If you’re looking for a delicious and healthy meal that comes together quickly, air fryer buffalo meatballs are perfect! You won’t have to wait long for these flavorful bites of joy – mix all the ingredients, form the meatballs, pop them in the air fryer, and they will be ready to enjoy in just 20 minutes.

They are juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside. Packed with protein from lean beef and ground pork, these scrumptious air-fried buffalo meatballs make for a great appetizer or main course. Get your forks (or toothpicks!) ready – let’s get those savory little treats cooking!

What Are Buffalo Meatballs?

Buffalo meatballs are a flavorful twist on traditional meatballs. They are made with ground meat, typically a combination of ground beef and pork, and seasoned with spices, herbs, and hot sauce.

The meatballs are then coated in a spicy buffalo sauce with hot sauce, butter, and vinegar. Buffalo meatballs are often served as an appetizer or party food, and they are a popular dish for game day gatherings or other casual events. They are typically served with blue cheese dressing and celery sticks for a classic buffalo wings-inspired flavor profile.

Why Cook Meatballs In Air Fryer​

Cooking meatballs in an air fryer is a great way to achieve a crispy exterior without deep-frying or baking them in the oven. Here are some reasons why you might choose to cook meatballs in an air fryer:

• Quick and easy: Cooking meatballs in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make them, as it requires less preparation and clean-up time than other cooking methods.
• Healthier option: Air fryers use less oil than traditional frying methods, making them a healthier option for cooking meatballs. Air-fried meatballs are typically less greasy and have fewer calories than deep-fried meatballs.
• Crispy exterior: Air fryers use hot air circulation for cooking the meatballs, resulting in a crispy exterior without excess oil. This makes air-fried meatballs an excellent option for those who prefer crispy food.
• Even cooking: Air fryers cook food evenly on all sides, so you can be sure your meatballs will be cooked without any raw spots.
• Versatile: Air fryers are versatile kitchen appliances for various recipes, including meatballs. You can experiment with different meatball recipes and seasonings to find your favorite combination.

Cooking meatballs in an air fryer is an excellent option for those who want a quick, healthy, and crispy way to make this classic dish.

Air Fryer Buffalo Meatball Ingredients​

Air fryer buffalo meatballs were the last thing I expected to fall in love with. Whether you’re an avid cook or a beginner in the kitchen, these delicious, easy-to-make snacks will surely become a household favorite!

Made with ground beef and enough hot sauce to kick them without being too spicy, they come out of your air fryer perfectly crisp on the outside and juicy on the inside. They are perfect for a football season or game day. These are so good, and they make the perfect party appetizer!

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Remember the step-by-step directions are below in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page, as well as the nutritional information.

• Meat: Use a blend of ground beef and ground pork. A healthier way would be to use lean ground chicken or ground turkey.
• Eggs: Use large room-temperature eggs, which will help bind the meatballs
• Breadcrumbs: Use regular breadcrumbs or seasoned bread crumbs
• Milk: This will give you juicy meatballs every time; use almond milk, coconut milk, or regular milk
• Parmesan Cheese: For additional flavor.
• Seasonings and Spices: Onion Powder, Brown Sugar, Garlic Powder, Kosher Salt, Chili Powder, Smoked Paprika, Ground Cumin, and Black Pepper
• Frank’s Hot Sauce: For the best buffalo flavor
• Serve: Bleu Cheese Crumbles, sliced green onions, or ranch dressing.

How To Cook Buffalo Meatballs In Air Fryer

Do you love buffalo meatballs but are too busy to cook them in the oven? Or is it too hot to turn on that oven and heat your kitchen?

Air frying can be a great alternative. Not only does it save time, reduce mess, and require less clean-up, but air fryers also achieve a delicious level of crispiness like never before for all your favorite fried dishes.

Making Buffalo Meatballs in an air fryer is simple and exciting – getting you the same buffalo flavors as my recipe for Air Fyrer Buffalo Chicken Wings or Air Fryer Chicken Buffalo Meatballs!  This makes for awesome game day food!

​Step One: Form Your Meat Mixture

​Start by soaking the breadcrumbs in the milk for about 20 minutes.  Then in a large bowl, add the ground pork, ground beef, eggs, bread crumb mixture, onion powder, Parmesan cheese, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, chili powder, smoked paprika, ground cumin, and black pepper.

Step Two: Form Your Meatballs

Spray your air fryer basket with cooking spray or line it with parchment paper. Use a cookie scoop or roll your meatballs into 1-inch balls.  As you make them place them into the air fryer basket. Not crowding the basket, a single layer, without stacking, works best.

Step Three:  Air Fryer Buffalo Meatballs

​Set the temperature to 400 degrees F, and set the cooking time for 12-15 minutes. Remove when the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees F. Check by inserting the meat thermometer into the center of the meatball. 

Step Four: Prepare Your Delicious Buffalo Sauce

While the meatballs are air frying, in a small saucepan, mix together the sauce ingredients. Simmer over medium-high heat until the sauces come together, remove from heat and set aside.

Step Five: Serving

When the meatballs are finished cooking, toss them with buffalo sauce, then sprinkle blue cheese crumbles on top right before serving. 

Pro Tips For Cooking Buffalo Meatballs In Air Fryer

​Here are some pro tips for cooking buffalo meatballs in an air fryer:

• Preheat the air fryer: Just like when cooking other foods in an air fryer, preheating the appliance is essential for achieving even cooking and a crispy exterior. Preheat the air fryer to the recommended temperature, typically around 400°F (200°C), for about 5 minutes.
• Use lean ground meat: To make healthier buffalo meatballs, use ground meat such as ground turkey or chicken instead of ground beef or pork. This will reduce the fat content of the meatballs and make them healthier.
• Do not overmix the meat: When making the meatball mixture, be careful not to overmix the ingredients, as this can result in tough and chewy meatballs. Mix the ingredients until they are combined, and avoid overworking them.
• Use an ice cream scoop: To ensure that the meatballs are uniform in size, use an ice cream scoop or a cookie scoop to form the meatballs. This will also make the process faster and easier.
• Coat the meatballs evenly: Use a pastry brush to coat the meatballs evenly with the buffalo sauce. This will ensure that each meatball is coated with the spicy sauce, resulting in a more flavorful dish.
• Flip the meatballs halfway through cooking: Flip the meatballs halfway through cooking to ensure that they are cooked evenly on all sides. This will also help to achieve a crispy exterior.
• Let the meatballs rest before serving: After cooking them, rest for a few minutes before serving. This will allow the juices to settle and make them easier to handle.

By following these pro tips, you can make delicious and healthy buffalo meatballs in an air fryer that will surely be a hit with your family and friends.

Frequently Asked Questions

​What kind of hot sauce is used for buffalo meatballs? 

Typically, a cayenne pepper-based hot sauce is used for making buffalo meatballs. Popular brands include Frank’s Red Hot, Texas Pete, and Tabasco.

Can I make the buffalo sauce less spicy? 

Yes, you can adjust the level of spiciness in the buffalo sauce by adding less hot sauce or more butter. Add honey or brown sugar to the sauce to balance the heat.

Can I use frozen meatballs for buffalo meatballs? 

Yes, you can use frozen meatballs for making buffalo meatballs. However, you will need to adjust the cooking time and temperature according to the instructions on the package.

Can I make buffalo meatballs ahead of time? 

Yes, you can make buffalo meatballs ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator or freezer until you are ready to serve them. To reheat, warm them up in the air fryer or oven until heated.

Can I use ground beef instead of ground chicken or turkey? 

You can use ground beef instead of ground chicken or turkey for buffalo meatballs. However, ground beef typically has a higher fat content than ground chicken or turkey, so you may want to drain any excess fat before coating the meatballs with the buffalo sauce.

Can I make gluten-free buffalo meatballs? 

Yes, you can make gluten-free buffalo meatballs by using gluten-free breadcrumbs or omitting the breadcrumbs altogether. Check the labels on the hot sauce and other ingredients to ensure they are also gluten-free.

What can I serve with buffalo meatballs? 

Buffalo meatballs are typically served with blue cheese, ranch dressing, and celery sticks. They can also be served with carrot sticks, cucumber slices, or other vegetables as a healthy and tasty appetizer.