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Air Fryer Meatballs

A freezer-friendly base meatball recipe designed for batch days and busy nights. Simple seasoning, reliable texture, and cooks fast in the air fryer.
30–36 meatballs (1.5-inch size)
Prep Time:
15 minutes
Level:
Beginner

This is my base meatball mix — the one I make on batch days so future dinners stop being a daily emergency. They’re seasoned enough to stand on their own, flexible enough to work in sauces, and designed to freeze cleanly without getting weird.

Ingredients

2 lb (900 g) ground beef

Seasonings • 2 tsp garlic powder• 2 tsp onion powder• 1–2 tsp dried chives (or 1 Tbsp fresh)• 1 tsp black pepper• 2 tsp salt• 2 tsp smoked paprika

Binders • 2 large eggs• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (up to 3/4 cup if beef is very wet)

Optional (for extra tenderness) • 2–4 Tbsp milk or broth (only if mixture feels dry)

Instructions

  1. Add ground beef, seasonings, eggs, and breadcrumbs to a food processor.

  2. Pulse just until combined — do not overmix.

  3. Scoop and roll into 1.5-inch meatballs (about 1.5–2 Tbsp each).

  4. Preheat air fryer to 375°F.

  5. Cook meatballs for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway, until internal temp reaches 160°F.

  6. Rest 3–5 minutes before serving or cooling for freezing.

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