Description
These juicy air fryer meatballs from scratch with parsley are simply the best meatball recipe you can find anywhere! Making meatballs from scratch in the air fryer saves time, energy, and calories! Then you will end up with healthy meatballs that are super tasty, juicy, tender, easily freezable, and a crowd-pleaser. Say no to store-bought meatballs; easily make your meatball recipe with healthier ingredients and freeze them afterward. Add these meatballs to marinara sauce and serve with spaghetti and any pasta of choice.
Ingredients
- 2 ½ (2.5) pounds of (80%, 20% fat) ground meat
- 1 lb. Italian sausage (mild)
- 1/3 cup of ground oats; (take some old-fashioned oats and make ground oats by blending them)
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1/3 cup parmesan (tipping)
- 2 eggs
- ¼ cup water
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil (I used EVOO)
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 2 teaspoons of Knorr Bouillon seasoning powder
- 1 tablespoon of onion powder
- 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon of ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon of ground spicy chili pepper/cayenne pepper (optional; or little spicy kick)
- 1 teaspoon of dry thyme leaves
Instructions
- Step 1: Add all the ingredients into a big bowl. Add all the ingredients (ground meat, sausage, ground oats, parsley, eggs, parmesan, salt, pepper, bouillon seasoning, dry thyme, garlic powder, onion powder, olive oil, and water) into a big bowl. There isn’t a particular order as to how to do this.
- Step 2: Combine the meatball ingredients. Gently combine the meatball ingredients into a big ball; do not over-mix. However, ensure that everything mixes well.
- Step 3: Form the meatball into small balls. I typically use a 1-tablespoon scoop to measure my meatballs. You can use a 2-tablespoon scoop or even a 1/4-cup scoop. The bottom line is to ensure equal balls. This way, they cook evenly. Please note that your cooking time may change if your meatballs are bigger than mine. I suggest using a meat thermometer to ensure they thoroughly cook. Place formed meatballs on a lined cookie sheet; I suggest forming all the meatballs before you start air frying them because the air frying part happens quickly.
- Step 4: Place Meatballs in the Air Fryer. First, set the air fryer to 9 minutes at 350F, then preheat. Place the formed meatballs in an air fryer basket after it finishes preheating. Place on single layer.
- Step 5: Air Fry the Meatballs. Air fry the meatballs for 9 minutes without turning. Add more time if needed; ensure to cook your meatballs thoroughly and equally, not to overcook them. You can use a meat thermometer to check for doneness. This recipe made about 75 – 80 one-tablespoon-sized meatballs.
Notes
Preheat the air fryer; however, you can make these without preheating the air fryer.
Ensure to form the meatballs into equal sizes for even cooking.
Refrain from overcooking the meatballs; they may become tough and unpleasant.
Properly wash your hands before combining the ingredients, or wear gloves.
If using ground oats, blend old-fashioned oats yourself, lol. I have never tried store-bought ground oats with this recipe.
Do not overcrowd the air fryer.
This recipe doesn’t require oil spray because it has enough fat!
If possible, form all the meatballs before you start air frying because the air frying part is the quickest and happens very fast! I typically place them on the cookie sheet as I form them.
Here’s my homemade tomato sauce recipe that I typically add these meatballs to.
This is my air fryer, I have used it three years and counting. 🙂
