Easy Air Fryer BBQ Meatballs are so good, and they make for a great snack, dinner, or lunch! And they are done in less than 20 minutes, from start to finish!
Truthfully, I used to make these in my Slow Cooker all the time before I had my air fryer. Since then, I have been making these for years. They are one of my family’s favorites and are easy to make.
This recipe can not be any more accessible, and once you make them, you will be hooked! They are so good!
If you are looking for some other great Air Fryer Appetizers, some of my favorites are AIR FRYER DRY RUBBED CHICKEN WINGS, AIR FRYER FROZEN FRENCH FRIES WITH FRENCH FRY SEASONING, AIR FRYER BAKED BRIE, and AIR FRYER POTATO WEDGES.
Why You Will Love This Recipe!
- Done fast: The air fryer gets them cooked and caramelized in minutes.
- Sticky, saucy goodness: That BBQ glaze clings to every bite in the best way.
- Perfect for anything: Appetizer, dinner, sliders, or meal prep… they work everywhere.
- Minimal mess: No greasy stovetop splatter, no big cleanup.
- Guaranteed crowd-pleaser: These disappear quicker than you can make them.
Ingredients Needed
- Ground beef: Juicy base for tender, flavorful BBQ meatballs
- Breadcrumbs: Helps bind meat mixture while keeping texture light
- Egg: Holds ingredients together for perfectly formed meatballs
- BBQ sauce: Adds smoky, sweet flavor and sticky glaze
- Onion: Brings savory bite and moisture to the mix
- Garlic: Boosts bold, rich flavor throughout the meatballs
- Kosher salt: Enhances overall taste and seasoning balance
- Black pepper: Adds gentle heat and depth of flavor
How To Make Easy Air Fryer BBQ Meatballs
Step One: Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees F (200°C). You may skip this step if your air fryer model doesn’t require preheating.
Step Two: Combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, 1/4 cup of BBQ sauce, chopped onion, minced garlic, and a pinch of salt and pepper in a large bowl. If desired, add any optional herbs or spices at this time. Mix everything until well combined. Avoid overmixing to prevent the meatballs from becoming tough.
Step Three: With clean hands, form the mixture into meatballs. The size is up to you, but meatballs about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter typically cook well and evenly in the air fryer.
Step Four: Place the meatballs in the air fryer basket or on the tray, leaving some space between each to ensure they cook evenly. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook them in batches.
Step Four: Air fry the meatballs at 400 degrees F (200°C) for 10-15 minutes until they are browned outside and no longer pink in the center. Halfway through the cooking time, you can gently turn them to ensure even browning.
Step Five: In the last 2-3 minutes of cooking, brush the meatballs with additional BBQ sauce for a sticky, caramelized finish.
Recipe Variations
- Sweet & Spicy: Add a teaspoon of sriracha or chili flakes to the BBQ sauce for a little kick.
- Mini Meatball Sliders: Make smaller meatballs and serve on slider buns with extra sauce for a fun appetizer.
- Gluten-Free: Swap regular breadcrumbs for almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs.
Easy Air Fryer BBQ Meatballs Recipe Tips
- Uniform Size Matters – Make all meatballs the same size for even cooking and a consistent finish.
- Don’t Overmix – Gently combine ingredients to keep meatballs tender, not dense.
- Preheat the Air Fryer – Helps achieve a crispy exterior without overcooking the inside.
- Space Them Out – Avoid overcrowding the basket so meatballs crisp instead of steaming.
- Sauce at the Right Time – Toss half in BBQ sauce before cooking for caramelization, then glaze with extra after for sticky perfection.
- Cheese Addition – Optional shredded cheese on top during the last 1–2 minutes adds gooey goodness.
- Serve Immediately – They taste best hot and fresh; reheating can dry them out slightly.
Storing, Freezing and Reheating Instructions
- Storing Instructions: Keep leftover BBQ meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Store the sauce separately if possible to prevent the meatballs from getting soggy.
- Freezing Instructions: Freeze cooked or uncooked meatballs in a single layer on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
- Reheating Instructions: Reheat meatballs in the air fryer at 350°F for 3–5 minutes until warmed through. Alternatively, warm them on the stovetop with sauce over medium heat until hot and bubbly.
Easy Air Fryer BBQ Meatballs Recipe Faqs
Can I use frozen meatballs? Yes! Cook them a few extra minutes in the air fryer and then toss in BBQ sauce.
What type of BBQ sauce works best? Use your favorite bottled or homemade BBQ sauce; thick sauces cling best to the meatballs.
Can I make these ahead of time? Absolutely. Shape meatballs in advance and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before cooking.
How do I prevent meatballs from drying out? Don’t overmix the meat and avoid overcooking; tossing in sauce after cooking helps keep them juicy.
Can I bake or pan-fry instead of using an air fryer? Yes, bake at 400°F for 15–20 minutes or pan-fry until golden brown, then coat with BBQ sauce.
Are these spicy? Not unless you add hot sauce or spicy BBQ sauce—otherwise they’re mild and crowd-friendly.
How should I serve them? Perfect as an appetizer, party snack, slider filling, or alongside rice or pasta for a meal.
More Easy Air Fryer Recipes
- AIR FRYER GARLIC BREAD
- AIR FRYER FROZEN FISH STICKS
- EASY AIR FRYER LEMON CRAB CAKES
- AIR FRYER HARD BOILED EGGS
- AIR FRYER AVOCADO FRENCH FRIES
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Easy Air Fryer BBQ Meatballs
Description
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef, 80/20 blend works well
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup BBQ sauce, plus more for glazing
- 1/4 cup onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper,
Instructions
- Start by preheating your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). If your air fryer model doesn’t require preheating, you may skip this step.
- In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, 1/4 cup of BBQ sauce, chopped onion, minced garlic, and a pinch of salt and pepper. If desired, add any optional herbs or spices at this time.
- Mix everything together until well combined. Avoid overmixing to prevent the meatballs from becoming tough.
- With clean hands, form the mixture into meatballs. The size is up to you, but typically, meatballs about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter cook well and evenly in the air fryer.
- Place the meatballs in the air fryer basket or on the tray, leaving some space between each to ensure they cook evenly. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook them in batches.
- Air fry the meatballs at 400°F (200°C) for about 10-15 minutes, or until they are browned on the outside and no longer pink in the center. Halfway through the cooking time, you can gently turn them to ensure even browning.
- In the last 2-3 minutes of cooking, brush the meatballs with additional BBQ sauce for a sticky, caramelized finish.
- Let the meatballs rest for a few minutes after cooking to allow the juices to redistribute. Serve hot as an appetizer with toothpicks, as a main with sides, or over rice or pasta for a hearty meal.
Equipment
- Cooking Spray
- Parchment Paper
Nutrition
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