Air Fryer Italian Meatballs is made with ground beef, Italian breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, 1 egg; air fry at 400°F for 14 minutes to serve 4. 280 calories per serving.
Ingredients
Steps
- 1
Mix ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, garlic, parsley, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Don't overmix.
- 2
Form into 1.5-inch meatballs (about 16). Uniform size ensures even cooking.
- 3
Air fry at 400°F for 12-14 minutes, shaking once, until browned and 160°F internal.
- 4
Toss in marinara sauce. Serve over pasta, in sub rolls, or with toothpicks as appetizers.
Tip: 80/20 beef has enough fat to stay juicy — leaner beef makes dry meatballs. Mix gently and only until just combined. An ice cream scoop makes perfectly uniform meatballs. They freeze beautifully for meal prep.
Why Air Fry This?
- ⏱️Ready in 14 minutes vs ~25 in a conventional oven — no preheating needed.
- 🍖Circulating hot air renders fat and seals in juices for a crispier outside and tender inside.
- ⚡Uses significantly less energy than heating a full-size oven for a single batch.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Cook Air Fryer Italian Meatballs at 400°F for 14 minutes. 80/20 beef has enough fat to stay juicy — leaner beef makes dry meatballs. Mix gently and only until just combined. An ice cream scoop makes perfectly uniform meatballs. They freeze beautifully for meal prep.
You need: 1 lb ground beef (80/20), 1/3 cup Italian breadcrumbs, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan, 1 egg, 2 cloves garlic, minced, 2 tbsp fresh parsley, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp pepper, 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, Marinara sauce, Pasta or sub rolls, Fresh basil, Extra Parmesan. This recipe serves 4 with 280 calories per serving.
Air Fryer Italian Meatballs takes 14 minutes total at 400°F. Toss in marinara sauce. Serve over pasta, in sub rolls, or with toothpicks as appetizers.
This recipe is rated Easy. It serves 4 and takes just 14 minutes at 400°F.
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