Spaghetti is even better with these Italian-style air fryer turkey meatballs! They’re juicy and perfectly seasoned, with an irresistible crispy, golden brown exterior.
I promise I won’t judge you if you eat these juicy turkey meatballs straight out of the air fryer basket—but you’ll love them even more when they’re smothered with marinara and piled onto a plate of your favorite pasta. Turkey meatballs aren’t always delicious, but this recipe keeps them moist and adds lots of seasonings to ensure they’re flavorful! (These Asian turkey meatballs are equally tasty.)
Why These Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs Are a Game-Changer
This is going to become your go-to meatball recipe! Here’s why:
- Actually moist and juicy. Because turkey is leaner than ground beef, it’s more prone to drying out. But the air fryer creates the perfect environment for cooking moist and juicy turkey meatballs, without any added fat or oil.
- Crispy and golden brown. I LOVE when meatballs have that crispy golden crusty layer on the outside and these turkey meatballs deliver. So, so good!
- Quick and easy. With just a few minutes of prep time and 10 minutes or less in the air fryer, these meatballs are ready to devour. These are the easiest meatballs you’ll ever make!
What You’ll Need
The ingredient list for these air fryer turkey meatballs is short and sweet! Scroll down to the recipe card to find the ingredient quantities and recipe instructions.
- Ground turkey – Any kind you like! But note that with a higher fat content, you’ll have more tender, juicy meatballs.
- Egg – This helps bind the meatballs together.
- Parmesan cheese – I love freshly grated Parmesan, but this is a recipe where store-bought grated Parmesan will work too.
- Italian seasoning
- Italian breadcrumbs – Or you can use regular breadcrumbs and add a little extra Italian seasoning.
- Salt and pepper
- Tomato sauce and pasta – For serving.
How to Make Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs
You’ll find the full instructions for making turkey meatballs in the air fryer in the printable recipe card below.
- Prepare. Start preheating your air fryer to 400ºF.
- Mix the meat. Add all of the meatball ingredients to a bowl and mix them together with your hands.
- Form the meatballs. Roll the turkey mixture into balls and set them in the air fryer basket.
- Air fry. Cook the turkey meatballs for 8 to 10 minutes, or until they reach 165ºF.
- Finish. Warm the sauce in a pan on the stove; add the meatballs, then serve over pasta.
Tips for Success
Here are a few simple tips to make sure your air fryer turkey meatballs turn out perfect!
- Don't overwork the ground turkey mixture. Overworking the meat can result in tough, dry, and dense meatballs. Mix gently until just combined and then roll the meatballs gently without compacting them.
- Make sure your air fryer is hot. Preheating the air fryer will ensure even cooking and a crispy exterior on the meatballs.
- Use a food thermometer. To make sure your meatballs are safely cooked and not OVERcooked, use a food thermometer to check for an internal temperature of 165ºF.
Serving Suggestions
You can’t go wrong with pasta and marinara (or this cherry tomato pasta), but that’s not your only option! Add the meatballs and sauce to toasted hoagie rolls with mozzarella and provolone for meatball subs, serve them over polenta, or even set them out with toothpicks for an easy appetizer.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
- Refrigerator: Store leftover turkey meatballs in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: You can also freeze any extra meatballs in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 2 months.
- To reheat: Place the meatballs in the air fryer at 400ºF for about 5 minutes until heated through. If you’ve already combined them with the sauce, you can warm them on the stovetop over low heat.
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Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1 egg , beaten
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ⅓ cup Italian breadcrumbs
- Generous pinch of salt and pepper
For serving:
- 1 (24oz) jar of your favorite tomato sauce
- 1 lb cooked pasta
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400ºF.
- Mix together all the meatball ingredients with your hands in a large mixing bowl.
- Once everything is combined, form the dough into a ball about the size of a golf ball.
- Place the ball in the air fryer tray and repeat until you have no more dough left. Depending on the size of your air fryer you should be able to fit all twelve.
- Cook for 8 – 10 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165ºF.
- To serve, pour the sauce in a small sauce pan. Add the meatballs to the sauce and heat until the sauce is warm.
- Serve with your choice of pasta and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
