Can I use ground turkey instead of chicken?

Absolutely! Ground turkey is a great substitute and works similarly in this Air Fryer Chicken Meatballs with Parmesan Recipe. Just watch the cooking time as turkey can vary in fat content.

How do I prevent meatballs from drying out?

To keep meatballs juicy, don’t overmix your ingredients and avoid cooking at a temperature too high or for too long. Using some olive oil and Parmesan cheese helps maintain moisture and flavor too.

Can I make these meatballs ahead of time?

Yes! Making them ahead is perfect. You can prepare and freeze the meatballs raw or cooked. If freezing raw, bake or air fry them from frozen by adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.

Air Fryer Chicken Meatballs with Parmesan

Description

These Air Fryer Chicken Meatballs with Parmesan are a quick and delicious protein-packed dish perfect for a wholesome snack or a main course. Juicy ground chicken is blended with flavorful spices, Parmesan cheese, and breadcrumbs, then air fried to a perfect golden brown with a tender inside. Serve them with marinara sauce for a classic Italian-inspired meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

1 pound ground chicken
1 egg
½ cup breadcrumbs (panko or regular)
3 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp paprika
½ tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
1 tbsp dried parsley or 2 tbsp fresh parsley

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Instructions

Mix Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine ground chicken, egg, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, olive oil, and parsley until the mixture is evenly blended.
Shape Meatballs: Using a heaping tablespoon, form the mixture into meatballs and place them on a parchment-lined sheet. This recipe yields about 24 meatballs.
Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line the air fryer basket with foil or spray it with cooking oil to prevent sticking.
Air Fry Meatballs: Arrange the meatballs in the basket without overcrowding. Air fry for 10 minutes, flipping halfway through to ensure even browning. Use a meat thermometer to check for an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Cook Additional Batches: Remove the cooked meatballs and air fry the remaining batches if necessary. Once all are cooked, you can reheat all the meatballs together in the air fryer for a few minutes before serving.
Serve: Serve warm with your favorite marinara sauce for dipping or a side dish.

Notes

Store cooked meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or air fryer.
Freeze raw or cooked meatballs by placing them on a parchment-lined tray, freezing individually, then transferring to a ziplock bag for up to 3 months.
To cook from frozen, air fry frozen meatballs at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 12 minutes until fully cooked through.
You can substitute ground chicken with ground turkey for a similar taste and texture.
Panko breadcrumbs help achieve a lighter texture but regular breadcrumbs work well too.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 4 meatballs
Calories: 211 kcal
Sugar: 1 g
Sodium: 350 mg
Fat: 12.3 g
Saturated Fat: 3.4 g
Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 5.5 g
Fiber: 0.3 g
Protein: 20.4 g
Cholesterol: 75 mg