Enjoy these versatile chicken homemade meatballs as a delightful appetizer for a crowd or pair them with your preferred pasta or to make meatball subs for an easy weeknight meal.
Why you love this recipe
- Versatility: These chicken meatballs are incredibly versatile. Whether you're serving them as appetizers, pairing them with pasta, or using them in sandwiches, they're sure to be a hit.
- Quick and Easy: With a prep time of just 20 minutes and a total cooking time of 38 minutes, this recipe is quick and easy to make, perfect for busy weeknights or entertaining guests.
- Healthy: Cooking these meatballs in the air fryer results in a lighter dish compared to traditional frying methods. You'll get the crispy texture you love without the excess oil.
- Customizable: The recipe offers plenty of room for customization. From adding different seasonings to incorporating cheese or spicy elements, you can tailor the flavors to suit your preferences.
- Family-Friendly: These chicken meatballs are loved by both kids and adults alike. They make for a satisfying meal or snack that the whole family can enjoy.
- Make-Ahead and Freezer-Friendly: You can prepare the meatball mixture in advance and refrigerate it until you're ready to cook. Cooked meatballs can also be frozen for later use, making meal planning a breeze.
- Perfectly Cooked Every Time: By following the instructions and tips provided, you'll achieve perfectly cooked meatballs with a golden-brown exterior and juicy interior, ensuring a delicious result every time you make them.
The ingredients
You will need these simple ingredients you can easily find at the grocery store to make these air fryer ground chicken meatballs
- Ground chicken
- Egg
- Panko breadcrumbs
- Italian seasoning
- salt
- black pepper
- fresh parsley, finely chopped
See recipe card for quantities
How to make the Air Fryer Chicken Meatballs, step-by-step with photos
In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, egg, panko breadcrumbs, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and fresh parsley.
Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly distributed.
With your hands or a cookie scoop, form small portions of the meat mixture into meatballs, approximately 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter. Ensure uniform size for consistent cooking.
Lightly grease the air fryer basket with cooking spray or a small amount of oil. Arrange meatballs in a single layer in the basket, ensuring they do not touch for proper air circulation.
Cook meatballs in the preheated air fryer for 15-18 minutes, flipping halfway through cooking. You can use a meat thermometer to ensure the meat temperature reaches 165°F to ensure thorough cooking.
After cooking, cut open one meatball to confirm it is cooked through and no longer pink in the center.
Once cooked, remove these juicy chicken meatballs from the air fryer. Serve hot as an appetizer with your favorite dipping sauce, or a main dish over pasta with marinara sauce.
Optionally, garnish with additional fresh parsley or grated Parmesan cheese.
Tips
- Always preheat the air fryer before cooking for even cooking and a crispy exterior.
- Mix ingredients until just combined to avoid dense meatballs.
- Use a food thermometer to ensure meatballs reach 165°F internally.
- Shape meatballs uniformly for even cooking.
- Arrange meatballs in a single layer in the air fryer basket for even browning.
- Flip meatballs halfway through cooking for a crispy exterior.
- These delicious air fryer chicken meatballs are great to use in your meal prep, as it's an easy recipe and they freeze very well.
Variations
Add shredded mozzarella cheese or Parmesan cheese to the meatball mixture for extra cheesiness.
Incorporate crushed red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, or diced jalapeños for a spicy twist.
Add soy sauce, minced ginger, and chopped green onions for an Asian-inspired flavor.
Mix your favorite barbecue sauce into the meatball mixture and brush the additional sauce over before air frying.
Instead of the Italian seasoning, you can a mix of garlic powder, onion powder, and oregano.
Storage
Allow cooked meatballs to cool completely at room temperature before transferring to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.
For longer storage, freeze cooled meatballs in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag or freezer-safe container. They can last up to 2-3 months.
Serving Suggestions
Arrange cooked meatballs on a platter and garnish with fresh parsley or Parmesan cheese. Provide toothpicks for easy serving.
Serve with a variety of dipping sauces such as marinara, tzatziki, buffalo sauce, honey mustard, or spicy aioli.
Serve over pasta with your preferred sauce, or with rice or quinoa for a hearty meal.
FAQ
Yes, you can substitute ground turkey or beef.
Can I make these air fryer meatballs in advance?
Absolutely! You can prepare the mixture ahead of time and refrigerate it for a few hours, or freeze cooked meatballs for later use.
Yes, adjust salt and seasoning accordingly to avoid over-seasoning.
Can I use an oven instead of an air fryer?
Yes, bake meatballs in a preheated oven at 375°F for 20-25 minutes until cooked through.
Air Fryer Chicken Meatballs
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1 egg
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley finely chopped
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F.
- In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, egg, panko breadcrumbs, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and fresh parsley. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly distributed.
- With your hands or a cookie scoop, form small portions of the meat mixture into meatballs, approximately 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter. Ensure uniform size for consistent cooking.
- Lightly grease the air fryer basket with cooking spray or a small amount of oil. Arrange meatballs in a single layer in the basket, ensuring they do not touch for proper air circulation.
- Cook meatballs in the preheated air fryer for 15-18 minutes, flipping halfway through cooking. You can use a meat thermometer to ensure the meat temperature reaches 165°F to ensure thorough cooking.
- After cooking, cut open one meatball to confirm it is cooked through and no longer pink in the center.
- Once cooked, remove these juicy chicken meatballs from the air fryer. Serve hot as an appetizer with your favorite dipping sauce, or a main dish over pasta with marinara sauce.
- Optionally, garnish with additional fresh parsley or grated Parmesan cheese.
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