The exact cook time can vary. Read below for our tips!
If you are looking for a way to make meatballs that are tender, juicy, and full of flavor, you should try air fryer chicken meatballs.
These meatballs are made with ground chicken, fresh parsley, and a few spices that give them a delicious taste and aroma.
You can enjoy these chicken meatballs as part of a meal, for example, serving them in tomato sauce over pasta. Or you can eat them as an appetizer or snack with a dipping sauce of your choice.
Ingredients
If you want to make these ground chicken meatballs in the air fryer, here are the ingredients that you will need!
- Ground/minced chicken – The main ingredient for the meatballs.
- Salt – Enhances the overall flavor of the meatballs. Adjust to taste.
- Ground coriander – Optional; adds a mild citrus flavor to the meatballs.
- Granulated garlic – Or garlic powder; for extra flavor.
- Oil – Such as olive oil, avocado oil, or canola oil. You can also use oil in a spray bottle if you have one.
- Parsley – Fresh chopped parsley.
- Parmesan cheese – Makes the meatballs more flavorful.
- Breadcrumbs – Either regular breadcrumbs or panko breadcrumbs.
- Egg – Acts as a binder for the meatballs.
Recipe Tips
Before you air fry these chicken meatballs, have a good read through these recipe tips so that you know what to expect!
- Feel free to adjust the seasonings to your personal taste.
- When forming the meatballs, make sure they are about the same size to ensure even cooking.
- You can make the meatballs smaller than 2 inches in diameter (which is what we did in this recipe). In this case, the cooking time will be slightly shorter, so keep an eye on the meatballs toward the end.
- Lightly brush or spray the meatballs with oil spray before air frying. This prevents sticking and helps them brown.
- You can line the air fryer basket with parchment paper for easier cleanup. However, keep in mind that it reduces the air circulation slightly and can prolong the cooking time a little bit.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer – the meatballs should not touch. Otherwise, they may not cook evenly.
- The exact cooking time can vary depending on your air fryer and the size of the meatballs. The internal temperature should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step by Step Instructions
In this section, we’ll show you how to cook chicken meatballs in the air fryer with visuals.
If you are a visual learner, seeing the recipe process photos may be helpful. This way you can follow along as you cook at home.
The recipe card with all the relevant cooking details is located at the bottom of this post.
Add the ground chicken, salt, coriander (optional), granulated garlic, parsley, Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, and egg to a mixing bowl.
Using your clean hands, mix until the ingredients are well combined.
Preheat the air fryer to 360 degrees Fahrenheit for about 5 minutes or until it indicates that it is preheated.
In the meantime, form the mixture into meatballs about 2 inches in diameter.
Brush or spray the air fryer basket with oil or line it with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
Then place the meatballs in the air fryer in a single layer and spray or brush them with oil (optional). They should not touch each other.
Cook at 360 degrees Fahrenheit for about 8 minutes.
Flip the meatballs over so that they can cook on the other side.
Then air fry for another 8 minutes or until cooked through and lightly browned. The internal temperature should be 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
The exact cooking time can vary depending on your air fryer and the size of the meatballs.
You can serve the meatballs as an appetizer or as part of a larger meal. If you like, you can simmer them in tomato sauce for about 5 minutes with the lid on.
For extra flavor, you can sprinkle some fresh herbs and parmesan cheese over the meatballs before serving. Enjoy!
Storage Tips
If you have leftover chicken meatballs, allow them to cool and then store them in a sealed container or wrapped in foil in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
In case you want to keep them for longer, you can also freeze them. Place them on a baking sheet (they should not touch each other) and freeze until solid.
Then store them in a freezer-safe container or bag. Properly stored, these frozen meatballs should keep for 2-3 months.
You can reheat the chicken meatballs in the air fryer for a few minutes at around 300 degrees Fahrenheit until they are heated through.
If you want to reheat frozen meatballs, they will take slightly longer.
Also, be mindful not to overcook them or they may dry out!
What to Serve With Air Fryer Chicken Meatballs
These air fryer chicken meatballs are versatile and delicious. Similar to turkey meatballs or beef/pork meatballs, you can serve them with different sauces and dips, such as tomato, mustard, barbecue, or cheese sauce.
You can also simmer them in your favorite tomato sauce for about 5 minutes with the lid on to make them juicier and more flavorful.
To make your meal more complete, you can serve them with sauce and a side of pasta, rice, salad, or bread.
These meatballs are also great as an appetizer or a snack (especially if you make them a smaller size). Just place them on a platter with some toothpicks and a dipping sauce and watch them disappear!
Related Recipes
For more great air fryer chicken recipes, have a look at these tasty creations and see which ones you want to try next!
- Air Fryer Chicken Breast
- Air Fried Chicken Bites
- Chicken Thighs in the Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Homemade Chicken Wings
- Chicken Kabobs in the Air Fryer
- Teriyaki Chicken Air Fried (Homemade)
Air Fryer Chicken Meatballs
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon coriander, ground (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 1 tablespoon oil, or oil spray
- 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped
- 3 tablespoons Parmesan cheese
- 3 tablespoons breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken and all the other ingredients except the olive oil. Mix with your clean hands until the ingredients are well combined.1 pound ground chicken, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon coriander, 1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic, 2 tablespoons parsley, 3 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, 3 tablespoons breadcrumbs, 1 egg
- Preheat the air fryer to 360 degrees Fahrenheit for about 5 minutes or until it indicates that it is preheated.
- In the meantime, form the mixture into meatballs about 2 inches in diameter.
- Brush or spray the air fryer basket with olive oil or line it with parchment paper for easy cleanup.1 tablespoon oil
- Place the meatballs in the air fryer in a single layer and spray or brush them with oil (optional). Cook at 360 degrees Fahrenheit for about 8 minutes.
- Flip the meatballs over and air fry for another 8 minutes or until cooked through and lightly browned. The internal temperature should be 165 degrees Fahrenheit. The exact cooking time can vary.
- Serve the meatballs as an appetizer or as part of a larger meal. If you like, you can simmer them in tomato sauce for about 5 minutes with the lid on.
- For extra flavor, you can sprinkle some fresh herbs and parmesan cheese over the meatballs before serving.
Notes
- Feel free to adjust the seasonings to your personal taste.
- When forming the meatballs, make sure they are about the same size.
- You can make the meatballs smaller than 2 inches in diameter. In this case, the cooking time will be slightly shorter, so keep an eye on them.
- Lightly brush or spray the meatballs with oil spray before air frying. This prevents sticking and helps them brown.
- You can line the air fryer basket with parchment paper for easier clean-up. Keep in mind, however, that it reduces air circulation and can increase the cooking time slightly.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer – the meatballs should not touch. Otherwise, they may not cook evenly.
- The exact cooking time can vary depending on your air fryer and the size of the meatballs.
Nutrition
This nutritional information has been estimated by an online nutrition calculator. It should only be seen as a rough calculation and not a replacement for professional dietary advice.
