These air fryer chicken meatballs are a simple dish that is healthy and packed with lots of sweet and sour flavors. Each juicy chicken meatball leaves you yearning for the next. Plus, ground chicken is low cost and makes a healthy option for budget entertaining.
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These addictive air fryer chicken meatballs are always a hit because they taste so delicious. These low-fat chicken meatballs are plump and have just the right amount of sweetness. You can cook these ground chicken meatballs in an Air Fryer or in the oven!
I think what draws the Fearless Dining household towards meatball recipes is the versatility they offer. For example, they are fancy enough to serve at a dinner party. But, they are low-key enough to have on a busy weeknight.
If you love using an air fryer, check out all of my easy gluten free air fryer recipes!
Why these chicken meatballs are 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 smooshed 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 rice crumbs - In case you are wondering what the heck Rice Crumbs are, they are a new gluten free item at Trader Joe's. They work beautifully in place of gluten free breadcrumbs!
- Dried herbs - Dried herbs bring flavor to the meatballs. Dried thyme and chives are really good, but you can sub other herbs like oregano and basil.
How to make air fryer chicken meatballs :
Step 1: Add your raw ground chicken and the other ingredients to a bowl. Mix it well. You can use store-bought gluten free bread crumbs, rice crumbs (described above), or make your own homemade gluten free bread crumbs.
Step 2: Next, form the ground chicken into meatballs.
Add the ground chicken meatballs into an air fryer.
Air Fryer TIP: Make sure there is room for the hot air to circulate around each meatball. You can also try this easy ground turkey meatballs recipe in the air fryer!
Cook in your air fryer for 12 minutes. 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.
Sauces to dip air fryer chicken meatballs in:
Plus, you get a craving for some Asian take-out, you can whip up a batch and nibble on these low-fat chicken meatballs dipped in this gluten free Asian sauce. Oh, and one more thing, your friends and family won't realize these are gluten free unless you tell them!
You can also dip them in:
Tips and 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.
Yes, you can actually freeze these gluten free ground chicken meatballs while they are raw. If you haven't tried flash-freezing food yet, this is a great time to learn. To flash freeze, lay the meatballs on a cookie sheet or in a baking pan.
Place the raw meatballs on a cookie sheet and make sure they do not touch each other. Then place the pan in the freezer for around 2 hours.
When you feel a meatball, it should be pretty hard and frozen. Then you can add all the meatballs together into a freezer-safe container. They will last around 4 months
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.
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 made in an easier version...everyone loves this Instant Pot Deconstructed Stuffed Cabbage Meatballs recipe.
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 salt
- 2 teaspoons chives
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- 1 egg
Instructions
- In a bowl, add all of the ingredients and mix well.
- Open the air fryer and remove the tray.
- Use a spoon to take some of the raw chicken mixture and roll it into a meatball.
- Place in the air fryer 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.
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.
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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!!