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air fryer crispy breaded meatballs the relatable chef

Crispy Air Fryer Breaded Meatballs

What is better than a soft juicy meatball exploding with fresh Italian flavors? The answer is simple.. a breaded one that is in fact not deep fried but just as crunchy and delicious.
This recipe is easy but it just takes some time. Don't be intimidated! Since we are using the air fryer, we get to skip the pan frying splatter of oil everywhere and keep clean up easy. Once they are done cooking, add them to your favorite warm tomato sauce and enjoy.
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Prep Time 35 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 10 meatballs

Equipment

  • 1 air fryer

Ingredients
  

Meatballs

  • 1 lb Lean ground beef I prefer 96%
  • 1/4 cup Bread crumbs regular-not panko
  • 1/3 cup Milk can be low fat or non dairy
  • 2 eggs
  • .5 White onion, diced
  • 2 Garlic cloves, pressed
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • .5 tsp Black pepper
  • 1/4 cup chopped parsley optional
  • 2 tbsp Grated parmesan optional

Breading

  • .5 cup Breadcrumbs regular-not panko
  • 1 Egg, whisked
  • .5 cup Flour
  • 2 tbsp Grated parmesan optional

Serve

  • 2 cups Marinara sauce
  • Parmesan for garnish
  • Chopped Basil for garnish

Instructions
 

  • mix together bread crumbs with milk in a small bowl and set aside
  • heat some olive oil in a skillet over medium. Add your diced onion. Cook and stir until soft and translucent, about 10 minutes. Set aside and let them cool down.
  • in a large mixing bowl, add your beef, onions, bread crumb mixture, eggs, italian seasoning, salt, garlic, onion and if using the parsley and parmesan as well.
  • using about 2 tbsp of meat, form mixture into meatballs and set on a baking sheet. Optional: if you have the time, it would be good to refrigerate them for 30 min- 1 hour.
  •  get your breading station ready. Using 3 shallow plates, add your flour, whisked egg and breadcrumbs. If using the optional parmesan, mix this into your breadcrumbs
  • Dip  your meatballs into the flour until well coated. Then the egg wash and then the breadcrumbs. Set back onto baking sheet.
  • Preheat your air fryer to 400F for 8-10 minutes
  • Turn down to 375 F. Spray the cage with olive oil non stick spray
  • Add your meatballs, being careful to not overcrowd. Spray the top of them with more non stick spray
  • Cook for 8- 10 minutes or until the center reaches 165F