The exact cook time can vary. Read below for our tips!
Looking for a tasty meaty appetizer that is sure to please? Air fryer turkey meatballs are a great option!
Easy to make and on the leaner side, these simple meatballs definitely do not lack flavor!
Recipe Tips
Before you make these turkey meatballs in the air fryer, read through the recipe tips so that you know what to expect!
- The spice blend in these turkey meatballs is simple but delicious. Of course, you can always add or subtract something if you like. For example, cayenne pepper can give these meatballs a bit of a kick!
- We use unseasoned Italian breadcrumbs for these meatballs. You can also use panko breadcrumbs but we would recommend crushing them a little bit first.
- It should be easy to form the meatballs with your hands. If it isn’t add a few more breadcrumbs to the mixture and try again.
- Try making the meatballs roughly the same size so that they are done cooking at the same time. If you have trouble with that, you could use a small ice cream scoop or similar to help you measure.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer when cooking the meatballs. It’s better to leave a little bit of space between them so that they can cook and brown evenly. Cook the meatballs in two batches if you can’t fit them all.
- You might also have frozen turkey meatballs – you can air fry them, too!
Step by Step Instructions
For the step-by-step instructions for how to make turkey meatballs in the air fryer, you can check out the recipe instructions with process photos in this section.
This way, you can see how we make our meatballs if you’ve never done it before.
For the recipe details without visuals, head to the recipe card at the bottom of this post!
Add the ground turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, chopped onion, chopped parsley, and spices to a bowl.
Then use your clean hands to mix everything together until the ingredients are well combined.
If the mixture still feels overly wet, add a few more breadcrumbs in small increments and re-mix.
Using the palms of your clean hands, form approximately 20 small turkey meatballs and set them aside on a clean, dry plate.
Try to form all the meatballs to a similar size so that they cook evenly in the air fryer.
Preheat your air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit.
Once the air fryer is hot, place half of the meatballs onto the tray leaving some space between them.
If you have a very large air fryer, you might also be able to cook all the turkey meatballs in one batch.
Cook the turkey meatballs for 12-15 minutes until browned on the outside and fully cooked through.
Gently shake the air fryer basket every 5 minutes to help with even cooking.
Since all air fryers are slightly different, your cook time might vary a bit. Also, larger meatballs will need longer to cook through fully.
Once cooked, remove the turkey meatballs and cook the second batch.
Place the meatballs into a serving bowl and sprinkle more chopped parsley on top (optional). Enjoy!
Storage Tips
If you have leftovers from your air-fried turkey meatballs you can store them in a sealed container in the fridge. Properly stored, they’ll last for 3-4 days – but because it’s meat, it’s better to eat them sooner rather than later.
To reheat these turkey meatballs, we’d recommend the air fryer to draw out the excess fridge moisture but the microwave will work, too!
Related Recipes
If you enjoyed these tasty meatballs, check out some other turkey and meat recipes you can make in the air fryer!
- Juicy Air Fryer Turkey Breast
- Homemade Air Fryer Beef Meatballs
- Air Fryer Turkey Burgers (Homemade)
- Homemade Juicy Hamburgers in the Air Fryer
- Air Fried Chicken Tenders (Homemade)
Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs
Ingredients
- 2 pounds lean ground turkey
- 4-6 tablespoons breadcrumbs, unseasoned
- 1 large egg
- 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Add the ground turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, chopped onion, chopped parsley, and spices to a bowl.
- Use your clean hands to mix everything together until the ingredients are well combined. If the mixture still feels overly wet, add a few more breadcrumbs in small increments and re-mix.
- Using the palms of your clean hands, form approximately 20 small turkey meatballs and set them aside on a clean, dry plate. Try to form all the meatballs to a similar size so that they cook evenly in the air fryer.
- Preheat your air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Once the air fryer is hot, place half of the meatballs onto the tray leaving some space between them. If you have a very large air fryer, you might also be able to cook all the turkey meatballs in one batch.
- Cook the turkey meatballs for 12-15 minutes until browned on the outside and fully cooked through. Gently shake the air fryer basket every 5 minutes to help with even cooking. Since all air fryers are slightly different, your cook time might vary a bit. Also, larger meatballs will need longer to cook through fully.
- Once cooked, remove the turkey meatballs and cook the second batch.
- Place the meatballs into a serving bowl and sprinkle more chopped parsley on top (optional). Enjoy!
Notes
- You can change up the seasoning to suit your personal preferences or add more salt, pepper, or garlic powder to the mixture if desired.
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.
