These ninja air fryer Italian meatballs are bursting with so much flavor! They are soft and juicy on the inside, with a lovely brown on the outside! What's more, you can make them using any air fryer, if you do not own a Ninja Foodi.
Craving more air fryer recipes? Then try our ninja air fryer baked potatoes, air fryer hard boiled eggs, and ninja foodi salmon bites next!
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites, at no extra cost to you.
ninja air fryer meatballs
For the longest time, I have felt intimidated about making my own meatballs, mostly because I did not want to deal with oil splatters. Well, splattering oil on the stovetop is a thing of the past with these homemade Italian meatballs. More reasons this air fryer meatballs recipe rocks include:-
- it makes juicy and delicious meatballs with a wonderful brown exterior.
- simple and easy to make.
- customizable - you can easily customize the herbs and other ingredients to your liking.
- healthy - air fried meatballs need little to no oil compared to the frying method, making them healthier.
- bursting with flavor: A blend of Italian seasoning, herbs, and spices elevates the taste to new heights.
ingredients
This is a summary of the ingredients you will need to make homemade ninja foodi meatballs, as well as possible substitutions, if any.
To make these air fryer meatballs you will need:-
- breadcrumbs - the breadcrumbs add structure and help bind the meatballs. You can use gluten-free, low-carb, or your preferred breadcrumbs.
- milk - this also helps moisten and soften the breadcrumbs for tender meatballs.
- ground meat (minced meat) - here, you can use your preferred choice of ground red meat. Ground beef with a medium fat percentage, such as 85/15 or 80/20, provides a good balance of flavor and juiciness. The higher fat content adds moisture and richness to the meatballs, resulting in a more tender and flavorful outcome.
- vegetables - onion and garlic which make the meatballs aromatic and flavorful.
- seasonings and aromatics- Italian seasoning, fresh or dried parsley, dried basil, salt, pepper, and red chili flakes (optional).
how to make ninja air fryer meatballs
This is a summary of how to make air fryer meatballs. The full instructions have been provided in the recipe card below. Also, while this recipe uses the ninja foodi, it can be used with other air fryers.
- First, combine breadcrumbs and milk, allowing them to absorb the liquid.
- Preheat your air fryer to 190°C/375°F.
- Without overmixing, combine ground meat, onion, garlic, seasonings, and herbs in a bowl.
- Next, using your hands or a cookie scoop, shape the mixture into meatballs of your desired size.
- Place the meatballs inside your air fryer basket and air fry them, flipping halfway through. Use an internal read thermometer to check whether they are done (it should display at least 160°F (71.1°C).
- Finally, rest meatballs, then serve.
Related recipes: Hungry for more? Then certainly check out our collection of Ninja foodi breakfast recipes!
air fryer meatballs cooking time
The cooking time for air fryer meatballs will vary depending on the size and thickness of the meatballs. It's important to note that the internal temperature of the meatballs is the most accurate indicator of doneness. Ensure that the meatballs reach an internal temperature of at least 160°F (71.1°C) for food safety.
As a general guideline, air fryer meatballs require the following cooking time:
- Small to medium-sized meatballs: Cook for approximately 10-12 minutes at 374°F (190°C). Flip them halfway through the cooking process for even browning.
- Larger meatballs: Cook for about 13-14 minutes at 374°F (190°C). Again, remember to flip them halfway through for even cooking.
Adjust the cooking time accordingly based on the size and thickness of your meatballs, and always use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature for accurate results.
useful tips
- For added moisture and tenderness, soak the breadcrumbs in milk before incorporating them into the meat mixture.
- For even cooking, do not stack the meatballs on top of each other.
- Don't be afraid to get your hands dirty! Mixing the ingredients gently with your hands yields the best texture and ensures an even distribution of flavors. However, avoid overmixing, as it can make the meat tough.
- Like experimenting in the kitchen like I do? Go ahead and play around with different seasoning variations to customize the meatballs according to your taste and preferences.
what to serve with air fryer meatballs
- Classic spaghetti and meatballs: Serve the meatballs over a bed of al dente spaghetti, topped with some hearty marinara sauce and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.
- Meatball subs: Load these juicy meatballs onto a soft sub roll, slather with your favorite sauce, and add melted cheese for a mouthwatering sandwich.
- Casseroles - add the meatballs to casseroles, top with some tomato sauce and cheese, then bake.
- Salads - If you, like us, love your salads, then enjoy them with some tasty kale salad with walnuts, Jamaican coleslaw, German green bean salad, salad Shirazi, or your preferred salads!
- Serve them as an appetizer: Serve the meatballs as bite-sized appetizers with toothpicks, accompanied by some pili pili sauce, ketchup, honey mustard sauce, cilantro chimichurri, or your favourite sauces.
refrigerating and freezing
- Refrigeration: If you have any leftovers (which is rare because they're so delicious), store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.
- Freezing: the good thing is that they are also freezable. I always like to make a big batch, which I then freeze. To freeze the raw meatballs, arrange them on a lined baking tray and freeze for 1-2 hours. Transfer them to freezer-safe bags, label these with best-by dates, and freeze them for up to 3 months. The cooked meatballs can also be frozen. Just keep them in suitable airtight containers for up to three months.
- To use from frozen, simply thaw in the fridge and reheat in the microwave, stovetop, oven, or air fryer, at 374°F (190°C) for 5-10 minutes, or until warmed through!
Great news, you have made it this far which means you probably made or are making this ninja air fryer meatballs recipe! It would go a long way if you could leave a ⭐rating on the recipe card or comment in the comments section below.
Feel free to follow me on my social channels! Tag me @weeatatlast (formerly paleolowcarbkate) on Instagram, pin it on Pinterest, or like my Facebook for the latest updates! Don't forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel or Newsletter for regular recipe notifications!
📖 Recipe
Ninja Air Fryer Meatballs
Video
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- ⅔ cup milk (or plant milk, if preferred)
- 1 lb ground beef- minced meat (or ground meat of choice - approximately 500 g)
- ¼ medium-sized onion (finely minced)
- 2 cloves garlic (finely minced)
- 1½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley (fresh or dry)
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon red chili flakes (optional)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper (or more, to taste)
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the breadcrumbs and milk. Let them sit for a few minutes to allow the breadcrumbs to absorb the liquid.½ cup breadcrumbs, ⅔ cup milk
- Preheat your air fryer at 190°C/ 374°F.
- Add the ground meat, minced onion, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, chopped parsley, dried basil, red chili flakes (if desired), salt, and black pepper to the bowl. Using your hands or a spoon, gently mix all the ingredients until well combined. Avoid overmixing, as it can make the meatballs tough.1 lb ground beef- minced meat, ¼ medium-sized onion, 1½ teaspoon Italian seasoning, 1 tablespoon chopped parsley, 1 teaspoon dried basil, ½ teaspoon red chili flakes, 1 teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, 2 cloves garlic
- Using your hands or a cookie scoop, shape the mixture into meatballs of your desired size, ensuring they are evenly sized for even cooking (see notes).
- Place the meatballs in a single layer, inside your air frying basket making sure to leave some space between them for proper air circulation.
- Air fry the meatballs at 375°F (190°C) for about 10-12 minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of at least 165°F (73.9°C). Flip them halfway through the cooking process for even browning.
- Once done, remove the meatballs from the air fryer and let them rest for 3-5 minutes before serving.
- Serve your ninja air fryer meatballs with marinara, or your preferred sauces, or side dishes.
Notes
- For added moisture and tenderness, soak the breadcrumbs in milk before incorporating them into the meat mixture.
- Using a regular spoon, or a cookie scoop ensures that the meatballs are evenly sized. Scoop out about two tablespoons per meatballs.
- Grease your hands with oil as you shape the meatballs to prevent them from sticking.
- For even cooking, do not stack the meatballs on top of each other.
Leave a Reply