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.