Can I use ground turkey instead of chicken in this Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan Meatballs Recipe?

Absolutely! Ground turkey works well as a substitute. Just be sure to handle the mixture gently to avoid dryness, and you might want to add a bit more oil or cheese for extra moisture.

What’s the best way to prevent the meatballs from sticking to the air fryer basket?

I find that lining the basket with foil or parchment paper helps a lot. You can also lightly spray the basket with cooking oil before placing the meatballs. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup so much easier.

How do I know when the meatballs are fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. It should reach 165°F for safe poultry consumption. If you don’t have one, cut open a meatball—juices should run clear and there should be no pink inside.

Can I make the meatballs ahead of time and freeze them?

Yes! After shaping the meatballs, freeze them on a tray until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. When ready, cook them straight from frozen in the air fryer—just add a few extra minutes to the cooking time.

Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan Meatballs

Description

Delicious and easy Air Fryer Chicken Meatballs with Parmesan, seasoned with garlic, onion, paprika, and fresh parsley. Perfectly cooked in the air fryer for a healthy and quick meal or appetizer.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

1 pound ground chicken
1 egg
½ cup breadcrumbs (panko or regular)
3 tbsp grated parmesan cheese
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp paprika
½ tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
1 tbsp dried parsley or 2 tbsp fresh parsley

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Mix ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine ground chicken, egg, breadcrumbs, grated parmesan cheese, olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, black pepper, and parsley until everything is well mixed.
Shape meatballs: Take a heaping tablespoon of the mixture and roll it into a ball. Place the shaped meatballs on a parchment-lined sheet. You should get about 24 meatballs.
Preheat air fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line the air fryer basket with foil or spray it with cooking oil to prevent sticking.
Air fry meatballs: Place the meatballs in the air fryer basket without overcrowding. Cook them for 10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until browned and cooked through. Check that the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Cook remaining batches and warm: Remove cooked meatballs, then repeat with remaining batches. Once all are cooked, you can place all meatballs back in the air fryer to warm for a few minutes before serving.
Serve: Serve the meatballs hot with your favorite marinara sauce or dipping sauce of choice.

Notes

Store cooked meatballs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days; reheat in the microwave.
Freeze uncooked meatballs on a parchment-lined sheet, then transfer to a ziplock bag to freeze for up to 3 months.
To cook from frozen, air fry meatballs for about 12 minutes until heated through.
Using panko breadcrumbs gives a lighter texture, but regular breadcrumbs also work.
Fresh parsley adds a brighter flavor; dried parsley is a convenient substitute.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving (4 meatballs)
Calories: 211 kcal
Sugar: 1 g
Sodium: 350 mg
Fat: 12.3 g
Saturated Fat: 3.4 g
Unsaturated Fat: 7.5 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 5.5 g
Fiber: 0.3 g
Protein: 20.4 g
Cholesterol: 85 mg