Italian Beef Meatballs
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For Italian meatballs, we swap plain breadcrumbs for Italian-seasoned ones and add parmesan and fresh basil. The fragrant herbs and salty cheese make a big difference. Get the complete recipe and air frying instructions here.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20)
- 1 large egg
- 1/3 cup Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Season it upThis variation is self-seasoned
Steps
- 01Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Mix until just combined.
- 02Roll into golf ball sized portions.
- 03Ready for the air fryer.
- 04Serve in marinara sauce over pasta, or on a sub roll with melted mozzarella.
Fresh basil makes a noticeable difference here. If you're buying parmesan, go for a block and grate it yourself. The pre-grated stuff in the green can has a chalky texture that doesn't melt into the meat the same way.
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How to Air Fry It
- 01Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- 02Place frozen, fully-cooked beef meatballs in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- 03Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 10-12 minutes.
- 04Shake the basket halfway through the cooking time to ensure even heating.
- 05Check that the meatballs are heated completely through to the center before serving.
Lightly spray the basket or tray before cooking.
Recipe Notes
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Season it up
Pairs well
Meal Prep
Stores 4 days refrigerated or 3 months frozen. Reheat at 350°F (175°C) for 4-5 minutes from fridge. Great for batch cooking.
Discussion
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