These Air Fryer Turkey Feta Meatballs with Tzatziki sauce have become one of my favorite Meditteranean-inspired recipes. After testing them multiple times, I've nailed the perfect balance of lean turkey, feta cheese, and fresh herbs. Trust me, you'll want to add this to your weeknight dinner rotation.
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Ground turkey is a great lean protein but has the reputation of drying out quickly. Not today! These meatballs have been through rigorous testing to achieve the perfect texture and taste.
The magic happens in the air fryer! The high heat of the air fryer makes the turkey meatballs golden brown and crispy on the outside, while keeping them juicy and tender on the inside.
Sure, you can use other cooking techniques, like baking in the oven or pan-searing in large pan. But we love the convenience of air fryers. I use the Ninja Double-Stack Air Fryer (affiliate link).
Serve these meatballs over greens, tucked inside a pita with vegetables, or my favorite in a grain bowl: a base of white rice and Israeli couscous salad is added toped with turkey feta meatballs, sweet and tangy pickled red onions, and a homemade creamy tzatziki sauce.
I love this recipe because I developed it through trial and error, tweaking the feta-to-turkey ratio, testing different herb combinations, and comparing baking vs air frying. The result? A version that will turn out juicy, flavorful, and ready to impress.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Fresh Herbs - These healthy turkey meatballs are packed with parsley, mint, and dill giving you a bright Mediterranean flavor in every bite.
- High-Protein Turkey Meatballs - Lean ground turkey makes this dish a true protein powerhouse.
- Perfect for Meal Prep - Portion them into bowls, store, and reheat for quick lunches and dinner throughout the week.
- Air Fryer - Cooking them in an air fryer ensures a crispy, golden-brown meatball every time.
Recipe Ingredients
You'll need these simple ingredients to make these turkey feta meatballs:
- Ground Turkey - Use 93% lean and 7% fat for the best results. If you go leaner than that, you'll run the risk of a dry turkey meatball.
- Feta Cheese - In Mediterranean cooking, feta is often paired with herbs like dill, mint, and parsley for those Greek-inspired flavors.
- Herbs - For these Greek turkey meatballs, I used a trio of mint, dill, and parsley.
- Breadcrumbs - Help bind the meatballs and keep them moist. Use regular, panko, or gluten-free breadcrumbs depending on your needs.
- Garlic - Fresh garlic is recommended, but you can substitute it with 1 teaspoon of garlic powder.
- Egg - Helps bind the meatballs together.
- Spices - We are adding cumin for depth and dried oregano because it's a staple in Mediterranean cooking.
- Rice - I prefer to use Jasmine rice when building this bowl, but Basmati or brown rice also works well.
- Israeli Couscous - Also known as pearl couscous, these tender little pasta pearls make a delicious salad base when tossed with tomatoes, cucumber, and olives.
- Tzatziki Sauce - A creamy sauce made from Greek yogurt, shredded cucumber, dill, garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil. You can always use store-bought, but we included a homemade recipe for you.
See recipe card for quantities.
Substitutions & Variations
- Protein Swaps - You can replace turkey with ground chicken for a similar lean flavor, or use ground beef and lamb.
- Binder Options - Use breadcrumbs or panko for a traditional meatball, or almond flour or ground flaxseed for a gluten-free version.
- Cheese Alternatives - If you don't love feta cheese, swap it out for grated parmesan. For dairy-free diets, try plant-based options like these Dairy-Free Feta Crumbles (affiliate link).
- Herb and Spice Variations - Parsley, mint, and dill are classic, but you can experiment with thyme, basil, or fresh oregano. Add red chili flakes to make a spicy version.
- Vegetable Add-Ins - Sometimes I like to add fresh-grated zucchini just like in my Air Fryer Chicken Meatballs for added moisture and a juicy texture.
How to Make Turkey Feta Meatballs
Step 1. Prepare the Tzatziki Sauce.
In a bowl, combine Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, minced garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, fresh dill, salt, and pepper.
Step 2. Chill the Sauce.
Mix until smooth and creamy. Cover and refrigerate while you prepare the meatballs.
Step 3. Combine the Meatball Ingredients.
In a large glass bowl, add ground turkey, crumbled feta, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, chopped herbs, cumin, dried oregano, salt, and pepper.
Step 4. Mix with Your Hands.
Using clean hands, gently mix everything just until combined. Avoid over-mixing for a juicy turkey meatball.
Step 5. Portion Meatballs.
Use a portion scoop (about 2 tablespoons) to shape uniform meatballs. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and spray with cooking spray.
Step 6. Air Fry the Meatballs.
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (204°C). Arrange the meatballs in a single layer in the basket. I like to use these air fryer parchment liners (affiliate link) for an easy clean up. Cook for 10-15 minutes until golden-brown and cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F/73°C).
Step 7. Make the Israeli Couscous Salad.
While the meatballs cook, prepare the salad. Cook Israeli couscous according to package instructions. Toss with halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumbers, Kalamata olives, olive oil, lemon juice, and fresh herbs. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Step 8. Assemble the Bowl.
Spoon ½ cup of cooked jasmine rice into the bottom of the bowl, then a scoop of the Israeli couscous salad. Place 4 juicy feta meatballs on top, add a handful of pickled red onions for brightness, and a generous spoonful of the creamy Tzatziki sauce. Finish with a sprinkle of fresh herbs and feta cheese.
Expert Tips
- Grated Zucchini - Adding 1 small grated zucchini (unsqueezed) to the turkey mixture results in juicy, tender meatballs.
- Make a Panade - What is a Panade, you ask? Blend ½ cup of breadcrumbs, 2 tablespoons of milk, and 1 egg. Say goodbye to dry meatballs.
- Fresh Herbs - I have made this recipe with fresh and dried herbs, and fresh herbs (parsley, mint, and dill) really give you that Greek-inspired meatball.
- Meal Prep - These turkey meatball bowls are perfect for healthy meal prep. I keep the tzatziki sauce separate and reheat it for lunches and dinners throughout the week.
Delicious Ways to Serve Turkey Feta Meatballs
- Pasta - Place turkey meatballs on top of spaghetti, orzo pasta, or zucchini noodles.
- Sauces - Serve with yogurt-based sauces or my hearty marinara sauce.
- Pita Wraps - Stuff warm pita bread with meatballs, lettuce, red onions, and tzatziki sauce for a handheld meal.
- Greek Salad Plate - Place meatballs on top of a Mediterranean-style salad (mixed greens, cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, and feta cheese).
- Appetizer Platter - Serve with toothpicks alongside hummus, tzatziki, and pita chips for parties.
FAQ
To keep turkey meatball juicy, avoid overcooking them by cooking them until the internal temperature reaches 165°F/73°C. Add moisture with a combination of eggs, breadcrumbs, and finely grated vegetables like zucchini.
Yes, air fry at 400°F for 10-15 minutes until golden-brown and cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F165°F/73°C). You can also bake them in an oven or brown them in a skillet.
Yes, swap out turkey for ground chicken; they are both lean meats that are high in protein. Even ground beef and ground lamb would be delicious using this recipe.
This is a binding issue; the combination of eggs and breadcrumbs will stop this from happening. If you want to go the gluten-free route, use almond flour or ground flaxseed.
Yes, this turkey meatball bowl is so easy to meal prep, and it's in my weekly rotations. I like to use these glass meal prep containers (affiliate link) to portion them out. I keep the tzatziki sauce separate and these bowls reheat great for lunches and dinners throughout the week.
Storage Tips
Refrigeration: Store cooked turkey feta meatballs in in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Keep the tzatziki sauce separate so the meatballs don't get soggy.
Freezing: These meatballs freeze great! Place cooked and cooled meatballs in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. They'll keep for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Meal Prep: Portion into meal prep container with rice, couscous, 4 turkey feta meatballs, pickled onions, and a side of tzatziki sauce. This makes easy grab-and-go lunches or quick dinners during the week.
Reheating: I like to place a damp paper towel over the turkey meatball bowl and heat on 70% power for 3-4 minutes or until meatballs are heated through.
More High-Protein Recipes
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📖 Recipe
Turkey Feta Meatball Bowls
Equipment
Ingredients
Israeli Couscous Salad
- ½ cup Israeli couscous couscous pearls
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes halved
- ½ cup chopped cucumbers medium dice
- ¼ cup Kalamata olives
- 1 tablespoon Extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs dill, mint, and parsley
- salt and pepper to taste
Turkey Feta Meatballs
- 1 pound ground turkey
- ⅔ cup feta cheese crumbled
- 2 cloves garlic chopped
- 1 egg
- 4 tablespoons breadcrumbs
- 1 cup fresh mint, oregeno, dill, and parsley
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
Tzatziki Sauce
- 1 cup Greek Yogurt
- ½ cucumber grated
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill or 1 teaspoon dried dill
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon Extra virgin olive oil
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper freshly cracked
For Serving
- cooked white rice I like jasmine
- Israeli couscous salad
- pickled red onions
- tzatziki sauce
- chopped fresh herbs mint, dill, and parsley
- feta cheese crumbles
Instructions
- Prepare Israeli Couscous Salad: In a medium-sized sauce pan toast couscous in 1 tablespoon of olive oil for 1-2 minutes. Add in ¾ cup of water, bring to a simmer, reduce heat to medium-low, cover and cook for 15-20 minutes. Transfer cooked couscous to a sheet pan to cool. Toss cooled couscous with tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, herbs, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Cover and refrigerate.
- Combine Meatball Ingredients: In a large bowl, add ground turkey, feta cheese, garlic, egg, breadcrumbs, fresh herbs, cumin, salt, and pepper. Use your hands to gently mix everything together just until incorporated.
- Portion Meatballs: Use a portion scoop (2 tablespoons) to scoop turkey meatballs and transfer to a parchment-lined sheet pan. Spray with cooking spray.
- Cook Meatballs: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (204°C). Arrange the meatballs in a single layer in the basket. Cook for 10-15 minutes until golden-brown and cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F/73°C).
- Assemble the Bowl: Layer rice, couscous salad, 4 meatballs, pickled red onions, tzatziki, and sprinkle with fresh herbs and feta.
Notes
- For a tender and juicy meatball moisture matters. The combination of feta cheese, egg, and breadcrumbs help a lean meat like turkey stay moist. You can also add in some grated zucchini for more moisture.
- Fresh Herbs: We found that adding in a bunch of chopped fresh herbs (mint, dill, parsley) made the best tasting turkey meatball.
- Cooking Methods: While air frying at 400°F (204°C) for 10-15 minutes yields perfectly cooked meatballs, baking at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes is another trusted cooking technique.
- Meal Prep Friendly: These meatballs store well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or can be frozen for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
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Mike Cleavenger says
We love these turkey feta meatball bowls for meal prep!