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Air Fryer Copycat Meatball Sub

Air Fryer Copycat Subway Meatball Sub

5 from 2 votes
Author: Fork To Spoon
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
0 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings

Description

Air Fryer Copycat Subway Meatball Sub -- Who doesn't love a good meatball sub? It's a classic comfort food perfect for any occasion, whether for lunch, dinner, or even a snack.

Ingredients 

For the Meatballs:

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 beaten egg
  • 2 cloves garlic, beaten
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, optional

For the Marinara Sauce:

  • 14 ounces crushed tomatoes,
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • 2 cloves minced garlic
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp dried basil
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/8 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

For Assembly:

  • 1 footlong sub roll or 2 six-inch sub rolls
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, for garnish
  • 2 tbsp melted butter or olive oil, optional, for toasting

Instructions

Prepare the Meatballs:

  • Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Grease the basket with olive oil.
  • Mix Ingredients: In a bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, beaten egg, minced garlic, chopped onion, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well combined.
  • Form Meatballs: Shape the mixture into 1.5-inch meatballs. You should get around 12-16 meatballs.
  • Air Fry: Place the meatballs in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not touching. Cook at 375°F for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through. They should be cooked through with an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

Prepare the Marinara Sauce:

  • Heat Oil: In a saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant.
  • Add Tomatoes and Seasonings: Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and black pepper.
  • Simmer: Reduce heat and let the sauce simmer for about 20 minutes to blend the flavors.

Assemble the Sandwich:

  • Cut and Toast the Roll: Cut the sub roll lengthwise but not all the way through. Optionally, brush the inside with melted butter or olive oil and toast in the air fryer at 350°F for 2-3 minutes.
  • Place Meatballs and Sauce: Open the toasted roll and place the cooked meatballs inside. Spoon marinara sauce over the meatballs.
  • Add Cheese: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan over the meatballs.
  • Final Toast: Place the assembled sandwich back into the air fryer at 350°F for another 2-3 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  • Serve: Your Subway copycat meatball sandwich is ready! Carefully remove it from the air fryer, slice into portions, and enjoy.

Equipment

  • Air Fryer
  • Cooking Spray
  • Parchment Paper, optional

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 353kcalCarbohydrates: 21gProtein: 26gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 69mgSodium: 829mgPotassium: 563mgFiber: 2gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 411IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 228mgIron: 5mg