Italian Meatballs In The Air Fryer

Making Italian Meatballs in the Air Fryer results in meatballs that are tender and juicy on the inside, and golden brown on the outside! They’re loaded with so much flavor and ready in 10 minutes! This air fryer meatballs recipe is low-carb, gluten-free and perfect for meal-prepping along with some zucchini noodles or your favorite pasta! 

This post has been updated since its original publish date in July 2021.

Jump to:

• The Best Meatball Recipe!
• Why You'll Love This Recipe
• Ingredients for Italian Meatballs in the Air Fryer
• How to Make Italian Meatballs in the Air Fryer
• Tips to Make the Best Air Fried Meatballs
• Storing and Reheating:
• Can You Freeze Italian Meatballs?
• What to Serve with Air Fryer Italian Meatballs
• More Delicious Meatball Recipes:
• Air Fryer Italian Meatballs

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The Best Meatball Recipe!

One of my favorite things to enjoy as a meal is meatballs. I love meat and yummy flavorful recipes!

I also love that they are so versatile… they can be put in a sub roll, over pasta, in lettuce wraps over zucchini noodles, or just straight up as an appetizer right from the pan. So many great options!

AND since I love them so much I have a bunch of different recipes for many unique and tasty flavor options on the blog… like my French Onion Meatballs, Meal Prep Turkey Meatballs, Salisbury Steak Meatballs, Buffalo Chicken Meatballs, Asian meatballs, and of course the traditional Italian Baked Meatballs. 

Today we’re talking about Italian Meatballs in the Air Fryer. Tons of flavor without all the oil and grease. Brilliant – right!?

You can also bake them in the oven if you don’t have an air fryer. It’s pretty easy and they turn out just as tender and delicious.

There are so many reasons to love this air fryer meatball recipe – let me break it down for you…

Why You'll Love This Recipe

These Air Fryer Italian Meatballs are a must-try for many reasons:

• Quick: They cook fast… even faster than baking! Mine were ready in 7-10 minutes, but that will depend on the size and how many you are cooking at one time.  7 minutes for one layer and if you add a wire rack and cook double the amount it takes about 10 minutes.
• Easy: They’re super easy to make! There’s no turning or flipping - just form your meatballs and cook them in the air fryer.
• Healthier Option: The meatballs are tender and moist and the air fryer gives them a crispy texture of fried meatballs without the extra oil and calories. Just use a spritz of cooking spray and your good to go!
• Low-carb and Gluten-Free: Not only do they have less calories but they are also low-carb and gluten-free as long as you use almond flour or almond meal instead of breadcrumbs.
• Packed with Flavor: With classic Italian seasonings and grated parmesan cheese, these meatballs are bursting with flavor.
• Great for Meal Prep: They are perfect for meal prepping! This recipes makes 40 meatballs so they are perfect for eating for dinner or lunches throughout the week. Or freeze some now and enjoy the rest later.
• Effortless Clean Up: Because these meatballs are contained in the air fryer while cooking, clean up is super easy.

Ingredients for Italian Meatballs in the Air Fryer

• Ground Beef: You can also use ground turkey or ground chicken for a slightly lighter take on these air fried meatballs.
• Parmesan Cheese: The salt, nutty, buttery taste of Parmesan cheese adds a really nice flavor to the meatballs.
• Almond Meal (or Alomond Flour: Almond meal or flour is my go-to swap for breadcrumbs to keep the recipe low-carb and gluten-free. You can use bread crumbs of you prefer.
• Eggs: The eggs bind all the ingredients together and keep the meatballs from falling apart.
• Onion and Garlic: Hello, more amazing flavor!
• Fresh Parsley: Herbs add a fresh and bright flavor to any dish.
• Seasonings: A simple blend of Italian seasoning with salt and pepper are all you need for perfectly seasoned air fryer Italian meatballs!
• Marinara Sauce: Feel free to use your favorite storebought mariana sauce or make your own with my homemade marinara sauce recipe.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Mozzarella's creaminess and mild flavor complements this air fryer meatball recipe.

I'm excited for you to try this Italian meatball recipe! You going to be a pro "baller" in no time! Here's how the magic happens...

How to Make Italian Meatballs in the Air Fryer

Preheat the air fryer to 390 degrees.

I get so excited about these little flavor bombs that are so easy to make. They require little effort with a BIG reward!

Tips to Make the Best Air Fried Meatballs

• What is the secret of a tender meatball? Avoid over-mixing the ingredients! This produces tougher meatballs. Many people find that mixing the ingredients with your hands is the best way to combine all ingredients without over-processing the meat.
• For a low-carb and gluten- free version, use almond meal or almond flour instead of breadcrumbs. I do this in every one of my meatball recipes.
• Preheat the Air Fryer! This will cut down on the cook time.
• If you’re cooking for a smaller crowd, you can just cut the recipe quantities in half for a smaller batch.
• If you want you can use both ground pork and ground beef just use a pound of each (instead of 2 pounds of beef). This combination of beef and pork (and often veal) is actually truer to an “authentic” Italian meatball recipe.

Storing and Reheating:

Can You Freeze Italian Meatballs?

Yessss! They freeze perfectly.

• I love having homemade meatballs in the freezer — they are so perfect for adding to some marinara sauce on the stove, or stir fry for a quick weeknight meal!
• To freeze, bake them until they’re cooked through and allow them to cool for 15-20 minutes at room temperature.
• Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze them. Then transfer them to a resealable freezer bag or container for storing. Be sure to squeeze out all the air before sealing them completely. Label them and toss them in the freezer. They’ll be good for up to 3 months.
• When you’re ready to serve them, just put the amount you want in the fridge to thaw overnight, or throw them right from frozen into whatever sauce you have simmering on the stove. Heat them through completely, and enjoy.

There are so many ways to enjoy these Air Fryer Italian Meatballs! Here are some of my favorites…

What to Serve with Air Fryer Italian Meatballs

• My favorite way to enjoy these meatballs is in my Hearty Homemade Marinara Sauce.... and covered in some mozzarella or Parmesan cheese.  Mmm – so good.
• They are perfect over some zoodles or spaghetti squash for a tasty low-carb meal.
• Over your favorite pasta or in a sub roll – yummy!
• You can keep them low-carb and serve them over some yummy Mashed Cauliflower.
• Over an Arugula Salad.
• You could serve them with some Cheesy Kale Mashed Potatoes.
• One of my favorite ways to enjoy them is with Cheesy Parmesan Polenta.
• And there's always my dreamy creamy Parmesan Risotto.

You’re going to love this easy and delicious air fryer meatball recipe. 

The meatballs come out so tender and flavorful.  Cooked up in no time at all without any of the grease and oil – meatball perfection my friend!

More Delicious Meatball Recipes:

• Spinach Feta Chicken Meatballs
• Veal Piccata Baked Meatballs
• Creamy Parmesan Mushroom Turkey Meatballs
• Lamb Meatballs with Tzatziki