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A close-up shot of baked turkey meatballs simmering in a savory sauce in a white skillet, garnished with fresh parsley.

Flavorful Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs

These tender, juicy turkey meatballs are packed with aromatic herbs and cooked to perfection in an air fryer, making them a quick and healthy weeknight dinner solution. Serve them with pasta, in a sub, or as a protein-rich snack!
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 14 minutes
Total Time 29 minutes
Servings: 20 pieces
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Mediterranean-inspired
Calories: 250
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Turkey Meatballs
  • 1.25 lbs ground turkey lean (93/7 or 99/1)
  • 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs plain
  • 1 large egg lightly beaten
  • 1/4 cup yellow onion finely grated (about 1/4 of a medium onion)
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper freshly ground
  • 1 tbsp olive oil for brushing meatballs

Equipment

  • Air Fryer
  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • Measuring Spoons
  • Measuring Cups
  • Meat Thermometer

Method
 

Prepare the Meatball Mixture
  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground turkey, panko breadcrumbs, lightly beaten egg, finely grated yellow onion, minced garlic, chopped fresh parsley, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper.
  2. Gently mix all ingredients with your hands until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the meatballs tough.
  3. Form the mixture into approximately 20 meatballs, each about 1.5 inches in diameter (roughly the size of a golf ball). You can use a small cookie scoop for uniformity.
Air Fry the Turkey Meatballs
  1. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3-5 minutes. Lightly brush the meatballs with olive oil.
  2. Arrange the meatballs in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don't touch. You will likely need to cook them in two batches, depending on your air fryer size.
  3. Air fry for 12-14 minutes, flipping them halfway through cooking (at about 6-7 minutes), until they are golden brown and cooked through.
  4. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C) when checked with a meat thermometer.
  5. Remove the cooked meatballs from the air fryer and serve immediately, or set aside to add to your favorite sauce.

Notes

For an extra layer of flavor, you can add 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese to the meatball mixture. These turkey meatballs are excellent served with marinara sauce over pasta, in a sub roll, alongside roasted vegetables, or even as a simple appetizer with a dipping sauce. Store leftover meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. They can also be frozen for up to 3 months. Reheat gently in the microwave, oven, or air fryer.