisture. Mix until all ingredients are well combined.
- Using a small ice cream scoop or spoon, scoop out portions of the turkey mixture and shape them into evenly sized meatballs, about 8-10 depending on your preffered size. Mine were roughly 2 ounces each.
- Place the meatballs in a single layer in the preheated air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded. You might need to cook them in batches if your air fryer is small.
- Air fry the turkey meatballs at 350°F for 10-12 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time for even browning.
- Once they are cooked and golden brown, ensure that the internal temperature of the meatballs reaches 165°F (75°C) using an instant-read thermometer.
- Allow the turkey meatballs to rest in the air fryer for 5 minutes before serving. Doing this allows the juices to be redistributed for better flavor and texture.
- Serve these flavorful air fryer ground turkey meatballs hot as a main dish, appetizer, or alongside your favorite sauce or side dishes.
Video
Notes
- Don't Over Mix: Mix the ingredients until they are just combined to avoid overworking the meat mixture. This may result in dense meatballs instead of juicy turkey meatballs.
- Use an Ice Cream Scoop: For evenly sized meatballs, use an ice cream scoop or tablespoon to portion out the meat mixture.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheating the air fryer ensures even cooking and helps to give the air fry turkey meatballs a crispy exterior.
- Rest Before Serving: Allow the meatballs to rest for 5-7 minutes after cooking to allow the juices to redistribute and for the meatballs to firm up slightly.
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