10 Minute Healthy Turkey Meatballs – Air Fryer Recipe

These healthy turkey meatballs are so simple and easy to make in just 10 minutes in the air fryer! They are made with only a few simple ingredients and they come out perfectly juicy and flavorful every single time. Toss them in a sweet and spicy sauce and enjoy them as a healthy main dish everyone will love!

My family goes crazy for these healthy turkey meatballs that I have been making for years. I used to make them in the oven like these greek meatballs but now I make them a little faster in the air fryer. They come out so juicy and flavorful and they only take 10 minutes!

We love them tossed in a 2 ingredient sweet and spicy sauce or you can warm them in some tomato sauce if you prefer. They make the best quick and easy weeknight meal that the whole famil will enjoy!

Why you’ll love this recipe

• Packed with flavor and nutrition.
• Only 10 minutes to make it!
• Requires only a few simple ingredients.
• Super moist center with a crazy crispy outer layer
• They are so good tossed in a sweet and spicy sauce.
• Great for meal prep for a simple healthy dinner.
• Gluten free!
• Kid-friendly!

Ingredients and substitutions

You can find a complete list of ingredients with measurements and instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

• Ground turkey – I used 93/7 organic ground turkey but any ground turkey will work in this recipe. If you are using a leaner ground turkey then you may need to add a bit of oil (about 1 teaspoon) to the meatball mixture if it looks dry. You can also add some chicken stock or turkey stock.
• Breadcrumbs – any breadcrumbs will work in this recipe. I used gluten-free breadcrumbs. You could also use cooked, cooled quinoa.
• Grated parmesan cheese – this gives the meatballs a slightly salty, cheesy flavor with a nice golden outer layer.
• Egg – one large egg to help hold the meatball mixture together.
• Olive oil – to help them get nice and golden when they cook.
• Worcestershire sauce – to give the meatballs a nice umami flavor that is so good!
• Dijon mustard – for a little zippy taste to the meatballs.
• Seasoning – garlic powder, chili powder, dried parsley, salt, and pepper.
• For the sweet and spicy sauce – chili sauce + apricot preserves.

How to make healthy turkey meatballs

This is a quick and easy 10-minute meatball recipe that your whole family will love!

1. Make the meatball mixture: Combine all of the meatball ingredients in a medium size mixing bowl and mix well to combine.
2. Form the meatballs. Use a small ice cream scoop or a rounded tablespoon to equally measure the meatballs into 1.5-inch balls. This recipe will make 15-17 meatballs.
3. Cook. Working in batches, add the meatballs in a single layer to a preheated air fryer and cook them for about 8-10 minutes at 400 degrees F. Per the recipe card below.
4. Mix up the sauce. Add the chili sauce and apricot preserves to a small mixing bowl and stir well to combine into a crazy good sweet and spicy sauce.
5. Serve. When the meatballs are done cooking, transfer them to a large mixing bowl, pour the sauce over them and toss them in the sauce. Serve warm over cooked rice and veggies.

These meatballs are so delicious, super moist and so crispy on the outside. Don’t get me started on this sauce that is just the perfect compliment to this recipe and really takes it to a whole new level.

Recipe Tips for making healthy turkey meatballs

• Use good quality ground turkey meat. I used organic 93/7 lean ground turkey for this recipe, which was perfect.
• Cook the meatballs until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F. You can check this using a meat thermometer.
• Roll the meatballs a little smaller than usual. Rolling these meatballs into 1.5-inch balls or smaller will allow them to cook faster and not dry out. Also using a small ice cream scoop or rounded tablespoon to portion the mixture will really help create even size meatballs that will all cook at the same time.
• Use a little bit of olive oil in this recipe. There is a little bit of olive oil in this recipe which allows the meatballs to get nice and crispy when cooked in the air fryer. It still ends up being much less oil than what is used to make traditional meatballs.
• Make sure to spray the air fryer basket with non-aerosol olive oil cooking spray before you add the meatballs so that they don’t stick to the basket.
• Flip the meatballs in the air fryer basket halfway through the cooking time to get them nice and gold on all sides.
• Toss the meatballs in the sauce right after they are done cooking, while they are still hot so the sauce sticks to them better. You can also serve them with your favorite tomato sauce.

How to make turkey meatballs in the oven

To make these meatballs in the oven, mix and roll them as directed in the recipe then place them onto a foil or parchment-lined baking sheet about 1 inch apart. Then bake them at 400 degrees F for 15-17 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.

How to make these turkey meatballs on the stovetop

Mix and roll the meatballs then heat a skillet with 2 tablespoons of oil to medium heat. Add the rolled meatballs in a single layer and cook for about 8-10 minutes, tossing them as they cook so they get browned on all sides.

Recommended tools for making this recipe

Here are some key tools needed to make this recipe.

• Air Fryer
• Use your hands or this great everyday rubber spatula to mix up the meatball mixture.
• Measure out even size meatballs using this small ice cream scoop that I love or this rounded tablespoon.
• Mixing bowl
• Olive oil cooking spray

Meatballs are always the first thing to go at any party for sure. Especially these easy Crockpot BBQ Meatballs that everyone loves. Which is why I just know you are going to love this recipe!

Ways to serve turkey meatballs

These meatballs work great as an appetizer or complete meal paired with some other easy healthy side dishes. Here are some of my favorite ways to serve these healthy turkey meatballs.

• Layered on top of this Simple Sautéed Spinach With Garlic.
• Enjoy these meatballs with some healthy easy Roasted Broccoli.
• Lay them on top of this insane Mashed Butternut Squash.
• Pair them with these Butternut Squash Noodles for a lower-carb spin on spaghetti and meatballs.
• Serve them with a hearty, healthy salad like this Easy Kale Salad, this Kale and Brussel Sprout Salad, or this Roasted Beet and Butternut Squash Salad.

Storing and reheating tips

Storing: If you plan to make these ahead of time then do not roll them in the sauce until you are ready to serve them. After you cook them, let them cool and keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Reheating: you can reheat these meatballs right in the air fryer at 350 degrees F for 3-4 minutes, then roll them in the sauce.

To freeze turkey meatballs

After you have cooked the meatballs, before you toss them in the sauce, let them cool then place them onto a baking sheet in a single layer and freeze for at least 1 hour. Then transfer them to a freezer-friendly container and keep them in the freezer for up to 1 month.

To reheat from frozen, place them right into the air fryer straight from the freezer and cook them at 380 degrees F for 8-10 minutes. Then toss them in the sauce or your favorite tomato sauce.

More healthy meatball recipes to try!

• Baked Eggplant Meatballs
• Air Fryer Ground Chicken Meatballs
• Air Fryer Turkey Zucchini Meatballs
• Air Fryer Frozen Meatballs

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