Air Fryer Asian Meatballs
Looking for a quick and delicious dinner idea that’s a little different from your usual weeknight routine? Let me introduce you to one of my all-time favorites: Air Fryer Asian Meatballs. They’re juicy, flavorful, and come together in under 30 minutes
Equipment
- Air fryer
- Mixing Bowl
- Small saucepan
- Measuring spoons & cups
- Tongs or Spatula
- Grater or Microplane
- Parchment paper (optional)
Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
- 1 lb ground pork or ground chicken/turkey
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs panko or regular
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 teaspoons grated ginger
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 2 green onions finely chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the Sauce (Optional but Recommended):
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water
To Serve (Optional):
- Cooked jasmine rice or noodles
- Steamed broccoli or snap peas
- Sesame seeds & chopped green onions for garnish
Instructions
Step 1: Make the Meatball Mixture
- In a large mixing bowl, add the ground pork, breadcrumbs, egg, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, grated ginger, minced garlic, chopped green onions, and black pepper.
- Use clean hands or a spatula to mix everything together until well combined — but don’t overmix, or the meatballs can turn out tough.
- Pro Tip: If you’re unsure about seasoning, cook a tiny piece in the microwave for a quick taste test before forming all the meatballs.
Step 2: Shape the Meatballs
- Scoop about 1 to 1½ tablespoons of the mixture and roll it into a ball using your hands.
- Repeat until all the mixture is used — you should get about 18–20 meatballs.
- Place the formed meatballs on a clean plate or parchment-lined tray.
- Pro Tip: Lightly oil your hands or use a cookie scoop for less sticking and uniform sizes.
Step 3: Preheat the Air Fryer
- Set your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and let it preheat for 3–5 minutes if your model requires it.
- Pro Tip: A preheated air fryer helps the meatballs brown more evenly and cook faster.
Step 4: Air Fry the Meatballs
- Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or use parchment paper with holes for airflow.
- Arrange meatballs in a single layer, leaving a little space between each one.
- Air fry at 375°F for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Pro Tip: Check for doneness by cutting one open — it should be fully cooked with no pink inside and an internal temp of 165°F (74°C).
Step 5: Make the Sauce (Optional but Recommended)
- While the meatballs cook, add soy sauce, hoisin sauce, honey, rice vinegar, and sesame oil to a small saucepan.
- Bring to a low simmer over medium heat.
- In a separate small bowl, mix the cornstarch with water to make a slurry.
- Slowly whisk the slurry into the sauce and let it simmer for 1–2 minutes until thickened.
- Pro Tip: Whisk continuously to prevent lumps and keep the sauce silky smooth.
Step 6: Toss and Serve
- Once meatballs are done, you can serve them as-is or toss them in the warm sauce to coat.
- Garnish with sesame seeds and extra green onions.
- Serve hot over rice, noodles, or in lettuce cups.
- Pro Tip: For a glossy finish, let the sauced meatballs rest for a minute before serving — the glaze sets beautifully.
Notes
Nutritional Value (Per Serving – Approximate)
- Calories: ~280–320
- Protein: ~18–20g
- Fat: ~18g
- Carbohydrates: ~12–15g
- Sugar: ~4–6g
- Fiber: ~1g
- Sodium: ~600–700mg (can vary based on soy sauce and hoisin brand)
The nutritional information provided on this website is an estimate only and is intended for general guidance. We cannot guarantee its accuracy and recommend consulting a qualified healthcare professional or registered dietitian for personalized nutrition advice.