Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs – Versatile and Delicious

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Plump, tender, and oh-so-delicious Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs are a favorite in my house. I love that they’re easy to make in my air fryer, and ground turkey is an affordable choice. Plus, these tasty meatballs are loaded with flavor, but they’re neutral enough to add them to all your favorite dishes.

I use my air fryer all the time! I love that it’s a multi-purpose appliance, and I use it more than my oven. You can make these tasty and tender turkey meatballs in a basket or oven-style air fryer, and they’re so easy to make! 

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Perfect for meal prepping, I’ll often make a double batch to have enough for dinner and another meal. I freeze the extras, then just heat them before adding them to the sauce, or we just eat them plain – they’re that good!

These easy turkey meatballs in the air fryer are so versatile! I love adding them to different sauces and soups, and we’ll even eat them just as they are. I think they’re tastier than baked meatballs, and they cook so much faster, too!

Love meatballs? Try these Crock Pot Pineapple Meatballs!

Key Ingredients

For exact amounts needed see the recipe card below

Ground turkey – Look for lean ground turkey. Buy it on sale and keep a few packages in the freezer for quick weeknight meals.

Parsley – Fresh parsley works best in this recipe.

Onion – Finely chop the onion – or even grate it on a box grater – so that it cooks through.

Egg – A large egg.

Italian seasoning – Use your favorite blend.

labeled picture of air fryer turkey ingredients

Find More Air Fryer Recipes!

How to Make Air Fryer Ground Turkey Meatballs

1. Mix

Put all the ingredients in a mixing bowl. Make sure the onion and parsley are finely chopped. Mix all the ingredients by hand or with a large wooden spoon.

Scoop out about 2 tablespoons of the turkey mixture. Roll it between your hands into 1-inch balls.

2. Air Fry

air fryer turkey meatballs before cooking
Turkey meatballs before air frying

Place the healthy turkey meatballs into the air fryer basket or on the tray so that they’re not touching. You may need to work in batches, depending on the size of your air fryer. My 5.8 quart Cosori air fryer will hold 1 pound of meatballs.

air fryer turkey meatballs after cooking
Turkey meatballs after air frying

Air fry at 400 degrees F for 8-10 minutes.

How Do You Know When Meatballs are Cooked?

I always use a digital meat thermometer and insert it into the middle of a meatball. Turkey (and chicken) should be cooked to 165-F to be considered safe. If it isn’t done, cook it for another few minutes.

Serving Ideas

This turkey meatball recipe can be served so many different ways. Here are some of my favorites:

  • Loaded onto subs – meatball subs for dinner!
  • Added to soups.
  • Loaded onto pizzas.
  • Topped with all your favorite sauces like Marinara sauce, pesto or mushroom cream sauce.
  • Make a batch on Sunday and use them for meal prep throughout the week.
sliced turkey meatball with tomato sauce

Turkey Meatball Variations

You can easily change these delicious turkey meatballs’ flavor profile by changing a few ingredients. Here are some of my favorites:

  • Make them spicy! Add ½ tablespoon of crushed red pepper flakes to the mix.
  • Swap the Italian seasoning for Greek, Cajun, or even curry powder!
  • Mix in 2 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese to make them extra delicious!
  • Toss them in your favorite BBQ sauce and heat them through.

How to Store Leftovers

Leftover air-fried turkey meatballs can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Or, freeze them for another meal!

How To Freeze Meatballs

I love freezing extra turkey meatballs for quick dinners. To freeze them, I suggest putting them on a baking sheet and then into the freezer to freeze.

This way, the individual meatballs will freeze and then you can take out as many frozen meatballs as you want without having a whole clump of frozen meatballs to deal with.

turkey meatballs with a toothpick

FAQ

Are air fryer turkey meatballs gluten-free?

Yes, this recipe is gluten-free! No binders are needed – so no breadcrumbs! This recipe is also keto.

Can I cook frozen meatballs in the air fryer?

Yes, you can. I make these turkey meatballs ahead of time and freeze them. Then, I pop them into the air fryer at a lower temperature – about 350-F – until they’re heated through. The time to reheat will depend on the make and model of your air fryer.

Are air fryer turkey meatballs healthy?

Yes, they sure are! High in protein and low in fat, they are a healthy pick. It’s all the cheese and sauce you’ll want to put on top of them that adds the fat and calories. To keep these meatballs a part of a healthy meal, add them to low-fat sauces like marinara sauce.

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sliced air fryer turkey meatballs
5 from 1 vote

Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs

Published By Anne
Air fryer turkey meatballs are delicious and easy to make! These tasty meatballs are loaded with flavor, yet neutral enough to add to all your favorite dishes.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time15 minutes
Servings: 4
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Ingredients
 

  • 1 pound ground turkey
  • ¼ cup parsley chopped
  • ¼ cup onion finely chopped
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper

Instructions

  • Combine the turkey, parsley, onion, egg, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper in a medium bowl.
    1 pound ground turkey, ¼ cup parsley, ¼ cup onion, 1 egg, 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon pepper
  • Mix everything by hand or with a large spoon. Don't overmix, just combine the ingredients.
  • Scoop out 2 tablespoons of meat mixture. Roll them between your hands into round balls.
  • Put the meatballs in the air fryer in a single layer. Air fry at 400 degrees F for 8-10 minutes.
  • Use an instant read thermometer to check the internal temperature of the meatbals. They are done when they reach 165 degree F. If they aren't done air fry them for another 1-2 minutes.

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Nutrition Information

Calories: 152kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 103mg | Sodium: 367mg | Potassium: 404mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 426IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 38mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutrition facts are estimates.

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sliced air fryer turkey meatballs
anne

Hi, I’m Anne!

I love to cook and I want to share my recipes with you. I believe cooking should be approachable and fun, not a chore. I want to make simple recipes using everyday ingredients that you can make again and again, whether it is for a busy weeknight, a summer cookout or a special dessert. Read more...

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