When it comes to creating a quick, delicious, and healthy meal, Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs are an absolute winner. These meatballs are the perfect combination of tender, juicy, and flavorful, with a golden, crispy exterior that is sure to satisfy your taste buds. Not only do they cook up in under 20 minutes, but they also pack in all the goodness of lean ground turkey, aromatic shallots, and the rich, creamy texture of cottage cheese. Whether you’re preparing them as a hearty entrée or a crowd-pleasing appetizer, these turkey meatballs will quickly become a favorite in your kitchen.
PrintAir Fryer Turkey Meatballs: Tender, Juicy, and Flavorful
Say hello to your new favorite weeknight dinner—Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs! 🍽️🔥 These meatballs are perfectly crispy on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside, and loaded with savory flavor. 🦃💥 Whether you’re serving them over pasta, on a sub, or with a dipping sauce, these meatballs will leave everyone craving more. 😋 Plus, they’re made in the air fryer for an easy, healthier option that doesn’t compromise on taste! 😍
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- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil – This adds a touch of richness and helps sauté the shallots and garlic to enhance their flavors.
- 1 minced shallot (about ½ cup) – Shallots are a milder, sweeter alternative to onions, giving the meatballs a lovely aromatic base.
- 2 minced garlic cloves – Garlic adds a savory depth of flavor that complements the turkey perfectly.
- 1 pound ground turkey – Lean ground turkey is the star of this recipe. It’s a healthier alternative to beef or pork and keeps the meatballs light while still providing a satisfying texture.
- ½ cup cottage cheese, strained – Cottage cheese adds moisture and richness without making the meatballs greasy. It also helps bind the ingredients together.
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt – Essential for enhancing the flavors of all the ingredients.
- ½ teaspoon black pepper – Black pepper adds a mild heat and balances the flavors.
Instructions
Step 1: Sauté the Shallots and Garlic
Start by placing a pan over medium heat. Once the pan is hot, add the olive oil and swirl it around to coat the bottom. Then, add the minced shallot and garlic to the pan. Sauté the shallots and garlic for about 2 to 3 minutes, or until they soften and become fragrant. The shallots should turn translucent, and the garlic will release its delicious aroma.
Once done, remove the pan from the heat and set it aside to cool for a few minutes. This allows the shallots and garlic to cool down before adding them to the meat mixture.
Step 2: Mix the Meatball Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground turkey, sautéed shallots and garlic, strained cottage cheese, salt, and pepper. Use your hands or a spoon to mix everything together until fully combined. The cottage cheese should be evenly distributed, and the mixture should come together without being too sticky.
The turkey meat should be moist thanks to the cottage cheese, which will help prevent the meatballs from being dry after cooking. If the mixture feels too wet or too dry, you can add a small amount of breadcrumbs or a little extra cottage cheese to get the right texture.
Step 3: Shape the Meatballs
Once the meat mixture is well combined, it’s time to form the meatballs. Take about 2 tablespoons of the mixture and roll it between your hands to form a ball. Repeat this process until all the meat mixture is used up. You should end up with about 12 meatballs, depending on the size.
Be sure to make them evenly sized so they cook uniformly in the air fryer. If you have a melon baller or a cookie scoop, those tools can help make this process even easier and more consistent.
Step 4: Preheat the Air Fryer
While you’re shaping the meatballs, preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Preheating ensures that the meatballs will cook evenly and gives them that nice, crispy exterior.
Step 5: Air Fry the Meatballs
Once the air fryer is preheated, lightly grease the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent the meatballs from sticking. Place the meatballs in the basket in a single layer, leaving a little bit of space between each one. This allows the hot air to circulate properly, ensuring an even cook.
If your air fryer basket is small, you may need to cook the meatballs in two batches to avoid overcrowding. Lightly spray the tops of the meatballs with cooking spray to help them crisp up even more during cooking.
Air fry the meatballs at 400°F for about 10 minutes, or until they are cooked through and have reached an internal temperature of 165°F. You may want to check the meatballs halfway through and flip them over to ensure they cook evenly on all sides.
Step 6: Let the Meatballs Rest
Once the meatballs are done cooking, remove them from the air fryer and let them rest for a few minutes. This helps them firm up and makes them easier to serve. The crispy exterior will stay intact while the inside remains juicy and tender.
Notes
- Ground turkey: If you don’t have ground turkey, you can use ground chicken, lean ground beef, or even a plant-based meat substitute. Just keep in mind that the flavor and texture may vary slightly.
- Cottage cheese: If you’re not a fan of cottage cheese, you can substitute it with ricotta cheese or even cream cheese for a creamier texture. Greek yogurt can also be used for a lighter alternative.
- Shallots: If you don’t have shallots, finely diced onions will work well. You can also use green onions or even leeks for a slightly different flavor.
- Seasoning: Feel free to experiment with the seasonings. Add dried herbs like oregano, basil, or thyme, or even a pinch of red pepper flakes for some heat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
The beauty of these air fryer turkey meatballs lies in their simplicity and ease. With minimal prep time and basic ingredients that you likely already have in your kitchen, you can have a dish that’s not only tasty but also relatively healthy. Perfect for busy weeknights, weekend gatherings, or meal prepping for the week, this dish will make your cooking experience both enjoyable and satisfying.
The air fryer brings out the best in these turkey meatballs by creating a crispy, golden crust while keeping the inside incredibly tender and juicy. It’s a fantastic way to prepare meatballs without the need for deep frying or turning on your oven. So, let’s dive into this simple yet flavorful recipe that will surely become a staple in your meal rotation.
Ingredients
To make these Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil – This adds a touch of richness and helps sauté the shallots and garlic to enhance their flavors.
- 1 minced shallot (about ½ cup) – Shallots are a milder, sweeter alternative to onions, giving the meatballs a lovely aromatic base.
- 2 minced garlic cloves – Garlic adds a savory depth of flavor that complements the turkey perfectly.
- 1 pound ground turkey – Lean ground turkey is the star of this recipe. It’s a healthier alternative to beef or pork and keeps the meatballs light while still providing a satisfying texture.
- ½ cup cottage cheese, strained – Cottage cheese adds moisture and richness without making the meatballs greasy. It also helps bind the ingredients together.
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt – Essential for enhancing the flavors of all the ingredients.
- ½ teaspoon black pepper – Black pepper adds a mild heat and balances the flavors.
These ingredients combine to create the perfect balance of savory, aromatic, and creamy flavors, making these meatballs a truly enjoyable dish.
Equipment Needed
Before you get started, make sure you have the following kitchen equipment on hand:
- 1 air fryer – The key to achieving that perfectly crispy texture without the need for deep frying. If you don’t have an air fryer yet, this recipe is a great excuse to invest in one!
- 1 medium-sized pan – For sautéing the shallots and garlic before mixing them into the turkey mixture.
- 1 mixing bowl – To combine all of your ingredients into a cohesive meatball mixture.
- Cooking spray – For lightly greasing the air fryer basket and ensuring the meatballs don’t stick.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Now that you have all your ingredients and equipment ready, let’s dive into the step-by-step process for making these mouthwatering Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs.
Step 1: Sauté the Shallots and Garlic
Start by placing a pan over medium heat. Once the pan is hot, add the olive oil and swirl it around to coat the bottom. Then, add the minced shallot and garlic to the pan. Sauté the shallots and garlic for about 2 to 3 minutes, or until they soften and become fragrant. The shallots should turn translucent, and the garlic will release its delicious aroma.
Once done, remove the pan from the heat and set it aside to cool for a few minutes. This allows the shallots and garlic to cool down before adding them to the meat mixture.
Step 2: Mix the Meatball Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground turkey, sautéed shallots and garlic, strained cottage cheese, salt, and pepper. Use your hands or a spoon to mix everything together until fully combined. The cottage cheese should be evenly distributed, and the mixture should come together without being too sticky.
The turkey meat should be moist thanks to the cottage cheese, which will help prevent the meatballs from being dry after cooking. If the mixture feels too wet or too dry, you can add a small amount of breadcrumbs or a little extra cottage cheese to get the right texture.
Step 3: Shape the Meatballs
Once the meat mixture is well combined, it’s time to form the meatballs. Take about 2 tablespoons of the mixture and roll it between your hands to form a ball. Repeat this process until all the meat mixture is used up. You should end up with about 12 meatballs, depending on the size.
Be sure to make them evenly sized so they cook uniformly in the air fryer. If you have a melon baller or a cookie scoop, those tools can help make this process even easier and more consistent.
Step 4: Preheat the Air Fryer
While you’re shaping the meatballs, preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Preheating ensures that the meatballs will cook evenly and gives them that nice, crispy exterior.
Step 5: Air Fry the Meatballs
Once the air fryer is preheated, lightly grease the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent the meatballs from sticking. Place the meatballs in the basket in a single layer, leaving a little bit of space between each one. This allows the hot air to circulate properly, ensuring an even cook.
If your air fryer basket is small, you may need to cook the meatballs in two batches to avoid overcrowding. Lightly spray the tops of the meatballs with cooking spray to help them crisp up even more during cooking.
Air fry the meatballs at 400°F for about 10 minutes, or until they are cooked through and have reached an internal temperature of 165°F. You may want to check the meatballs halfway through and flip them over to ensure they cook evenly on all sides.
Step 6: Let the Meatballs Rest
Once the meatballs are done cooking, remove them from the air fryer and let them rest for a few minutes. This helps them firm up and makes them easier to serve. The crispy exterior will stay intact while the inside remains juicy and tender.
Flavor, Texture, and Aroma
As soon as you pull these meatballs out of the air fryer, you’ll notice the irresistible aroma filling the air. The garlic and shallots create a savory scent that complements the lean turkey perfectly. The slight sweetness of the shallots contrasts beautifully with the richness of the cottage cheese, which keeps the meatballs incredibly moist. The exterior of the meatballs is golden and crispy, thanks to the air fryer, while the inside remains juicy and tender.
When you bite into one of these meatballs, you’ll experience a delightful combination of textures. The crispy, slightly crunchy outside gives way to a soft, moist interior that melts in your mouth. The turkey flavor is mild but delicious, and the cottage cheese adds a richness that takes these meatballs to the next level.
Ingredient Substitutions
While this recipe is already delicious as is, there are several ingredient substitutions you can make to suit your dietary preferences or to use up what you have in your pantry:
- Ground turkey: If you don’t have ground turkey, you can use ground chicken, lean ground beef, or even a plant-based meat substitute. Just keep in mind that the flavor and texture may vary slightly.
- Cottage cheese: If you’re not a fan of cottage cheese, you can substitute it with ricotta cheese or even cream cheese for a creamier texture. Greek yogurt can also be used for a lighter alternative.
- Shallots: If you don’t have shallots, finely diced onions will work well. You can also use green onions or even leeks for a slightly different flavor.
- Seasoning: Feel free to experiment with the seasonings. Add dried herbs like oregano, basil, or thyme, or even a pinch of red pepper flakes for some heat.
Variations
For a fun twist on these Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs, consider the following variations:
- Cheese-stuffed meatballs: Before rolling the meatballs, stuff them with a small cube of mozzarella or your favorite cheese. When cooked, the cheese will melt inside, creating a delicious, gooey center.
- Asian-inspired meatballs: Add a tablespoon of soy sauce, some grated ginger, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds to the mixture for an Asian twist. Serve with a drizzle of teriyaki sauce or a side of dipping sauce.
- Spicy meatballs: For some heat, add chopped jalapeños or red pepper flakes to the mixture. You can also serve them with a spicy dipping sauce like sriracha mayo.
Serving Suggestions
These Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs are incredibly versatile and can be served in many ways. Here are a few serving suggestions to inspire you:
- As an appetizer: Serve them with a variety of dipping sauces, such as marinara, ranch dressing, or tzatziki sauce. They’re perfect for parties, game day, or any casual get-together.
- As a main dish: Serve the meatballs with a side of roasted vegetables or a fresh salad for a healthy, well-rounded meal. You can also pair them with pasta or rice for a more filling dish.
- In a sub sandwich: Stuff the meatballs into a soft sub roll and top with marinara sauce and melted mozzarella cheese for a delicious meatball sub.
- For meal prep: These meatballs are great for meal prep. Make a big batch and store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat them in the air fryer or microwave for a quick and easy meal.
Conclusion
These Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs are a perfect example of how simple ingredients can come together to create something truly special. With minimal effort, you can prepare a dish that’s full of flavor and satisfying textures. The air fryer makes the cooking process quick and easy, while still delivering that crispy exterior and juicy interior that everyone loves. Whether you’re serving them as a snack, appetizer, or main course, these turkey meatballs will be a hit every time. Enjoy the process of making them, and savor the delightful results!