Air fryer chicken meatballs are a healthy appetizer that checks all the boxes. Whole30, Paleo, Dairy-Free, and Gluten-Free. Serve with a dipping sauce of marinara sauce or on top of zucchini noodles.
These meatballs are quick and easy with the help of an air fryer. I never thought I would be the one to buy an air fryer but I use it almost daily. The cook time on these chicken meatballs is only 10 minutes. Here is a link to the air fryer that I use.
To make this recipe gluten-free we use almond four in place of breadcrumbs. Nutritional yeast adds a cheesy flavor that is delicious in meatballs. My secret trick is olive oil for a healthy and juicy meatball.
Chicken meatballs make an awesome appetizer when served with my homemade marinara sauce. For a dinner option, serve meatballs and sauce over zucchini noodles. My zucchini and sausage pasta is a great use of zoodles too.
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Why you'll love this recipe
- Our chicken meatballs are made without breadcrumbs. Almond flour is the perfect replacement and makes this recipe gluten-free.
- Turn this recipe into toddler chicken meatballs. Kids love these yummy meatballs. I like to make mini-sized ones for my kids, and they gobble them all up.
- Air fryers make cooking a breeze. In the hot summer months, I avoid heating up my house by leaving the oven off. I like to use my air fryer for cooking them in only 10 minutes.
Ingredients
With only 5 ingredients plus some pantry spices, these keto and low-carb meatballs are the best.
Ingredient Notes
- Ground Chicken - a lean alternative to the classic beef meatball
- Nutritional Yeast - replaces parmesan for a cheesy taste
- Almond Flour - no need for breadcrumbs when you have almond flour in your pantry
- Spices - garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and Italian seasoning
- Olive Oil - my secret trick for moist Italian Chicken Meatballs
- Egg - binds everything together
See recipe card for quantities.
How to make air fryer chicken meatballs
Making Whole30 chicken meatballs is so easy, here's how to make it
Step 1: In a large mixing bowl combine all ingredients.
Step 2: Using your hands, mix everything together.
Step 3: On a parchment-lined baking tray portion out meatballs. I like to use a portion scoop to do this.
Step 4: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F and cook for 10 minutes or until golden brown.
What to serve with chicken meatballs
- Serve as an appetizer - serve with a marinara sauce for the perfect appetizer.
- On top of zoodles - one of my favorite dinners is chicken meatballs on top of zucchini noodles with marinara sauce.
- Throw them in a salad - Add a bit of protein to any salad with these delicious meatballs.
- Serve them in a savory sauce - Simmer in a creamy mushroom sauce
- Rice or cauliflower rice bowl - Place meatballs over rice with fresh veggies
Swaps and Substitutions
- Ground Turkey is a lean meat just like chicken and transforms into great-tasting meatballs.
- Italian breadcrumb is a great swap for almond flour. If you are not gluten-free breadcrumbs will work.
- Parmesan Cheese is amazing in meatballs if you can handle dairy. Nutritional yeast gives a presence of cheesy flavor.
Variations
- Buffalo Chicken Meatballs - Toss into a buffalo sauce for a spicy appetizer
- Greek Chicken Meatballs - Add chopped spinach and kalamata olives
- Mexican Chicken Meatballs - Replace Italian seasoning with chopped cilantro, and diced jalapenos
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Portion Scoop
- Baking Tray
Storage and reheating Instructions
- Refrigerator - Cool down to room temperature and store inside an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.
- Freezer - Place inside of a ziplock bag, and freeze for up to 3 months.
- Reheating - Place meatballs in the microwave at 70% power for 3 minutes or until hot. I like to lay a damp paper towel over top so they don't dry out.
Chef Tips
- Place meatballs inside the air fryer basket making sure they don't touch. You will have to cook it in 2 batches to ensure proper browning.
- I like to spray the air fryer basket with an avocado oil spray to prevent sticking.
- To make chicken meatballs in the oven bake at 400°F for 15 minutes, or until the internal temperature is 165°F.
- Air fryer chicken meatballs are great for meal prepping. Serve over zucchini noodles and marinara sauce for a delicious lunch.
- Chicken meatballs taste great big or small. larger meatballs take longer to cook.
- Help the chicken stick to my hands. I dampen my hands with a mist of water to avoid this.
FAQ
Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees and place frozen meatballs in the air fryer basket. Cook for 10 minutes until cooked through or the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.
Yes, you only want to cook them until they reach 165°F. There is nothing worse than a dry meatball.
Chicken meatballs are very healthy. Ground chicken is a very lean cut of meat low in fat and high in protein. For the best quality buy pasture-raised chicken.
Ground turkey is a great substitute for ground chicken. Both types of meat are very lean and healthy.
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📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Chicken Meatballs
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1 egg
- ½ cup almond flour
- 3 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl combine ground chicken, egg, olive oil, almond flour, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Using a portion scoop to make 24 meatballs. Place meatballs on a parchment-lined baking tray.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray and place the meatballs inside.
- Cook the meatballs for 10 minutes flipping halfway. The internal temperature should read 165°F.
- Serve meatballs with a side of marinara sauce.
Notes
Mike's Tips
- Place meatballs inside the air fryer basket making sure they don't touch. You will have to cook it in 2 batches to ensure proper browning.
- I like to spray the air fryer basket with an avocado oil spray to prevent sticking.
- To make chicken meatballs in the oven bake at 400°F for 15 minutes, or until the internal temperature is 165°F.
- Air fryer chicken meatballs are great for meal prepping. Serve over zucchini noodles and marinara sauce for a delicious lunch.
- Chicken meatballs taste great big or small. larger meatballs take longer to cook.
- Help the chicken stick to my hands. I dampen my hands with a mist of water to avoid this.
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