Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken Meatballs

These air fryer teriyaki chicken meatballs are one of my favorite easy dinners. They come out perfectly cooked every time, with a sticky, sweet glaze that makes them hard to stop eating.

The air fryer does all the heavy lifting here. No pan-frying, no oven preheating, and barely any cleanup. Just pop them in and let them cook.

The meatballs themselves are super flavorful thanks to fresh ginger, garlic, and green onions mixed right into the chicken. You get flavor in every single bite, not just on the outside.

Once they are done, you toss them in a thick teriyaki sauce and top with sesame seeds. That is honestly the best part.

If you are looking for a quick protein-packed meal that the whole family will enjoy, this one is a solid pick.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Crispy Outside and Juicy Inside – The air fryer gives these meatballs a golden crispy exterior while keeping the inside perfectly tender and juicy.

That Sticky Teriyaki Glaze Is Irresistible – Each meatball is coated in a thick glossy teriyaki glaze that is sweet and savory in every single bite.

Packed With Fresh Flavor – The ginger and garlic give these meatballs a bold aromatic flavor that makes them taste like restaurant quality.

Ingredients

For the Meatballs

• 1 lb Ground Chicken
• 1/2 cup Panko Breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup Chopped Green Onions
• 1 tsp Minced Garlic
• 1 tsp Minced Ginger
• 1/2 tsp Salt

For the Glaze

• 1/3 cup Thick Teriyaki Sauce
• 1 tbsp Sesame Seeds

How To Make

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken, Panko breadcrumbs, green onions, minced garlic, minced ginger, and salt.

Step 2

Mix gently until just combined, then roll the mixture into 1.5-inch meatballs.

Step 3

Place the meatballs in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they do not touch.

Step 4

Air fry at 380F for 10 to 12 minutes until cooked through and slightly browned on the outside.

Step 5

Transfer the warm meatballs to a bowl, pour the thick teriyaki sauce over them, and toss until perfectly glazed.

Step 6

Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve immediately.

Tips

Don’t Overmix the Meat

When you’re combining everything in the bowl, mix it just enough so the breadcrumbs, green onions, garlic, and ginger are evenly distributed. I use my hands for this and stop as soon as I don’t see any dry patches of breadcrumbs.

Overworking ground chicken makes the meatballs dense and rubbery once cooked. You want them to hold together but still feel tender when you bite into one.

If the mixture feels a little sticky on your hands while rolling, just wet your palms with a bit of water. It makes shaping the meatballs so much easier.

Make Sure Your Meatballs Are All the Same Size

Try to keep every meatball right around 1.5 inches. If some are bigger and some are smaller, they’ll cook at different speeds and you’ll end up with some that are overdone and others that are still raw in the middle.

I’ve found that using a cookie scoop or a tablespoon measuring spoon helps a lot here. Scoop out the same amount each time, then roll it into a ball. It only takes an extra minute and makes a big difference.

Give Them Space in the Basket

Leave a little gap between each meatball so the hot air can flow all the way around them. This is what gives you that nice browned outside that makes these so good.

If you crowd them together, the sides that touch will steam instead of crisping up. You’ll get pale, soft spots where they were pressed against each other.

If you need to cook in two batches to give them enough room, that’s totally fine. It’s worth the extra few minutes.

Related Recipes

• Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken
• Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
• Air Fryer Sweet Chili Glazed Meatballs
• Air Fryer Teriyaki Pineapple Chicken Skewers
• Air Fryer Crispy Sesame Chicken

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use ground turkey or ground pork instead of ground chicken?

Yes, ground turkey works as a direct swap and gives you a very similar texture and flavor. Ground pork also works well, though the meatballs will be a bit richer and juicier since pork has more fat.

Just keep in mind that if you use a fattier meat, the meatballs may release more grease in the air fryer. You might want to check them a minute or two earlier to make sure the outside doesn’t get too browned before the inside is fully cooked.