From-scratch Air Fryer Meatballs

Craving homemade meatballs? If so, here is our go-to air fryer meatbal ls recipe. This is a ground beef and sausage meatball that offers tons of flavor and a juicy finished product. Whip these air fried meatballs up for dinner or grab some toothpicks and serve up as an appetizer.

No matter how you choose to serve the meatballs they will be a treat. You can pair with your usual dipping sauce, or smother in pasta sauce for a satisfying meal.

You can make these meatballs in a classic air fryer, Ninja Foodi, Ninja Foodi Grill, or even the Instant Pot Duo Crisp. All devices will have the same cooking process just alter steps if need be depending on the air fryer you are using.

These Air Fryer Meatballs Are

• Made with ground beef and sausage
• Homemade meatball recipe
• Air fried to a crispy outside and juicy center
• 7 ingredients needed

Ingredients You Need

Ground Beef and Sausage – we used a mix of meat as the pork helps to add flavor but also ensures your meatballs are juicy. You can of course do turkey in replace of beef.

Oats – Now some love breadcrumbs for meatballs, but we made these with some quick oats.

Milk – You can use regular milk or a milk replacement for this recipe.

Onion – Yellow or a white onion are best for this recipe. Red onions are too strong in terms of flavor, is what we have found.

Salt – Season to taste.

Worcestershire Sauce – This helps to add a kick of flavor to the meatballs. It is a great addition to the recipe for sure.

How to Make

Step One: In a bowl add your ground beef, sausage, oats, milk, onions, salt, and Worcestershire. Mix well making sure it is fully combined.

Step Two: Let the meat mixture sit for 10 minutes. This is a step you don’t want to miss. The milk and oats will all soak up.

Step Three: Next, you will roll your meatballs into either 1 inch or 2 inch sized balls.

Step Four: Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees for 5 minutes. Then after the 5 minutes place your meatballs in the air fryer for 10 minutes or 20 minutes if you do 2-inch meatballs.

Step Five: For every 5 minutes, shake the basket, or rotate the meatballs to ensure they are cooking evenly and they don’t overcook.

Once the meat is fully cooked.

Variations to Recipe

Seasonings – Feel free to add any seasonings you want to your meatballs. If you like Italian style go for it. Or want more of a BBQ meatball add in some steak seasoning or a BBQ blend of spices. Get creative with your spices.

Breadcrumbs – You are more than welcome to swap oats for breadcrumbs. Just use the same amount as the oats. Then if you find the mixture is too wet add more crumbs, or to dry add a splash of milk.

Cheese – Add in a cube of cheese in the center, then wrap the meat all the way around the cheese making sure it won’t ooze out as it cooks. Then you will have a stuffed meatball.

How to Serve Up These Juicy Meatballs

• A great air fryer appetizer if you are hosting a party or event. Set out dipping sauces for guests to pick from.
• Pair with a tomato or pasta sauce and make spaghetti and meatballs.
• Open a hoagie and pile on a few meatballs, pasta sauce, cheese and broil in oven for a meatball sub sandwich.
• Use slider buns to make mini meatball sandwiches.
• And More.

Storing Leftovers

If you happen to not eat all the meatballs right away, just store them in the fridge for around 3-4 days. Then you can warm them in the microwave, air fryer, or even a classic oven. Just heat until the meatballs are warmed through.

Freezing Meatballs

We will share both ways on how you can freeze cooked or raw meatballs for meal prepping later. Whether you do them as Ninja Foodi meatballs, air fryer oven, or Duo crisp, cook the same.

Freezing Raw

1. Place your meatballs on a cooking tray that is lined with parchment paper or wax paper. Place in the freezer and freeze till hardened. Do a single layer to prevent sticking.
2. Then place meatballs in a freezer container.
3. Freeze for 2-3 months.
4. To reheat, you will place frozen meatballs in air fryer frozen or let them thaw in the fridge overnight. If frozen you will add time to your cook time, and cook until the meatballs are fully cooked.

Freezing Pre-Cooked

1. Place meatballs on a baking sheet just as the raw, and flash freeze for an hour in a single layer.
2. Place in the proper container and freeze for 2-3 months.
3. To eat you can warm up from frozen, or thaw in the fridge overnight.
4. Warm in the microwave, air fryer, or even oven.

Practical notes

Is it better to bake or fry homemade meatballs?

You will find that air frying or baking allows your meatballs to break down the fat, leaving you with a nice juicy meatball.

Why are our meatballs tough?

Make sure to not form your balls by pressing them together too hard. Otherwise, you can cause your meatballs to become tough. Another thing is over cooking can dry out and make meatballs tough.

What is the secret to good meatballs?

Mixing ground beef and sausage is a great way to add stand out flavor, and leave you with a juicy meatball. Make sure to mix lightly with your hand, and don’t press the meat too hard together.

How long to air fry meatballs?

If your meatballs are around 1 inch in size aim for 10-12 minutes. If the balls are more like 2 inch then aim for 15-18 minutes. You will want your internal temperature to 165 degrees internally. We recommend using a meat thermometer.

Ingredients

Makes 20 -24

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1/2 pound sausage
• 1 cup milk
• 3/4 cup quick oatmeal
• 3 tablespoons onions, diced finely
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper

Equipment

• Mixing Bowls
• Cookie Scoop Set
• Air Fryer XL

Method

1. Start by adding your ground beef, sausage, oats, milk, onion, salt and pepper, and Worcestershire sauce.
2. Mix well and then let the mixture rest for 10 minutes.
3. With a cookie scoop 1 inch or 2 inch size, begin rolling meatballs into balls and place on a baking sheet or tray.
4. Preheat your oven to 350 for 5 minutes.
5. Carefully place the meatballs in a single layer and cook for 10-12 minutes for 1 inch size meatballs. Or 15-17 minutes for 2 inch size meatballs.
6. You need to shake or rotate the meatballs every 5 minutes. Cook until internal temperature reads 165 degrees.
7. Once the air fryer meatballs are done, remove and serve with a dipping sauce, pasta sauce, etc.

Kitchen notes

Meat

– You can swap the pork with turkey if you want. We find the sausage adds a lot of flavor and juicy texture to the meatballs. Seasonings – Change up how you season the meatballs if you would like. Storing – You can store meatballs for 3-4 days in the fridge. Or you can freeze for 2-3 months. Cooking Time – All air fryers heat slightly different, and depending on the size of your balls the cook time will vary. So make sure to go with the internal temperature.