Description
This Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs recipe delivers a healthy and delicious twist on classic meatballs. Made with ground turkey, Parmesan cheese, and fresh herbs, these meatballs are cooked to perfection in the air fryer, resulting in a tender, juicy interior with a lightly crisp exterior. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, served with marinara sauce, pasta, or in sandwiches.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatball Mixture
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
For Cooking
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- Soften Breadcrumbs: In a large bowl, combine the breadcrumbs and milk. Let the mixture sit for 2 minutes to allow the breadcrumbs to soak up the milk and soften, which will help keep the meatballs moist.
- Mix Meatball Ingredients: Add the ground turkey, grated Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, chopped parsley, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and olive oil to the breadcrumb mixture. Gently mix all ingredients together until just combined, being careful not to overmix to maintain tenderness.
- Form Meatballs: Shape the mixture into meatballs about 1 to 1 1/2 inches in diameter, ensuring they are similar in size for even cooking.
- Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 380°F (193°C) for 3 minutes to ensure it reaches the proper cooking temperature before adding the meatballs.
- Prepare Air Fryer Basket: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Place the meatballs in a single layer in the basket, leaving space between each to allow hot air circulation.
- Cook Meatballs: Cook the meatballs in the air fryer for 10 to 12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through the cooking process to promote even browning. Cook until meatballs reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and are fully cooked.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the meatballs from the air fryer and let them rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, keeping them juicy and flavorful.
Notes
- Avoid overmixing the meatball mixture to keep the meatballs tender and juicy.
- Serve these meatballs with marinara sauce, over pasta, or in sandwiches for versatile meal options.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for later use, making meal prep convenient.
