How do you know when turkey meatballs are done?

Ground turkey is safe to eat when the internal temperature reaches 165F degrees. I recommend using a meat thermometer to check the meatballs for doneness.

Why are my turkey meatballs rubbery and tough?

This usually happens when the turkey mixture is overworked and/or the meatballs are too compact or rolled too much.

How do you get juicy and tender turkey meatballs?

Ground turkey has a fine texture and is wet compared to ground beef. So you don’t need to add as much moisture to turkey meatballs. With that said, to keep this lean meat moist, be sure to add a little fat. In this recipe, I used parmesan cheese but you can also use a tablespoon of olive oil if you prefer.

Can you make these air fryer meatballs with ground chicken?

Absolutely! Feel free to substitute ground chicken in this recipe, or try this air fryer chicken meatballs recipe instead!

Are turkey meatballs healthy?

Ground turkey is leaner than ground beef, and since these meatballs don't contain any oil and only a small amount of cheese, I would consider them on the healthier side.

How do you serve turkey meatballs?

We love these turkey meatballs served with homemade marinara sauce and pasta. (Who doesn't love meatballs and spaghetti?!) We also enjoy them with this lemon garlic pasta . You can also pair them with mashed potatoes, rice, quinoa, baby potatoes , corn on the cob or mixed vegetables .

What type of air fryer was this recipe tested in?

This recipe was tested in a Cosori 5.8 quart air fryer. Depending on the size, brand and model of your air fryer, you may need to adjust the temperature and cooking time slightly. If your air fryer is smaller, you will also need to air fry the meatballs in batches.

Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs

Description

Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs are tender and juicy with Italian herbs, panko crumbs and parmesan cheese. They’re ready in less than 25 minutes, freezer friendly and perfect for meal prep!

Ingredients

1 pound (454 grams) lean ground turkey
1/4 cup panko crumbs
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 large egg
2 teaspoons dried oregano
2 teaspoons dried basil
1 teaspoon dried parsley
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

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Instructions

Add all of the ingredients to a large bowl. Use a fork or your hands to mix everything together until just combined. Be careful not to over mix.
Use a 1.5 tablespoon cookie scoop to portion out the turkey mixture and roll it into balls. (You should get about 18 meatballs).
Place the meatballs in the air fryer basket in a single layer and air fry at 350F for 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket after 7-8 minutes to ensure the meatballs rotate and brown evenly.
The meatballs are done when they reach an internal temperature of 165F degrees.

Notes

If the turkey mixture is too wet or sticky, just cover and refrigerate it for 30 minutes to firm it up before rolling it into balls.
For even cooking, make sure your turkey meatballs are all the same size (about 1.5 tablespoons). If you make smaller or larger meatballs, you’ll need to adjust the air frying time.
Don’t overcrowd the air fryer. The meatballs should be arranged in a single layer and a little bit of space in between them to ensure they air fry evenly.
If you don’t have a non-stick air fryer basket, you may need to lightly spray the basket with oil or use parchment paper. (You can get parchment paper with little holes in it that are made for air fryer baskets).
I didn’t preheat my air fryer, but feel free to do so if your air fryer model requires it.
This recipe was tested in a Cosori 5.8 quart air fryer. Depending on the size, brand and model of your air fryer, you may need to adjust the temperature and cooking time slightly. If your air fryer is smaller, you’ll also need to air fry the meatballs in batches.
Be sure to check out the other sections above the recipe card for more detailed advice and suggestions for making this recipe.