These juicy and flavorful meatballs are a breeze in your air fryer, delivering a delicious and healthy meal that’ll have you returning for seconds.
No more meatball monotony—experience the magic of air frying with this delectable dish.
Notes: We are currently in the development and testing stage for this turkey meatballs recipe air fryer. Stay tuned for more updates. If you have any tips on making this dish even better, please leave us a comment below. We appreciate your input!
Happy frying!

Table of Contents
Ingredients for air fryer turkey meatballs
Here are all you need to make easy air fried turkey meatballs.
- Ground turkey
- Italian-style breadcrumbs
- Milk
- Fresh parsley
- Onion
- Egg
- Garlic
- Salt and pepper
- Avocado oil (for spraying)
✦ You can find the exact measurements of the recipe ingredients and customize the serving size in the recipe card after the detailed step-by-step instructions section.
Substitutes
If you’re out of Italian-style breadcrumbs, regular breadcrumbs seasoned with a teaspoon of Italian seasoning can do the trick.
Use fresh ingredients instead of dried ones. Doing so will naturally increase the water content within the meatball mixture, resulting in irresistibly juicy meatballs.
Recipe Video
Here’s a video of a similar recipe that we’re going for.
How to Cook Turkey Meatballs in an Air Fryer?
This recipe is perfect for all amateur home cooks out there, and it’s so convenient you’ll wonder why you didn’t try it sooner. Let’s dive in and get cooking!
Get ready to roll up your sleeves and dive into this fantastic recipe!
Step 1: Preheat your air fryer to 400ºF (204ºC).

If your air fryer doesn’t have a preheating option, set your desired temperature then let it cook for 5 minutes without food.
🚨 Important: Reduce the cooking temperature to 380°F (193°C) if you’re using a 4-quart air fryer or smaller. They are hotter due to the heating element being closer to the food.
Step 2: Prepare ingredients.
First, grab a large bowl and crack open the egg, lightly beating it to perfection. This large bowl will be your trusty mixing station for crafting the mouthwatering turkey meatballs.
Now:
Finely chop fresh parsley to infuse your meatballs with fresh herbal goodness. Next, the onion and garlic—give them a good mincing to release their delightful flavors into the mix.
With all your ingredients prepped and ready, it’s time to bring it together.
Place the ground turkey into the large bowl with the egg, and then add the parsley, onion, and garlic. Add the milk, breadcrumbs, salt, and pepper too. Mix everything together (by hand) until all the flavors harmonize into a tantalizing blend.
Grease your hands with a little cooking spray to prevent sticking, then scoop a tablespoon of the mixture and roll it into a meatball. Repeat this process until you’ve used all the meat.
Step 3: Air fry the turkey meatballs for 10 – 12 minutes at 400ºF (204ºC).
Place the turkey meatballs in air fryer, ensuring they’re not touching each other. Then, spray avocado oil to help achieve that perfect golden brown color.
Air fry at 400ºF (204ºC) for 10 – 12 minutes, flipping them halfway through to ensure even cooking.
You’ll know they’re done when they reach an internal temperature of 165ºF (74ºC). Add more cooking time if they don’t reach the safe temperature.
You might have to cook by batch depending on your air fryer’s size and how many meatballs you made.
Step 4: Serve & Enjoy!

Once cooked to perfection, serve your air fried turkey meatballs with your favorite sauce for dipping or as a topping for pasta, salad, or a sub sandwich.
Feel free to get creative with your pairings! These tender and flavorful meatballs are an absolute delight. And remember to take a moment to appreciate your air fryer for making this fantastic meal possible.
You might also like this air fryer turkey burger recipe.
What to Serve with Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs?
- Zesty Marinara Sauce: Nothing complements succulent turkey meatballs like a tangy and rich marinara sauce. The bright flavors of tomatoes, garlic, and herbs perfectly balance the savory meatballs, creating a match in culinary heaven.
- Refreshing Greek Salad: Elevate your meal with a refreshing Greek salad featuring crisp cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, briny olives, and creamy feta cheese. The light and fresh flavors of the salad beautifully complement the heartiness of the turkey meatballs, making for a satisfying and well-rounded feast.
- Garlic Butter Pasta: For the ultimate comfort food pairing, serve your turkey meatballs air fryer atop a bed of buttery, garlic-infused pasta. The rich and velvety sauce envelops the meatballs, creating a symphony of flavors that will leave you craving more.
Freezing & Storage
Fridge: Got leftovers? No worries! You can store these air fried turkey meatballs in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat them in your air fryer at 350ºF (177ºC) for 5 – 7 minutes or until warmed through.
Freezing: If you’re thinking of meal prep, these meatballs freeze well too! Simply place the cooked turkey meatballs in an airtight container or freezer bag and freeze for up to 2 months. Make sure to let them cook to room temperature before freezing.
To cook from frozen, pop them in the air fryer at 400ºF (204ºC) for 12 – 15 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Air fry your turkey meatballs for 10 – 12 minutes at 400ºF (204ºC). Flip them halfway through to ensure even cooking. The meatballs will be ready when their internal temperature reaches 165ºF (74ºC).
Yes, you can air fry turkey meatballs. It’s quick, convenient, and produces perfectly cooked meatballs with a crispy exterior. Just follow our easy recipe and savor the deliciousness of these meatballs!

This ingredients checklist is interactive; you can use it as your grocery list.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1/4 cup Italian-style breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley finely chopped
- 1/4 cup onion minced
- 1 large egg lightly beaten
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Avocado oil for spraying
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400ºF (204ºC) for 5 minutes.
- Create the meat mixture. Combine the ground turkey, Italian-style breadcrumbs, milk, chopped parsley, minced onion, beaten egg, minced garlic, salt, and pepper in a large mixing bowl. Mix everything together by hand until well combined.
- Form the meatballs. Lightly grease your hands with cooking spray. Scoop about a tablespoon of the turkey mixture and roll it into a ball, repeating this process until you've used all the mixture.
- Air fry turkey meatballs. Place the meatballs in the air fryer, ensuring they're not touching each other. Spray with avocado oil. Cook the meatballs at 400ºF (204ºC) for 10 – 12 minutes, flipping halfway for even cooking. Before serving, check that the internal temperature has reached 165ºF (74ºC).
- Serve & enjoy! Pair your delicious air fried turkey meatballs with your favorite sauce or on a bed of pasta or salad. They're perfect for a quick and tasty meal!
Nutrition
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