Air Fryer Firecracker Meatballs

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Full of flavor and spice, the Air Fryer Firecracker Meatballs recipe is perfect for any occasion. Serve them with toothpicks for an easy appetizer or over rice for a complete meal.

Air Fryer Firecracker Meatballs Recipe

Are you looking for a unique and delicious recipe to try in your air fryer? Then check out these amazing air fryer firecracker meatballs!

They are full of flavor and spice and are perfect for any occasion.

These firecracker air fried meatballs are made with ground beef, bread crumbs, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, egg, and milk.

Plus, they are so easy to make that anyone can cook them up.

Air Fryer Firecracker Meatballs Recipe

These air fryer meatballs are great for feeding a crowd and can be served as an appetizer or main dish.

Serve them with toothpicks for an easy appetizer or over rice for a complete meal.

You will love how simple they are to make and how delicious they taste!

These firecracker meatballs are sure to be a hit with your family and friends!

Air Fryer Firecracker Meatballs Recipe

So give this recipe a try today and enjoy the fireworks!

(makes about 26 but it depends on the size of your meatballs)

Prep time: 25 minutes

Cook time: about 15 minutes per batch 

Ingredients:

Air Fryer Meatballs Ingredients

  • Olive oil
  • Garlic, minced
  • Kosher salt
  • Onion powder
  • Black pepper
  • Smoked paprika
  • Eggs lightly beaten
  • Ground beef
  • Panko bread crumbs
  • Shredded Parmesan cheese
  • Sesame seeds
  • Minced parsley (add more if using for garnish)

Firecracker Sauce

  • Packed light brown sugar
  • Buffalo sauce
  • Apple cider vinegar
  • Low sodium soy sauce
  • Garlic powder
  • Salt 
Air Fryer Firecracker Meatballs Recipe

Can I Substitute Frozen Meatballs

Yes, absolutely. Just prepare the meatballs according to the package directions and skip the instructions for making the homemade meatballs.

How Long Does It Take To Cook Frozen Meatballs In The Air Fryer

I like to prepare frozen meatballs in the air fryer versus the microwave because they come out so much more juicier.

Large meatballs for my meatball subs are what I used and left them in the air fryer for approximately eight minutes at 390 degrees F.

Air Fryer Firecracker Meatballs Recipe

I did shake the basket to rotate them every two minutes.

If I were using the smaller meatballs, I would probably leave them in the ninja foodi for about 6 minutes while shaking around every two minutes as well.

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How to Make Air Fried Meatballs

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes.

Add your ingredients for your meatballs to a large bowl. Mix well. 

Air Fryer Firecracker Meatballs Recipe

Using a cookie scoop or your hands, roll 2-inch Meatballs between the palm of your hands to form a ball.

Air Fryer Firecracker Meatballs Recipe

Lightly spray your basket for your air fryer with cooking spray. Add your meatballs to your basket. Be sure to not overcrowd. Spray your meatballs with cooking spray.

Air Fryer Firecracker Meatballs Recipe

Cook your meatballs at 400°F for 10 minutes. Flip them over and cook for an additional 5 minutes or until your beef reaches an internal temperature of 140°F – 155°F. Spray with cooking spray one more time.

Repeat steps 3 – 5 until your meatballs are cooked.

Air Fryer Firecracker Meatballs Recipe

Warm your saucepan on medium-high heat. Once hot, add the ingredients for your sauce to a small saucepan.

Continue to whisk for 5 to 7 minutes, or until the sauce thickens.

Prepare Your Air Fryer Meatballs

In a large bowl, add your meatballs. Pour your sauce over the meatballs and stir to evenly coat your meatballs.

Air Fryer Firecracker Meatballs Recipe

Serve as is with a side of vegetables, over rice, or as an appetizer. Enjoy warm.

Air Fryer Firecracker Meatballs Recipe
Air Fryer Firecracker Meatballs Recipe

Air Fryer Firecracker Meatballs Recipe

Mary
Full of flavor and spice, the Air Fryer Firecracker Meatballs recipe is perfect for any occasion. Serve them with toothpicks for an easy appetizer or over rice for a complete meal.
5 from 2 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Air Fryer
Cuisine American
Servings 25
Calories 169 kcal

Ingredients
  

Meatballs:

  • 2 Tbsp olive oil
  • 3 Tbsp garlic minced
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 3/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 2 large eggs lightly beaten
  • 2 lbs. ground beef
  • 1 cup panko
  • 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup sesame seeds
  • 2 Tbsp minced parsley add more if using for garnish

Firecracker Sauce:

  • 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup Buffalo sauce
  • 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 Tbsp low sodium soy sauce
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes.
    Air Fryer Firecracker Meatballs Recipe
  • Add your ingredients for your meatballs to a large bowl. Mix well. 
    Air Fryer Firecracker Meatballs Recipe
  • Using a cookie scoop or your hands, roll 2-inch Meatballs between the palm of your hands to form a ball.
    Air Fryer Firecracker Meatballs Recipe
  • Lightly spray your basket for your air fryer with cooking spray. Add your meatballs to your basket. Be sure to not overcrowd. Spray your meatballs with cooking spray.
    Air Fryer Firecracker Meatballs Recipe
  • Cook your meatballs at 400°F for 10 minutes. Flip them over and cook for an additional 5 minutes or until your beef reaches an internal temperature of 140°F – 155°F. Spray with cooking spray one more time. Repeat steps 3 – 5 until your meatballs are cooked.
    Air Fryer Firecracker Meatballs Recipe
  • Warm your saucepan on medium-high heat. Once hot, add the ingredients for your sauce to a small saucepan. Continue to whisk for 5 to 7 minutes, or until the sauce thickens.
    Air Fryer Firecracker Meatballs Recipe
  • Prepare Your Air Fryer Meatballs
  • In a large bowl, add your meatballs. Pour your sauce over the meatballs and stir to evenly coat your meatballs.
    Air Fryer Firecracker Meatballs Recipe
  • Serve as is with a side of vegetables, over rice, or as an appetizer. Enjoy warm.
    Air Fryer Firecracker Meatballs Recipe

Video

Notes

Can I Substitute Frozen Meatballs

Yes, absolutely. Just prepare the meatballs according to the package directions and skip the instructions for making the homemade meatballs.

How Long Does It Take To Cook Frozen Meatballs In The Air Fryer

I like to prepare frozen meatballs in the air fryer versus the microwave because they come out so much more juicier.
I used large meatballs for my meatball subs and left them in the air fryer for approximately eight minutes at 390 degrees F.
I did shake the basket to rotate them every two minutes.
If I were using the smaller meatballs, I would probably leave them in the ninja foodi for about 6 minutes while shaking around every two minutes as well.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 169kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 12gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 48mgSodium: 337mgSugar: 6g
Keyword air fried, air fryer, appetizer, bbq, firecracker, football, football snacks, game day, game day recipes, ground beef, July 4th, meatballs, ninja, ninja foodi, spicy, super bowl, super bowl recipes, superbowl, tailgating foods, tailgating recipes, tailgating snacks
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Air Fryer Firecracker Meatballs Recipe

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2 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    The firecracker meatballs are easy to make and perfect for anytime not only the 4th of July. Making these for every party.

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