Craving delicious and healthy chicken meatballs without the mess?
Look no further than Air Fryer Chicken Meatballs! This recipe offers a healthier alternative to traditional pan-fried meatballs, utilizing the air fryer’s powerful yet gentle circulation for perfectly cooked, juicy meatballs every time.
They’re ready in under 15 minutes, making them ideal for busy weeknights or a quick and flavorful appetizer.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped onion
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder (optional)
Instructions
1. Prep: In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, chopped onion, minced garlic, egg, olive oil, parsley, salt, pepper, garlic powder (if using), and onion powder (if using). Mix gently with your hands until just combined. Avoid overworking the mixture, as this can make the meatballs tough.
2. Shape the meatballs: Using a spoon or a cookie scoop, portion the mixture into equal-sized balls. Gently roll them between your damp hands to form smooth balls. You can make them about 1-1.5 inches in diameter.
3. Preheat the air fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 370°F (188°C). Lightly grease the basket with cooking spray or coat it with a thin layer of olive oil.
4. Cook the meatballs: Arrange the meatballs in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don’t touch each other. If your air fryer is small, you might need to cook the meatballs in batches.
5. Air fry: Cook the meatballs for 8-12 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time. The exact cooking time may vary depending on the size of your meatballs and your air fryer model.
6. Check for doneness: The meatballs are done when they are golden brown on the outside and cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the thickest meatball.
7. Serve: Once cooked, remove the meatballs from the air fryer and let them cool slightly before serving. Enjoy them with your favorite marinara sauce, pesto, or glaze, on a bed of pasta, zucchini noodles, or a salad.
Tips
- For added moisture, you can add a tablespoon of grated fresh herbs like parsley or basil to the meatball mixture.
- If you don’t have panko breadcrumbs, you can use regular breadcrumbs or crushed crackers.
- To make sure the meatballs cook evenly, try to make them all similar in size.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket, as this can prevent the meatballs from cooking crispy.
- You can add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the mixture for a bit of a spicy kick.
- Leftover meatballs can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage.