Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs are packed with flavor and are so quick and easy. These meatballs are done in 30 minutes and are so delicious the whole family will love them!
If you want some more great air fryer sides, try my zucchini fries in air fryer and these Air Fryer Radishes
SAVE THIS RECIPE!
Enter your email below and we’ll send this recipe straight to your inbox.
Why this Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs Recipe is a Keeper
I love this recipe because it’s a quick and easy dinner that also happens to be super delicious! You will definitely want to add this one to your stash of easy dinner recipes.
- 30 Minute Meal: This air fryer turkey recipes quick and easy!
- Easy Ingredients: Turkey meatballs in air fryer uses common ingredients you often have on hand.
- Family Favorite: Everyone in the family loves it, making it a go-to meal.
- Meatballs Make Great Leftovers: The leftovers are just as good! You can easily morph these into Meatball Subs.
- Great for Beginner Cooks: Air fryer chicken, turkey or beef meatballs are approachable for both beginner and experienced cooks. Store these turkey meatballs in an airtight container
- Versatile: This new recipe can be easily customized to suit different tastes..
Why Are my Meatballs Dry when I cook meatballs in the Air Fryer?
Your meatballs could be dry if you used too may cracker crumbs. Add a little more milk to help add some moisture back into the air fried turkey meatballs.
Ingredient Notes for this Air Fryer Recipe
You will need just a few super simple ingredients to make this recipe. They’re all easy to find at the store, but you may even have some of the ingredients in your kitchen already.
- Ground Turkey: Lean ground turkey breast is great for making these meatballs, and for making turkey burgers.
- Saltines: Saltines will act as the “glue” that makes sure the meatballs won’t fall apart while being made in the air fryer.
See the recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.
Prep Ahead Suggestions for Meatballs in the Air Fryer
Prepping ahead of time can really help to save you time and kitchen space if you’re hosting a party!
- Pre-Form the Meatballs: Mix all the meatball ingredients together and form the meatballs. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze overnight. Transfer frozen meatballs in an airtight container.
Special Equipment Needed for Air Fried Turkey Meatballs
When you make a recipe, sometimes there’s a step that can go much faster with the right piece of kitchen equipment!
- Food Processor: To crush the crackers a little faster, use a food processor!
Recipe Tip to Cook Meatballs
Don’t Overcrowd the Basket: This ensures even cooking and prevents the meatballs from steaming.
How to Make Turkey Meatballs in the Air Fryer
This recipe comes together in 3 easy to follow steps. If you’re a fan of meatballs, this is a recipe that you will come back to again and again!
These are the basic steps for making Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs. Refer to the full, printable recipe card below for detailed instructions. Flip the meatballs to insure when the meatballs are cooking.
1. Prepare Ingredients
In a small bowl, combine the cracker crumbs and milk. In another large bowl, add the ground turkey, onion, garlic, eggs, parmesan, Worcestershire, All Purpose Seasoning, Italian Seasoning Substitute and red pepper flakes.
2. Form Meatballs from the Turkey Mixture
Add soaked cracker crumbs to the meat mixture. Use your hands to gently combine ground turkey mix until just combined. Be careful not to over-mix the meat.
3. Spray Air Fryer Basket, Preheat the Air Fryer and Cook the Meatballs
Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees and spray the air fryer basket with non-stick spray or line with parchment paper. Place the meatballs in a single layer in the basket. Turn the heat down to 380℉ and air fry for 12-14 minutes.
How to Store, Reheat and Use Leftovers Air Fryer Meatballs Recipe
- Storing: Turkey meatballs can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Reheating: Reheat air fryer meatballs in the microwave for 1-2 minutes. You can also add the meatballs in the air fryer for 3-5 minutes.
- Using Leftovers: Enjoy leftover meatballs for lunch in the upcoming days! Try homemade turkey meatballs with Marinara Sauce and parmesan cheese.
Variations and Substitutions to Make Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs
This appetizer recipe is super easy to customize to make it your own! Try taking it to the next level by trying other ingredients and experimenting with flavors.
- Different Crackers: Try this recipe using different crackers like …. or you can use breadcrumbs, like panko.
- Egg Substitute: If you need an egg substitute, you can use liquid egg from the grocery store or applesauce!
- Different Milk: Use whatever milk you like! Try lean ground turkey meatballs made with almond milk or rice milk.
Ground Turkey Meatball Recipe FAQs
Serve turkey meatballs with Lil Smokies Pigs in a Blanket, Bacon Wrapped Tater Tots or Champagne Candied Grapes.
Yes! Try making these meatballs using ground chicken, ground beef or ground pork. Using ground turkey can be great when trying to stay under budget.
Yes! Freeze air fried meatballs in a freezer bag or airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, or add the frozen meatballs to the air fryer. Increase the cook time if cooking from frozen.
Expert Tips for Making This Appetizer Recipe
- This Recipe Can be Doubled: This delicious recipe for air fryer turkey meatballs is great to bring to party as an appetizer. Double or triple this recipe by increasing the ingredients proportionally and cooking in batches.
- Oven: If you don’t own an air fryer, you can also bake these in the oven at 350℉ for 20-22 minutes. Make sure you’re flipping halfway so they don’t stick.
- Meal Prep: This a great recipe to meal prep to have a protein to add to your dishes through out the week.
- Serve with Pasta: Serve meatballs with spaghetti and marinara sauce or your favorite pasta sauce. You can also free with zucchini noodles for a gluten-free alternative.
- Fresh Herbs: Oregano or basil really enhances this dish.
- Doneness: Air fry until the meatballs reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F, as cooking time depends on the size of the meatballs.
Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs
SAVE THIS RECIPE!
Enter your email and we’ll send this recipe to your inbox.
Ingredients
- 35 Saltine crackers, crushed into fine crumbs
- ½ cup Milk
- 2 pounds Ground turkey
- ¼ cup Onion, grated
- 3 cloves Garlic, finely minced
- 2 Eggs
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- ½ cup Fresh parsley, minced
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 ½ teaspoons All Purpose Seasoning Blend
- 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning Substitute
- ¼ teaspoon Crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the cracker crumbs and milk; Stir to combine and set aside.
- In a large bowl, add the ground turkey, grated onion, minced garlic, eggs, parmesan cheese, Worcestershire sauce, All Purpose Seasoning Blend, Italian Seasoning Substitute and red pepper flakes.
- Add soaked cracker crumbs to the meat mixture.
- Using your hands, carefully mix the meat until just combined. Be careful not to over-mix the meat.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400℉.
- Spray air fryer basket with non-stick cooking spray or line with parchment paper. Arrange meatballs in a single layer in the prepared basket.
- Turn the heat down to 380℉ and air fryer for 12-14 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the meatballs reaches 165℉.
Christina’s Notes
- This Recipe Can be Doubled: This recipe for air fryer turkey meatballs is great to bring to party as an appetizer. Double or triple this recipe by increasing the ingredients proportionally and cooking in batches.
- Oven: If you don’t own an air fryer, you can also bake these in the oven at 350℉ for 20-22 minutes. Make sure you’re flipping halfway so they don’t stick.
- Meal Prep: This a great recipe to meal prep to have a protein to add to your dishes through out the week.
- Serve with Pasta: Serve meatballs with spaghetti and marinara sauce or your favorite pasta sauce. You can also free with zucchini noodles for a gluten-free alternative.
- Fresh Herbs: Oregano or basil really enhances this dish.
- Doneness: Air fry until the meatballs reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F, as cooking time depends on the size of the meatballs.
- Scale the recipe: Simply adjust the serving size in the recipe card and the ingredients will update automatically.
- Make your own All Purpose Seasoning: When a recipe calls for All Purpose Seasoning, you can use my homemade All Purpose Seasoning recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
- Meat doneness: I always use a meat thermometer to test for doneness when cooking meat.
- Use unsalted butter: I use unsalted butter so I can control the salt level in the recipe.
- Preheat the oven: Unless otherwise noted, always preheat your oven before baking.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, check out the blog post.
these turkey meatballs sound perfect! If I were to use breadcrumbs instead of saltine crackers, how much would I use for the recipe? Thank you!
It would be about 1 1/4 cup.