Air Fryer Pork Meatballs

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Juicy and full of flavor, these air fryer pork meatballs are quick and easy to make. Seasoned with yellow mustard and Worcestershire sauce, they are deliciously tangy with perfectly crispy edges. Perfect for meal prep and easy weeknight dinners.

Air fryer pork meatballs on a white serving plate, garnished with sprigs of fresh parsley.

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Meatballs are one of my go to recipes for weeknight dinners. Made from scratch, they are a great source of protein, and can be incorporated into, meals in so many ways.

These pork meatballs come together with a few ingredients, with very little effort, and are cooked to perfection in the air fryer. They come out perfectly tender and juicy, with browned crispy edges, and the seasonings make them seriously delicious!

Be sure to try my Air Fryer Lamb Meatballs and Air Fryer Chicken Meatballs too!

Why you will love this recipe!

Quick and easy: Just mix all of the ingredients together, roll into balls and air fry. They are ready to serve in less than 25 minutes.
Pantry ingredients: Made with pantry staple ingredients, you don't need a long shopping list for these meatballs. They are a great budget friendly family recipe.
Great for meal prep: Once cooked, these pork meatballs have a good shelf life and are freezer friendly too.
Dietary info: This air fryer pork meatball recipe is dairy-free and low carb, they are easy to make gluten-free. High in protein and made from natural ingredients, they are a great addition to a well balanced diet.

Ingredients

Ground pork: I used lean ground pork for this recipe that contains less fat.
Egg: This helps to bind the ingredients together.
Breadcrumbs: Use fine and plain breadcrumbs. They help to absorb moisture so that the meatballs don't fall apart during cooking.
Dry seasonings: Garlic powder, salt and black pepper.
Worcestershire sauce: This adds a umami flavor with hints of sweetness and spiciness.
Yellow mustard: I use French's yellow mustard in these meatballs. You can use dijon, but I would suggest you half the amount as it has a much stronger flavor.

How to make air fryer pork meatballs

Be sure to scroll down for the full recipe!

Add all of the ingredients to a bowl (photo 1).
Combine the ingredients together with your hands (photo 2).
Roll the mixture into balls and place in the air fryer basket (photo 3).
Air fry ti cooked through and the outsides are browned and crispy (photo 4).

Four step by step photos to show how to make the recipe.

Recipe Variations

These air fryer pork meatballs are delicious just as they are, but you can easily adjust the seasonings to suit your tastes. You can add dried or fresh herbs or other spices like paprika or cayenne. Make them gluten-free by simply using GF breadcrumbs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you make meatballs without breadcrumbs?

Breadcrumbs absorb moisture from the other ingredients to make them firmer, and help the meatballs keep from falling apart when they are cooked. You can substitute breadcrumbs with crushed pretzels or crackers, or almond flour or oat flour. If you only have panko breadcrumbs to hand, you can use them, but be sure to pulse them in a food processor first.

Can you make these meatballs with other meats?

Yes! This recipe will work well with other ground meats like turkey, chicken, lamb or beef.

Can you make them without an air fryer?

Yes! You can also shallow fry or oven bake these pork meatballs:

Fry: Heat a tablespoon of oil to a large skillet on a medium high heat. Add the meatballs and cook til browned all over and cooked through.

Oven bake: Place the meatballs on a lined baking sheet and cook in a preheated oven at 400F / 200c for 30 to 40 minutes til cooked through.

Air fried meatballs on a white plate garnished with fresh parsley.

Serving Suggestions

Once cooked, these air fryer meatballs are delicious when tossed in a hot marinara sauce and served over pasta. Perfect comfort food! They are also great by themselves with delicious side dishes like:

They are also great tossed into soups for some added protein, or pile them into subs for a deli style sandwich.

Make Ahead, Storage and Reheating

You can make the pork meatball mix up to a day ahead of time and keep it covered in the fridge.

Once cooked, the meatballs will keep well for up to 4 days refrigerated, or, for up to 4 months in the freezer. Frozen meatballs should be fully thawed before reheating.

Reheat meatballs in the air fryer at 350F / 175c for 3 to 5 minutes til heated through. You can also toss them straight into soups, stews or pasta sauces to heat through.

Recipe Notes and Tips

Don't overwork the ingredients when mixing everything together, this can cause them to be tough. Mix them with your hands and stop as soon as everything is incorporated.
Roll the meatballs loosely, don't use pressure to shape them.
Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket, the meatballs should be placed in one layer and not touching. Cook in two batches if needed.
If making ahead of time, let the meatballs cool completely before storing.

These juicy air fryer pork meatballs are so simple to make and cook, and I love how many ways there are to use them! Super delicious and tasty, make sure you cook up a couple of batches to stash in the freezer!

More Meatball Recipes

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