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Golden brown air fryer chicken meatballs in a white bowl with marinara and fresh parsley

Air Fryer Chicken Meatballs

3.50 from 2 votes
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 22 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings

Description

Juicy air fryer chicken meatballs with a golden crust and a tender center — the milk panade keeps lean ground chicken from drying out. Ready in 22 minutes.

Ingredients 

  • 1/3 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 3 tablespoons whole milk
  • 1 pound ground chicken, thigh preferred
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  • Stir the panko and milk together in a large bowl. Let sit 1 minute until it forms a paste. Meanwhile, preheat the air fryer to 375°F for 3–5 minutes on the air fry setting.
  • Add the ground chicken, Parmesan, egg, olive oil, parsley, salt, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, onion powder, and black pepper to the soaked panko. Mix with your hands about 20 seconds, just until combined. Do not overmix.
  • With damp hands, scoop 1½ tablespoons per meatball and roll into 1-inch balls (about 20). Spray the air fryer basket with olive oil or line with perforated parchment. Arrange the meatballs in a single layer with space between them, working in batches if needed. Spritz the tops with olive oil.
  • Air fry 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway through. Begin checking at 10 minutes and remove as soon as the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  • Rest 2–3 minutes before serving.

Equipment

  • Cooking Spray
  • Parchment Paper, optional

Notes

  • Ground chicken thigh (~85% lean) makes a juicier meatball than ground chicken breast (~99% lean).
  • The mixture will be sticky. That is correct — it is why they stay moist.
  • Do not cook past 165°F. This is the difference between juicy and dry.
  • Tested in a 5.8-quart basket air fryer. Oven-style models may need 1–2 additional minutes.

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 177kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 17gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 100mgSodium: 540mgPotassium: 442mgFiber: 0.3gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 149IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 79mgIron: 1mg