Air Fryer Chicken Meatballs: No Eggs!

Name: Air Fryer Chicken Meatballs
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 12 min
Ingredients: 1 pound ground chicken; 1/2 cup breadcrumbs; 1/4 cup sour cream; 1/2 lemon (juiced ); 1/4 cup parmesan cheese (grated); 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped); 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon onion powder; 1/3 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

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Is there anything better than homemade meatballs? Correct answer: no.

You can do so much with meatballs. Add to pasta sauce, make a meatball sub or eat on its own with dipping sauces. You can serve as an easy appetizer at parties or have them as meal prep to grab when you need a snack. One little meatball, so many purposes.

Making them yourself means you control what goes into them and you know exactly what you’re eating. These juicy chicken meatballs are made with ground chicken, breadcrumbs, sour cream and simple spices. The sour cream is a secret meatball ingredient I’ve been waiting to share. It makes the meatballs moist, soft and incredibly addicting.

The air fryer is a great way to make meatballs and is my preferred method. It does the work for you and ensures everything is cooked evenly. For more air fryer recipes, try Air Fryer Green Beans or Air Fried Salmon Nuggets.

❤️ Why You’ll Love Air Fryer Chicken Meatballs:

High protein.
One bowl.
Perfect finger food for BLW.
Meal prep a bunch to have for the week or freeze.
Easy recipe to bring to parties.
No eggs.
Simple ingredients.

🍲 Ingredients

Ground Chicken

Breadcrumbs

Sour Cream

Lemon Juice

Parmesan Cheese

Fresh Parsley

👩‍🍳 How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Meatballs:

Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, breadcrumbs, sour cream, juice of 1/2 lemon, Parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well combined.
Take small portions of the meat mixture and roll them into meatballs, about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter.
Spray air fry basket with cooking spray.
Place meatballs in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not touching each other. Cook in batches depending on the size of the air fryer.
Cook in the air fryer for about 10-12 minutes, turning the meatballs halfway through the cooking time. Cook until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F and are golden brown and crispy on the outside.

🪄 Tips and Tricks

Do not over-mix the meatball mixture, this will result in tough meatballs. Mix until just combined.
Use an ice cream scoop or cookie scoop to make meatballs the same size. This will ensure an even cook.
Make sure meatballs are spaced apart and not touching in the air fryer basket to ensure everything cooks evenly.
Air fryer meatballs are great for babies and toddlers. For BLW, break up the meatball into small pieces.

🗒 Substitutions

Use ground turkey, ground pork or ground beef.
Add your favorite fresh herbs.

🗒 Best Served With:

Marinara sauce and pasta.
Meatball subs with mozzarella cheese.
Snack or appetizer: serve with dipping sauces such as barbecue, tzatziki, marinara or buffalo sauce.
Broccoli Parmesan or Pumpkin Pasta.

👝 How to Store Leftovers

Store leftover meatballs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

You can also freeze in a freezer safe bag for up to 3 months. Remove frozen meatballs an hour before you’re ready to eat. Reheat fresh or defrosted meatballs in the air fryer.

🤔 Common Questions

Are these gluten-free?

Yes, these are gluten-free if you use a gluten-free breadcrumb.

Are these dairy-free?

These are not dairy-free due to the sour cream, which I highly recommend adding. You can use a dairy-free sour cream or try Air Fryer Bison Meatballs for a dairy-free meatball.

Can I use other meats?

Absolutely! Ground turkey, beef or pork works well. Turkey is less flavorful than beef or pork so you may need to add extra spices.

Can I use the oven or stove top?

Oven: bake in the oven at 400 degrees F. Bake for 25-30 minutes.
Pan Fry: heat olive oil or butter over medium heat. Cook meatballs, undisturbed, for 3 minutes. Turn the meatballs, cooking undisturbed for another 3 minutes. Continue browning and cooking, turning every 3 minutes, until meatballs are cooked through.