If you’re looking for a tasty and wholesome dish that’s easy to make, then check out these amazing air fryer chicken meatballs.
Made with ground chicken, grated zucchini, and a blend of flavorful spices, these meatballs are crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside.
Plus, they’re cooked in the air fryer, which means they’re healthier than traditional fried meatballs and require minimal cleanup.
But the best part about these chicken meatballs is how versatile they are. You can serve them as a main dish with a side of marinara sauce and greens, or you can make mini meatballs for a crowd-pleasing appetizer.
So, what are you waiting for? try my airfryer chicken meatballs recipe today and enjoy!
Why You Should Try This Recipe
Delicious Flavor and Texture: These chicken meatballs are bursting with flavor, thanks to the combination of spices like garlic powder, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes.
Easy and Convenient: This recipe is incredibly easy to make and requires minimal prep work. With just a few simple ingredients and a cookie scoop or your hands, you can have a batch of delicious chicken meatballs ready in under 30 minutes.
👨🍳 Air Fryer Chicken Meatballs Ingredients
For this chicken meatballs in air fryer recipe you will need:
- 1 pound (450g) Ground Chicken
- 1 egg (beaten)
- 1 Zucchini
- 1/4 tablespoon Red Pepper Flakes
- 3/4 tablespoon Garlic Powder
- 2 1/2 tablespoons Chopped Parsley
- 1/2 tablespoon Dried Oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
- Salt (to taste)
- Black Pepper (to taste)
⭐ Chicken Meatballs Air Fryer Recipe
Follow this easy ground chicken meatballs air fryer recipe:
Step 1
Start by preheating the air fryer to 400F (200C). Then, finely grate zucchini into a mesh strainer.
Step 2
Add 1/2 tablespoon of salt. Allow the zucchini mixture to extract water over the sink for 10-15 minutes (press down with your fingers a few times and allow to sit).
Step 3
Take a large mixing bowl and add the ground chicken, garlic powder, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, oregano, parsley, egg, and drained zucchini.
Step 4
Use a cookie scoop (if you don’t have one, just use your hands) to form 16-18 small balls.
Step 5
Place the meatballs in the air fryer basket, and air fry for 8-12 minutes until browned. Flip the meatballs halfway through. Make sure to leave space between the balls (air fry in 2 batches if needed).
That’s it! Enjoy these delicious air fryer chicken meatballs!
💡 Tips
Squeeze the Zucchini Mixture Well
In Step 2, the recipe tells to extract water from the grated zucchini. It is important to squeeze the zucchini mixture well to remove as much water as possible.
This helps prevent the meatballs from falling apart during cooking and ensures that they hold their shape.
Add Parmesan Cheese for Extra Flavor
If you want to add an extra layer of flavor to your chicken meatballs, try adding grated Parmesan cheese to the mixture.
Parmesan cheese adds a nutty, salty flavor to the meatballs and makes them taste even more delicious. You can add 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese to the mixture in Step 3.
Serve with a Side of Marinara Sauce
These air fried chicken meatballs are delicious on their own, but you can also serve them with a side of marinara sauce.
The tangy sauce complements the flavors of the meatballs perfectly and adds an extra pop of color to your dish.
Simply heat up your favorite marinara sauce in a small pot and serve it on the side.
Experiment with Different Spices
Theis chicken meatballs air fryer recipe calls for garlic powder, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, and dried oregano, but feel free to experiment with other species and herbs.
For example, you can add cumin or smoked salt for a smoky flavor or rosemary for an earthy aroma.
Serve on a Bed of Greens
To make your chicken meatballs even more wholesome, serve them on a bed of greens like spinach or arugula.
The fresh greens add a burst of freshness and great color to the dish, and the meatballs provide a protein rich topping.
Use Panko Breadcrumbs for Extra Crunch
If you prefer your air fryer chicken meatballs to have a crunchy texture, you can use also panko breadcrumbs to the mixture.
Panko breadcrumbs are coarser and crispier than regular breadcrumbs, and they create a delicious crunchy coating on the meatballs.
Add a Squeeze of Lemon for Freshness
For an extra burst of freshness and tanginess, you can squeeze a wedge of lemon over your chicken meatballs before serving.
The taste of the lemon juice cuts through the richness of the meatballs and adds a great zesty flavor to the dish.
I hope you liked my chicken meatballs in air fryer recipe. This dish tastes amazing, and it’s also very easy to make.
The great thing about air fryers is that they cook food quickly and evenly, so your meatballs will come out perfectly every time.
Make sure to share this ground chicken meatballs air fryer recipe with your friends! If you have any questions- feel free to comment below. Also, make sure to check out my other air fryer recipes.
Air Fryer Chicken Meatballs
- 1 pound Ground Chicken (450g)
- 1 Egg (beaten)
- 1 Zucchini
- 1/4 tablespoon Red Pepper Flakes
- 3/4 tablespoon Garlic Powder
- 2 1/2 tablespoons Chopped Parsley
- 1/2 tablespoon Dried Oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
- Salt (to taste)
- Black Pepper (to taste)
- Start by preheating your air fryer to 400F (200C). Then, finely grate zucchini into a mesh strainer.
- Add 1/2 tablespoon of salt. Allow the zucchini mixture to extract water over the sink for 10-15 minutes (press down with your fingers a few times and allow to sit).
- Take a large mixing bowl and add the ground chicken, garlic powder, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, oregano, parsley, egg, and drained zucchini.
- Use a cookie scoop (if you don’t have one, just use your hands) to form 16-18 small balls.
- Place the meatballs in the air fryer basket, and air fry for about 8-12 minutes until browned and crispy. Flip the meatballs halfway through. Make sure to leave space between the balls (air fry in 2 batches if needed).
