These air fryer chicken meatballs are a simple dish that is packed with delicious flavors. Each juicy ground chicken meatball leaves you yearning for the next. If you are looking for that perfect gluten free chicken meatballs recipe, give this one a try!
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These air fryer chicken meatballs are always a big hit when we have friends over because they taste so delicious. These low-fat ground chicken meatballs are plump and have just the right amount of sweetness. Nobody will know these gluten free chicken meatballs are gluten free!!
I include directions to cook these gluten free ground chicken meatballs in an Air Fryer or in the oven!
One of the things that we fell in love with this meatball recipe is the versatility they offer. For example, they are fancy enough to serve with a dip at a dinner party. But, they are low-key enough to have on a busy weeknight.
In addition, ground chicken is low-cost and makes a healthy option for budget entertaining. I have quite a few easy gluten free budget recipes if you are looking for more ideas.
If you love using an air fryer, check out all of my easy gluten free air fryer recipes!
Why This Recipe Is Great:
- These little meatballs are ready in under 20 minutes with an Air Fryer!!
- If you are having a party to watch the game with friends and family, these gluten free ground chicken meatballs are an excellent idea!
- Use any type of bread crumbs you like! Even fun things like crushed gluten free pretzels.
- You can make these chicken meatballs in the air fryer or bake them in the oven.
If you can't get enough meatball recipes, I have the ultimate list of tasty gluten free meatball recipes. Each one has something different to offer, so I am certain you will have several new favorites!
Ingredient Notes:
- Ground Chicken - I love using ground chicken in this recipe because it is low-fat and easy to use. You can use any ground meat you like.
- Gluten Free Panko or Bread Crumbs - You can buy these or make them with my easy Gluten Free Bread Crumbs Recipe.
- Dried herbs - Dried herbs bring flavor to the meatballs. Dried thyme and chives are really good, but you can substitute other herbs like oregano and basil.
- Egg - Use size large.
- See below for several fun dipping sauce ideas!
You can also try this easy ground turkey meatballs recipe in the air fryer!
Tips For Success:
- Make sure there is room for the hot air to circulate around each meatball.
- Use absorbent crumbs to prevent these gluten free chicken meatballs from drying out. Crushed potato chips taste good, but they don't hold moisture so they won't work well in this recipe.
- For best results, preheat the air fryer before adding the meatballs.
If you want to know what the best air fryers are for gluten free, I wrote up a great pros and cons list to help you decide!
I had a smaller 3.4-quart Corsori Air Fryer, but they no longer make the one I own. I am recommending the larger version of the air fryer I have. It frequently goes on sale so keep an eye out for sales!
- 1. The size is great for a family of 4.
- 2. Clean-up is really easy.
- 3. It cooks food really well.
- 1. The baskets are dishwasher safe, but tough to fit in our specific dishwasher model.
How To Make Air Fryer Chicken Meatballs :
Step 1: Add your raw ground chicken and the other ingredients to a bowl. Mix it well.
Step 2: Next, form the ground chicken into meatballs.
Step 3: Add the ground chicken meatballs into an air fryer. Note the space around each meatball.
Step 4: Cook these ground chicken meatballs in your air fryer for 12 minutes. Serve hot with a sauce to dip them in and enjoy!
Oven Baked Directions:
You can definitely make these in an oven instead of an air fryer. Bake at 350º F for 25 minutes. Make sure they have a cooked internal temperature of 165º F.
Dipping Sauce Ideas:
- Use the Asian sauce in my lettuce wraps recipe.
- Ketchup - My kid's favorite.
- Salsa - Use mild or spicy salsa.
- Marinara Sauce - This is my favorite, and you can also try this low sodium marinara if you are on a low-salt diet.
- Melted Cheese Dip - Because melty cheese makes everything great.
- Gluten Free Peanut Sauce- Mr. Fearless Dining loves this peanut sauce with everything,.
Recipe FAQ:
Your chicken meatballs are cooked when they have an internal temperature of 165 degrees F inside. Check with a digital thermometer by inserting it into the middle of a few of the meatballs.
These meatballs can be eaten plain, dipped in sauce, put into pasta sauce, and served in a meatball sub. You can also make them into very cool appetizers. Here are 4 fun appetizer recipes to make with meatballs.
Tough meatballs can be frustrating because they just don't taste as good as moist, delicious meatballs. You might be scratching your head and wondering why this happened. Odds are, there simply wasn't enough moisture in the meatballs as they cooked.
Chicken meatballs falling apart is the opposite issue as them being too dry. If you use too much binder in the meatballs, then they won't correctly hold together as they cook. I use a combination of gluten free panko, egg, garlic, and thyme. Make sure you use the amounts I recommend, so you don't have this issue.
You can use any ground meat to make this meatball recipe. Note that ground beef has a higher fat content and you may need to slightly increase the amount of gluten free bread crumbs to keep it from getting tough from cooking.
Place the raw meatballs on a
When you feel a meatball, it should be pretty hard and frozen.
Storage:
Store the leftover meatballs in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. Freeze them in a zipper-style freezer bag for up to 4 months.
More Gluten Free Meatball Recipes:
- If you need meatballs fast, this Instant Pot Gluten Free Barbecue Turkey Meatballs recipe is ready in no time!
- Nobody will know there is a veggie hidden inside these Gluten Free Bok Choy Meatballs!
- Grandma's cabbage rolls are made in an easier version...everyone loves this Instant Pot Deconstructed Stuffed Cabbage Meatballs recipe.
- These Gluten Free Sweet and Sour Meatballs make a great appetizer!
📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Gluten Free Ground Chicken Meatballs
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground chicken * see note
- ⅓ cup gluten free panko * see note
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 2 teaspoons chives fresh or dried
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 large egg
Instructions
- In a bowl, add all of the ingredients and mix well. Preheat the air fryer to 350º F.
- Use a spoon to take some of the raw chicken mixture and roll it into a meatball.
- Place the meatballs into the air fryer basket and repeat until you fill the air fryer basket.
- Make sure none of the meatballs are touching. You want the hot air to be able to circulate around each meatball.
- Cook for 15 minutes on 350º F.
- Enjoy!
Notes
- You can use ground beef, pork, or turkey for this recipe if you don't have ground chicken.
- You can buy or make homemade gluten free bread crumbs.
- Check the internal temperature to ensure your meatballs are 165º F to ensure they are done cooking.
- You can cook these in the oven if you don't have an air fryer. Bake at 350º F for 20-25 minutes. (Note the actual baking time will depend on the size of your meatballs.)
- These meatballs will keep up to 4 days in an air-tight container, or up to 4 months in the freezer.
SPECIAL NOTE
Please know that every gluten free flour blend has a different starch to grain ratio. If you use a blend I didn't test, you may need to adjust your moisture levels in your baked goods.
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the actual nutritional information with the products and brands you are using with your preferred nutritional calculator.
Fearless Dining
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This post was updated from an older August 2019 post with more detail.
Becky
Can you use almond flour in place of panko crumbs? I'd love to try the ground chicken, sweet and sour meatballs
Sandi Gaertner
Hi Becky, I have never tried subbing almond flour for panko in my recipes. If you try it, please let me know how it turns out.
Kelsey Breda
These were so easy to throw together! I didnt have enough room in my AF for all of them so i made the remaining mixture into a chix burger. YUM! Thank you!!!
Sandi Gaertner
I am so glad you liked them Kelsey. They are also freezable if you make a lot.
Jenni
What an easy and delicious appetizer! I want to dunk them in all the Red Duck!
Sandi Gaertner
Oooh, I like how you think!!
Beth
wow - thanks for the explanation on why meatballs can get tough. Also the options for cooking without an air fryer and other ideas for how to use them. Great post!
Sandi Gaertner
I am so glad to help Beth!!