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Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs (16 Meatballs, 12 Minutes)

These air fryer turkey meatballs stay juicy thanks to grated onion and a little parmesan. They cook in about 12 minutes with no flipping mess.

Four air fryer turkey meatballs on marinara sauce with parmesan in a shallow bowl

Four meatballs have about 26 g of protein and 249 calories.

Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs

Lean ground turkey meatballs with egg, breadcrumbs, parmesan, and grated onion, cooked in the air fryer.

Serving: 4 meatballs. Makes: 16 meatballs (4 servings). Per serving: 249 calories, 25.5 g protein.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb 93% lean ground turkey, raw (454 g)
  • 1 large egg (50 g)
  • 1/3 cup plain dry breadcrumbs (36 g)
  • 1/4 cup grated parmesan (20 g)
  • 1/4 cup grated onion (40 g)
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp salt

Instructions

Raw rolled turkey meatballs on a parchment-lined sheet pan before air frying
  1. Mix everything gently with a fork until just combined.
  2. Roll into 16 balls, about 1 1/2 inches (4 cm) each.
  3. Heat the air fryer to 380°F (195°C). Lightly spray the basket.
  4. Air fry 10 to 12 minutes, shaking once, until 165°F (74°C) inside.
Air fryer basket of browned air fryer turkey meatballs

What drives the protein: the lean turkey. Four meatballs have about 26 g of protein and 249 calories, before any sauce or pasta.

Nutrition Per Serving

RecipeServingCaloriesProteinCarbsFatFiberSodium
Turkey meatballs4 meatballs24925.5 g8.2 g12.5 g0.6 g252 mg

Values are calculated from USDA FoodData Central (SR Legacy) for the ingredients listed. Spices are not included. Brands vary, so check your labels.

Tips

Serving ideas

  • With 1/2 cup marinara and zucchini noodles
  • In a whole-wheat pita with tzatziki
  • Over rice with steamed broccoli

Freeze

Freeze cooked meatballs on a tray, then bag them for up to 3 months. Air fry from frozen at 360°F (180°C) for 6 to 8 minutes.

Need more ways to use them? See our high-protein lunches that reheat well and our 5-day high-protein meal prep plan.

FAQ

Why are my turkey meatballs dry?

Usually from overmixing or overcooking. Mix gently and check at 10 minutes.

How much protein do they have?

About 26 g of protein and 249 calories per 4 meatballs, based on USDA data.

Can I use 99% lean turkey?

Yes, but the meatballs will be drier. Add 2 tbsp of milk or Greek yogurt to the mix.

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