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.
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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.
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.
Notes
Nutrition
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.
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