My Grandson’s Favorite Meatballs
My grandson Leo loves these meatballs. He calls them his “power balls.” I still laugh at that. He asks for them every Sunday. We make them together now.
They are the best air fryer meatballs. The air fryer makes them so juicy. It locks in all the good flavors. These are truly juicy turkey meatballs. Doesn’t that smell amazing while they cook?
Why This Recipe Works
This is one of my easy air fryer recipes. It comes together fast. That makes it perfect for quick dinner ideas. You just mix and shape. The air fryer does the rest.
Using your hands to mix matters. It connects you to your food. You feel the texture. You know when it’s just right. Also, these are healthy turkey meatballs. Turkey is lighter than beef. But it is still full of flavor.
A Little Secret for Flavor
My secret is the tomato paste. Just one tablespoon. It adds a rich, sweet depth. You whisk it with the egg first. It might look a little lumpy. That is perfectly okay.
*Fun fact: The parmesan cheese adds a salty, savory taste. It also helps keep the meatballs tender. No one will guess these are low carb turkey meatballs. They are just delicious. What’s your secret ingredient for meatballs?
Perfect for Busy Days
I make a double batch every time. These are wonderful meal prep recipes. I cool them and freeze some. On a busy night, I just reheat a few. Dinner is ready in minutes.
This matters for a happy home. A good meal should not cause stress. Having healthy food ready keeps everyone smiling. Do you like to meal prep for your week?
Making Them for Everyone
These are gluten free meatballs. I use simple gluten-free breadcrumbs. My friend Anna needs to eat gluten-free. She was so happy she could eat these. Now they are a family favorite recipe in her house too.
Good food brings people together. It does not leave anyone out. That is the heart of cooking. I hope you try these air fryer turkey meatballs. Will you make them for someone you love this week?
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ground turkey | 1 lb | |
| Egg | 1 large | |
| Gluten-free breadcrumbs | 1/4 cup | |
| Grated parmesan cheese | 1/4 cup | |
| Tomato paste | 1 tbsp | |
| Garlic | 1 clove | grated |
| Fresh parsley | 1/4 cup | chopped |
| Black pepper | 1 tsp | |
| Sea salt | 1/4 tsp |
Instructions
Step 1: Grab your big bowl. Crack in the egg and add the tomato paste. Give it a good whisk with a fork. Don’t worry if the paste is a little lumpy. It will all come together soon, I promise. This is the start of your best air fryer meatballs.
Step 2: Now, add everything else. That’s the turkey, breadcrumbs, cheese, garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper. Time to use your clean hands. Mix it gently until it’s just combined. (Over-mixing makes tough healthy turkey meatballs!). Can you guess why we use our hands? It gives us better control, doesn’t it? Share below!
Step 3: Roll the mixture into little balls. I make mine about the size of a walnut. You should get around 15. This is perfect for meal prep recipes. Seeing them all lined up makes me so happy. It reminds me of my grandkids making mud pies, but much tastier!
Step 4: Preheat your air fryer to 425°F. Give the basket a quick spray with oil. Arrange your air fryer turkey meatballs in one layer. Give the tops a little spritz too. This helps them get that lovely, golden color. These are such easy air fryer recipes for busy nights.
Step 5: Cook for 14 minutes. Flip them halfway through. Doesn’t that smell amazing? When they’re golden and cooked, they’re done. You’ve just made juicy turkey meatballs! Let them rest for a minute. This keeps all those delicious juices inside.
Creative Twists
Swap parsley for fresh basil. It gives a lovely, herby summer flavor. Add a pinch of red pepper flakes. This gives your family favorite recipes a little warm kick. Use the meatball mix to make tiny sliders. Perfect for little hands and quick dinner ideas. Which one would you try first? Comment below!Serving & Pairing Ideas
For a cozy meal, pile them on zucchini noodles with warm marinara. This keeps them as low carb turkey meatballs. They’re also wonderful tucked into a soft sub roll for a hearty sandwich. For a simple plate, serve with a big green salad and extra Parmesan. These gluten free meatballs are so versatile. Which would you choose tonight?
Making Your Meatballs Last
Let’s talk about keeping your healthy turkey meatballs tasty for later. Cool them completely first. Then, store them in the fridge for up to four days. For longer storage, freeze them on a tray. Once frozen, pop them into a bag. They’ll keep for three months this way.
Reheating is simple. Use your air fryer at 350° for a few minutes. This brings back their crispy outside. I remember my first big batch of meatballs. I put them in the fridge while warm. They got soggy! Now I always let them cool. This keeps them perfect for meal prep recipes.
Batch cooking these easy air fryer recipes saves your week. It means a quick, good dinner is always ready. This matters because it gives you more time with family. Have you ever tried storing them this way? Share below!
Little Fixes for Big Flavor
Even the best cooks face small problems. Here are three common ones with fixes. First, dry meatballs. The fix is simple. Do not over-mix your meat. Just combine everything gently with your hands.
Second, meatballs falling apart. Make sure your mixture is cold before shaping. Chilling helps them hold together. I once used warm meat. My meatballs spread out like pancakes in the pan!
Third, bland flavor. Do not skip the tomato paste and garlic. They add deep, savory notes. Getting these right builds your cooking confidence. It also turns good food into family favorite recipes. Which of these problems have you run into before?
Your Quick Questions, Answered
How to make turkey meatballs in air fryer not dry?
Keep your air fryer turkey meatballs juicy. Do not over-mix the ground turkey. Over-mixing makes them tough. Use ingredients with moisture like tomato paste and an egg. A fun fact: tomato paste adds flavor and helps bind. Cook them just until done. Check with a meat thermometer for 165°F inside. Let them rest for a minute after cooking.
Can you cook raw meatballs in sauce in air fryer?
I do not recommend it for best air fryer meatballs. The air fryer works by circulating hot air. Sauce blocks that air. Your meatballs will steam, not crisp. They may also get soggy. For saucy meatballs, cook them plain in the air fryer first. Then, warm them in your marinara sauce on the stove. This keeps the texture perfect.
Best breadcrumbs for juicy turkey meatballs?
For gluten free meatballs, use gluten-free breadcrumbs. Panko-style gives a light texture. Regular fine breadcrumbs also work well. The breadcrumbs soak up juices from the egg and turkey. This helps create juicy turkey meatballs. You can use whole wheat for more fiber. The key is not to use too much. Just a quarter cup is enough for binding.
Air fryer turkey meatballs temperature and time?
Preheat your air fryer to 425°F. This high heat is key for a nice sear. Cook your meatballs for about 14 minutes. Flip them halfway through. Always check that the inside reaches 165°F. Sizes can vary. This method makes for quick dinner ideas. It gives you a crispy outside and a fully cooked, tender inside every time.
How to keep turkey meatballs from falling apart in air fryer?
Chill your shaped meatballs for 15 minutes before cooking. A cold start helps them set. Do not skip the egg and breadcrumbs. They are binders. Handle the mixture gently when shaping. Press them firmly but do not pack them too tight. These steps ensure your low carb turkey meatballs stay together. You will get perfect rounds every time.
Healthy turkey meatball recipe air fryer with marinara?
This recipe is a winner for healthy turkey meatballs. Use lean ground turkey. Add Parmesan for flavor without much fat. The air fryer needs little oil, keeping them light. Serve with a simple marinara sauce. Look for sauce with no added sugar. This creates a balanced, delicious meal. It is one of my favorite easy air fryer recipes for busy nights. Which tip will you try first?
From My Kitchen to Yours
I hope you love making these meatballs as much as I do. They are a regular at my family table. Cooking should be fun and shared. Tell me about your cooking adventure in the comments. I read every one. Have you tried this recipe? Let me know how it turned out for you.
Happy cooking!
—Elena Rutherford
Juicy Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs in Marinara
Description
Best Ever Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs. Juicy, flavorful, and easy to make with simple ingredients.
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine 1 egg and 1 tbsp of tomato paste, use a fork to whisk the egg and begin to combine the tomato paste (it will not fully breakdown yet, that is ok!) Add ground turkey, bread crumbs, parsley, grated garlic, parmesan, salt and pepper.
- Using your hands, mix ingredients well, but do not over mix. Shape mixture into 1 1/2 inch balls – you should have about 15 meatballs.
- Preheat air-fryer to 425° – I use a convection oven air fryer and am able to fit all meatballs at once, if you use a basket air fryer you will need to cook in batches!
- Spray the bottom of the air fryer basket with avocado oil and arrange the meatballs in a single layer on the tray. Add a small spritz of avocado oil on top of meatballs.
- Air-fry for 14 minutes, flipping half-way through cook time.
Notes
- Oven Notes – To bake in the oven, arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake at 425° for 12-14 minutes or until cooked through.