Air Fryer Meatballs (Lamb or Beef)
Whether you make them with lamb or beef, these homemade Air Fryer Meatballs have a moist and juicy interior and a perfectly crispy exterior.
Ingredients
- 500 g ground beef or lamb (minimum of 20% fat content)
- 1 medium onion (grated)
- 1 small egg
- 2 cloves garlic (finely chopped)
- 20 g breadcrumbs
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- ½ tsp paprika
- ¼ tsp chili flakes
- 2 tbsp chopped parsley
Instructions
- To prepare the meatball mixture, combine all ingredients in a large bowl and mix thoroughly for at least 5 minutes, or until it achieves a nice, soft texture that slightly sticks to your hand.
- Shape the mixture into 14-16 equally-sized meatballs using the palm of your hands. Dampen your palm with a bit of water to prevent the meatballs from sticking.
- Arrange them in your air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they do not overlap. If your air fryer basket isn't large enough to accommodate all of them, do it in batches.
- Preheat your air fryer to 356°F (180°C) and cook your meatballs for 14-15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C), flipping them halfway through.
Notes
- For flavorful and juicy meatballs, opt for freshly ground meat containing at least 20% fat content.
- Allow your meatball mixture to rest for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to blend together.
- When shaping the meatballs, dampen your palm with a bit of water to prevent the meatballs from sticking to your hand.
- Ensure that the meatballs are of similar size for even cooking.
- Don't overcrowd your air fryer basket, do it in batches if necessary.
- Air fryer cooking times vary, so adjust and ensure the internal temperature reaches 74°C (165°F) with a meat thermometer.