Recipe Snapshot

PREP + COOK TIME: 25 minutes
METHOD: Air fryer
OTHER TOOLS: grater, mixing bowls
TOTAL INGREDIENTS: 9

Add air fryer turkey meatballs to your quick-and-easy meal lineup! Made with lean turkey, grated zucchini, and panko breadcrumbs, these meatballs turn out tender and juicy with a light golden-brown crisp on the outside. They’re perfect for dipping, serving over pasta, or freezing for a tasty, nutritious meal the whole family will enjoy.

What’s To Love About This Recipe

Lean ground turkey and zucchini make a lighter, veggie-boosted meatball option that’s nutritious and low-carb!.
The air fryer makes them crispy on the outside while tender and juicy on the inside. They won’t dry out during the quick cooking time.
This is an excellent option for those busy week nights when you need a healthy meal with minimal mess! The meatballs cook in about 10-12 minutes, and you can even mix the ingredients ahead of time for faster prep at mealtime.
The lightly seasoned flavor makes these both kid-friendly and easy to serve with a variety of sauces for dipping or over pasta and other grains.
Homemade turkey meatballs are very freezer-friendly. Prep a big batch and enjoy defrosting a few at a time whenever you need a main dish, an appetizer, or meal-prep protein.

Ingredients Needed

Ground turkey – 93% lean turkey gives the best balance of flavor and moisture for the meatballs. I recommend avoiding 99% lean since it can dry out quickly in the air fryer.
Grated zucchini – Use a cheese or zucchini grater to grate into small pieces that integrate well with the ground turkey. Squeeze out excess moisture with a clean towel or paper towel to ensure the meatballs stick together well. Yellow squash also works as a substitute.
Panko breadcrumbs – You can use either regular or gluten-free panko breadcrumbs to keep the meatballs light and on the fluffier side. Soaking the breadcrumbs first in milk will help keep the meatballs tender.
Milk – Use milk to soak the panko breadcrumbs for 5 minutes before integrating with the other ingredients.
Egg – Use a beaten egg to help bind the ingredients together.
Italian seasoning – Italian seasoning is a versatile choice with a light herbal flavor, but you can also swap it for any of your favorite blends.
Salt and black pepper – Add a bit of each to complete the seasoning.
Avocado oil spray – Avocado oil spray prevents sticking to the basket and helps the meatballs brown lightly in the air fryer.

turkey meatball ingredients to include ground turkey on parchment lined wooden cutting board, wooden bowls with spoons of salt and pepper, one egg, bowl of panko breadcrumbs, one zucchini, small bowl of milk, avocado oil spray and bowl of seasoning

How To Make Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs

Preheat the air fryer to 380 ℉ and spray the basket with avocado oil spray.
Grate zucchini and gently squeeze out excess moisture in a clean kitchen towel or paper towel.

parchment lined wooden cutting board with grated zucchini, grater and zucchini on side

Combine breadcrumbs with milk and set aside to soak for 5 minutes.

white bowl with milk and glass bowl of panko breadcrumbs

In a large bowl, combine turkey, zucchini, soaked breadcrumbs, egg, and seasonings. Mix gently until just combined.

glass bowl with ground turkey, egg, zucchini and seasoning, with wooden bowls and spoons of salt and pepper on side

glass bowl of turkey, egg, zucchini, salt and pepper and seasoning, with small bowl of panko breadcrumbs mixture on side

Form the mixture into 1-1½-inch meatballs and place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket (work in batches if needed).
Spray the tops lightly with avocado oil spray.

overhead view of black air fryer with 6 meatballs, can of avocado spray and parchment lined baking sheet with meatballs in background

Cook at 380 ℉ for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway, until the meatballs reach an internal temperature of 165 ℉.

overhead view of black air fryer containing 6 air fried meatballs

Pro Tips

Mix gently (avoid overmixing) until just combined to keep meatballs tender.
Use a cookie scoop to form even 1 to 1½-inch meatballs to ensure they cook evenly.
Don’t overcook the meatballs. Remove them from the air fryer when the meatballs reach 165 ℉ to prevent drying out.
Flipping halfway through cooking ensures they are evenly browned on the outside.
Always spray the air fryer basket and tops of the meatballs with oil to prevent sticking.
Avoid overcrowding and cook meatballs in batches if needed for crisp results.

overhead view of white serving platter containing air fried turkey meatballs

Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Try variations of meatballs in the air fryer with ground chicken, beef, or pork. Adjust the cooking time slightly and ensure respective temperatures are met for each type. Air Fryer Meatballs use a combination of beef and pork, and Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Meatballs have irresistible flavor!
Add-Ins are a great way to customize the recipe. Try adding Parmesan cheese, finely chopped onion, or fresh herbs.
Swap Italian seasoning for taco seasoning, Greek seasoning, or a Cajun blend to complement your side dishes and the flavor profile of the meal.
If you don’t have an air fryer, it’s very simple to enjoy turkey meatballs baked in the oven! Healthy Baked Turkey Meatballs are ready to eat in about 30 minutes.

How To Serve Turkey Meatballs

Turkey meatballs make a yummy, heartier appetizer, especially when served with dipping sauces like tzatziki, marinara, or Easy Dairy Free Ranch.

Serve meatballs as a main dish over your favorite pasta, zucchini noodles, or rice with spaghetti sauce or Alfredo sauce. For a more rustic option, add meatballs to a quinoa grain bowl with roasted veggies.

For a lighter meal, simply serve with a fresh side salad, or make an all-in-one meal with a meatball sub or wrap!

closeup view of fork containing a turkey meatball, with air fryer, plate of turkey meatballs and pasta and platter of turkey meatballs in background

Storing and Reheating

How To Best Store Leftovers

Fridge

Store leftover meatballs in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.

Freezer

Freeze cooked meatballs in a single layer, then transfer to freezer-safe bags or containers for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge for quicker reheating.

How To Best Reheat Leftovers

In the air fryer, reheat at 350 ℉ for 3-4 minutes for crispiness.
On the stovetop, simmer the meatballs gently in your preferred sauce until they are warmed through.
To reheat in the microwave, heat in short intervals and add sauce or a splash of broth to prevent the meatballs from drying out.