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Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs in Marinara, air fryer dinner recipes for busy nights
Brittany Stage

Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs in Marinara

Tender Italian-seasoned turkey meatballs cook in the air fryer in just 12 minutes, then get tossed in warm marinara for a weeknight dinner that works over pasta or stuffed into hoagie rolls.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 27 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian American
Calories: 390

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb ground turkey 93% lean works well
  • 1/3 cup Italian breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese finely grated
  • 1 large egg
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper freshly ground
  • 1 tbsp olive oil for misting or brushing
  • 24 oz jarred marinara sauce your favorite brand
  • 12 oz spaghetti or 4 hoagie rolls for meatball subs

Equipment

  • air fryer
  • large mixing bowl
  • medium saucepan
  • cookie scoop or spoon

Method
 

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 375 degrees F for 3 to 4 minutes. While it heats, combine the ground turkey, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Mix with your hands until just combined. Do not overwork it or the meatballs will be tough.
  2. Wet your hands lightly under the tap, then roll the mixture into balls about 1 1/2 inches across. You should get 18 to 20 meatballs. Set them on a plate as you go. Wet hands keep the meat from sticking and help you roll without pressing too hard.
  3. Lightly brush or mist the air fryer basket with olive oil. Arrange the meatballs in a single layer with a little space between each one. Work in batches if your air fryer is on the smaller side. Do not stack them or they will steam instead of brown.
  4. Air fry at 375 degrees F for 11 to 13 minutes, shaking the basket gently once at the halfway point. They are done when the outside is lightly browned and the internal temperature reads 165 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer. They should feel firm but not hard when you press one lightly.
  5. While the meatballs cook, warm the marinara in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. If you are serving over pasta, cook the spaghetti according to package directions at the same time.
  6. Add the finished meatballs to the saucepan and turn them gently to coat in the sauce. Let them sit in the warm marinara for 2 to 3 minutes before serving. This helps the flavors come together and keeps the meatballs moist. Serve over spaghetti or pile into hoagie rolls with extra sauce and a sprinkle of Parmesan.

Notes

Cooked meatballs freeze well for up to 3 months. Freeze them on a sheet pan first, then transfer to a bag so they do not stick together. Reheat from frozen in the air fryer at 350 degrees F for 6 to 8 minutes or thaw overnight in the fridge first.