Turkey Meatball Air Fryer Recipe
These Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs incorporate good fats like Greek yogurt and olive oil to ensure a juicy (never dry!) and flavorful result every time.
Make Turkey Meatballs in Air Fryer for a quick dinner!
If you’ve ever been disappointed with turkey meatballs, this is the recipe that will change your mind about them.
I know this because I have a friend who texts me at the start of every summer, asking how to make a turkey burger that isn’t dry. Every year, I tell him “you have to add fat and moisture.” It’s the same for turkey meatballs.
I know that the whole reason many people eat ground turkey instead of beef is because turkey has less fat and saturated fat. I get that, I do. But you simply can’t use super lean ground turkey and no additional fat or moisture, and then wonder why your burger or meatball is dry.
So, I like to think of it in terms of adding GOOD fat. Instead of relying on the saturated fat that beef would contain, I’m using 85% lean ground turkey, and adding good fat like olive oil, and moisture from Greek yogurt.
Not only does the yogurt add moisture to the meatball mixture, but the enzymes in the dairy help tenderize the turkey, which makes it more . . . tender . . . to eat.
My friend reports back that his turkey burgers are improved, and I’m confident you’ll feel the same way about your turkey meatballs, too.
Why you will love Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs
- A healthier option for meatballs. Enjoy the savory goodness of meatballs, with less cholesterol than beef or pork.
- Versatility. Serve them as an appetizer, on top of pasta, in a sandwich, or in a grain or rice bowl.
- Perfectly cooked. The air fryer gives you meatballs with a crispy exterior while keeping the insides juicy.
Turkey Meatballs (Air Fryer) Ingredients
- ground turkey – The star ingredient, offering a lean protein base. You can also use ground chicken here!
- panko breadcrumbs – helps bind the meatballs.
- milk – adds moisture.
- olive oil – helps prevent the meatballs from drying out.
- Greek yogurt – helps bind the meatballs, and the backbone of the sauce.
- garlic – adds savory depth of flavor.
- onion – provides an aromatic flavor that pairs well with turkey.
- dried oregano – infuses the meatballs with a Mediterranean flair.
- salt and pepper – for seasoning both the meatballs and the sauce.
- red pepper flakes – adds a subtle kick of heat without being overpowering.
- dill and mint – fresh herbs to infuse the sauce with a burst of freshness.
How to make Turkey Meatballs in Air Fryer
- STIR. In a large bowl, stir together the breadcrumbs, milk, oil and yogurt, and let this stand 5 minutes.
- ADD. Add the garlic, onion, oregano, salt, pepper and red pepper flakes to the breadcrumb mixture and stir until well combined.
- FORM. Add the turkey and stir (or mix with your hands) until just combined. Form the mixture into 24 meatballs.
- AIR FRY. If necessary, preheat your air fryer. Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray, and then, in batches, cook the meatballs 10 minutes or until lightly browned and internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.
- SAUCE. While the meatballs are cooking, make the yogurt sauce by stirring together the yogurt, dill, mint and salt and pepper.
Home Chef Tips for making this Turkey Meatball Recipe (Air Fryer method)
- Do not overmix the meatball mixture. Use your hands to gently combine the ingredients once you add the turkey, but don’t overdo it, or your meatballs will turn out tough.
- Cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer model, so keep your eye on the meatballs as they cook.
- To cook meatballs in a conventional oven, place meatballs on a rimmed baking pan coated with cooking spray and bake at 350 degrees F for 12 to 15 minutes or until internal temperature of meatballs reaches 165 degrees F.
How to use Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs
There are so many different ways to use this turkey meatball air fryer recipe. Some of my favorite ways include:
- SALAD – Toss the meatballs with a Mediterranean salad made with lettuce, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, olives and feta dressing.
- PASTA – Serve these meatballs on top of noodles with Greek yogurt pasta sauce!
- BOWL – Serve this turkey meatballs air fryer recipe in a bowl with hummus, chopped cucumbers or tomato, and rice or naan bread.
- FRIED RICE – If I have leftover meatballs, I’ll chop them up and use them to make my Greek rice, in place of chicken.
How do you keep meatballs from sticking to the air fryer?
Use nonstick cooking spray to coat the inside of the air fryer basket before adding the meatballs.
How to store Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs
Store any leftover air fried turkey meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Can you freeze Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs?
Yes! Place cooked meatballs in an airtight freezer-safe container, or freezer bag, and freeze for up to 3 months.
Turkey Meatball Air Fryer reheating instructions
Reheat air fryer turkey meatballs (thawed overnight if frozen) in the air fryer until they are warmed through.
Turkey Meatball Recipe (Air Fryer)
These Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs incorporate good fats like Greek yogurt and olive oil to ensure a juicy (never dry!) and flavorful result every time.
Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
- 2/3 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/3 cup minced white onion
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- Pinch red pepper flakes
- 1 pound 85% lean ground turkey
- Nonstick cooking spray
For the Yogurt Sauce:
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint
- Pinch of kosher salt and ground black pepper
Instructions
- Make the Meatballs: In large bowl, stir together breadcrumbs, milk, oil and yogurt. Let stand 5 minutes.
- Add garlic, onion, oregano, salt, pepper and red pepper flakes and stir until well combined.
- Add turkey and stir (or mix with hands) until just combined. Do not overmix. Using hands, gently form into 24 meatballs (each using about 1-1/2 tablespoons of meat mixture and ending up about 1-inch wide).
- If necessary, preheat or set air fryer to 400 degrees F. Spray air fryer basket with cooking spray. In batches, transfer meatballs to basket and cook 10 minutes or until lightly browned and internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F, turning once.
- Meanwhile, make Yogurt Sauce: In small bowl, stir together yogurt, dill, mint and salt and pepper.
- Serve meatballs with yogurt sauce.
Notes
Home Chef Tip: To cook meatballs in oven, preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray rimmed baking pan with cooking spray and place meatballs on pan. Bake meatballs 12 to 15 minutes or until lightly browned and internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 6 meatballs and 1/4 cup sauceAmount Per Serving: Calories: 438Total Fat: 22gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 123mgSodium: 831mgCarbohydrates: 20gFiber: 2gSugar: 4gProtein: 41g
So easy and delicious!! It’s like my grandma used to make! Thank you!!
Lori, I really like the way you explain how to make recipes work well. I regularly make basil & feta turkey burgers, which have a tiny touch of liquid in them. But I think I will try adding some Greek yogurt next time and see how they turn out. You may have created a monster… 🙂 These meatballs sound very good, and I’m pleased that the carb count is low in them. In my house they would be done in the oven.
Thank you Susan, that means a lot to me. I put so much work into these posts to try to make them helpful. I’m a big believer in yogurt as a magic ingredient! It adds moisture AND tenderizes meat. It’s the best!