By Becky Hardin
Updated Oct 1, 2025
My air fryer makes the most flavorful, juicy meatballs ever. They’re quick and simple to whip up, which makes them one of my go-to recipes when I need something easy but satisfying. I love how versatile they are, too—I can serve them as a fun, bite-sized appetizer when we’re entertaining, or pair them with pasta, rice, or veggies for a hearty main dish. No matter how I serve them, they always disappear fast, and I find myself coming back to this recipe again and again.
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Easy Air Fryer Meatballs Recipe
If I had to pick just one kitchen appliance to keep forever, it would be my air fryer. I use it constantly, and honestly, it’s a game-changer for the way I cook. Meatballs especially—oh my goodness—making them in the air fryer could not be easier. Every time I make a batch, they come out perfectly juicy, packed with flavor, and the best part? They take hardly any effort at all.
I love how versatile they are, too. Sometimes I serve them as fun little finger foods for the family to snack on, and other times I’ll toss them in marinara sauce and pile them over pasta for an easy, comforting dinner. They’re also amazing as the star of the plate with just a couple of sides.
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 1 lb. ground beef
- ▢ 1 lb. ground pork lamb or Italian sausage also works
- ▢ 1 cup breadcrumbs
- ▢ 4 cloves garlic minced
- ▢ 1 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
- ▢ 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
- ▢ 2 large eggs
- ▢ 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Spray the air fryer basket with non-stick cooking spray.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients. 1 lb. ground beef, 1 lb. ground pork, 1 cup breadcrumbs, 4 cloves garlic, 1 tbsp fresh parsley, 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning, 2 large eggs, 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- Using clean, dry hands, work the mixture together until well combined. Try not to compact it too much—you want it mixed, but not smashed.
- Form into 1” spheres using a 2 tbsp cookie scoop, and then cook in batches at 400°F for 14 minutes per batch. If the meat is sticking to your hands, drizzle it with olive oil. This will help crisp the outside of the meatball and prevent it from sticking to your hands. Use a meat thermometer to ensure that the meatballs reach at least 145°F.
- Enjoy with pasta or as an appetizer.
Equipment
- Air Fryer (click for my favorite)
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Air Fryer Meatballs Step by Step
Gather your ingredients and prep the air fryer: Spray the air fryer basket with non-stick cooking spray.
Prepare the meatballs : In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 lb. ground beef, 1 lb. ground pork, 1 cup breadcrumbs, 4 cloves garlic, 1 tbsp fresh parsley, 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning, 2 large eggs, and 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce.
Combine mixture: Using clean, dry hands, work the mixture together until everything is well combined. Try not to compact it too much; it should be mixed, but not smashed.
Form balls and cook: Use a 2 tbsp cookie scoop to form the meat mixture into 1” spheres. Cook in batches at 400°F for 14 minutes per batch. If the meat is sticking to your hands, drizzle it with olive oil. This will help crisp the outside of the meatball and prevent it from sticking to your hands. Use a meat thermometer to ensure that the meatballs reach at least 145°F.
Serve: Enjoy with pasta or as an appetizer.
How to Store
These air fryer meatballs are so great for meal prep. You can make the mixture and roll it into balls, and keep it covered in the fridge for 1 to 2 days until you are ready to cook.
Cooked meatballs will keep well in the fridge for up to 5 days. They can be tossed in a hot pasta sauce to serve, or reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for around 3 minutes til warmed through.
Cooked meatballs will keep frozen for up to 4 months. They can be added frozen into a hot pasta sauce and thawed that way, or you can reheat from frozen in your air fryer at 350°F for about 10 minutes.
Serving Suggestions
Though I love eating these air fryer meatballs over a bowl of spaghetti, I sometimes serve them as a main dish with a cucumber onion salad and a side of twice baked potatoes . For dessert, I find that apple crumble finishes off the meal well.
Air Fryer Meatballs Recipe
Equipment
- Air Fryer (click for my favorite)
Ingredients
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 1 lb. ground pork lamb or Italian sausage also works
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
- 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Spray the air fryer basket with non-stick cooking spray.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients. 1 lb. ground beef, 1 lb. ground pork, 1 cup breadcrumbs, 4 cloves garlic, 1 tbsp fresh parsley, 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning, 2 large eggs, 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- Using clean, dry hands, work the mixture together until well combined. Try not to compact it too much—you want it mixed, but not smashed.
- Form into 1” spheres using a 2 tbsp cookie scoop, and then cook in batches at 400°F for 14 minutes per batch. If the meat is sticking to your hands, drizzle it with olive oil. This will help crisp the outside of the meatball and prevent it from sticking to your hands. Use a meat thermometer to ensure that the meatballs reach at least 145°F.
- Enjoy with pasta or as an appetizer.
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
