Air Fryer Beef Meatballs
Tender and juicy meatballs, quickly cooked in the air fryer, perfect as an appetizer or main course.
Steps
- 1
Finely chop the onion and garlic.
- 2
In a large bowl, mix the ground beef with onion, garlic, egg, breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, and paprika. Mix well.
- 3
Shape the mixture into 8 equal-sized meatballs.
- 4
Lightly brush the meatballs with olive oil.
- 5
Preheat the air fryer to 180°C (350°F).
- 6
Place the meatballs in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- 7
Cook for 15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
- 8
Check that the internal temperature reaches 71°C (160°F).
- 9
Let rest for 2 minutes before serving.
Shopping list
Ground beef, onion, garlic, egg, breadcrumbs, salt, black pepper, paprika, olive oil
Recipe story
Beef meatballs have origins in Ottoman cuisine, known as 'köfte'. The recipe spread across the Balkans and the Middle East, with each region adding its own spices. In Greece, they are called 'keftedes' and often served with tzatziki sauce. In Turkey, 'köfte' are grilled or fried. This air fryer version offers a healthier alternative while maintaining a crispy texture.
Ingredient Secrets
Black pepper
Known as 'black gold' in antiquity, pepper was so valuable that it served as currency and tribute. In the Middle Ages, Venetian merchants controlled the pepper trade, and individual peppercorns were often counted. Legend has it that when Alaric, king of the Visigoths, demanded tribute from Rome, he included 3,000 pounds of pepper.
Sea salt
Sea salt, extracted from ocean waters by evaporation, was one of the most precious goods of antiquity, used both as food and as currency. In ancient Rome, soldiers were paid with salt, which is the origin of the word 'salary'. Salt roads connected entire civilizations, and in the Middle Ages, salt was so valuable it was called 'white gold'.
Paprika
Paprika, a emblematic spice brought to Europe by Christopher Columbus from the New World. Although associated with Hungarian cuisine, its origins are in Central America, where it was used by the Aztecs.
Garlic
Native to Central Asia, garlic was already known in ancient Egypt, where it was given to slaves to boost their strength. In ancient Greece, athletes consumed it before competitions, and in Rome, legionaries considered it essential for courage. During the Middle Ages, it was used to ward off vampires and the plague.
Onion
Probably originating in Central or West Asia, onions were cultivated in ancient Egypt, where they were considered a symbol of eternity and placed in tombs. In ancient Greece, athletes ate them to balance their blood, and in Rome, they were a staple food for soldiers. During the Middle Ages, onions were believed to protect against arrows and the plague.
Olive oil
Originating in the Mediterranean basin, olive oil was already produced in ancient Crete 5,000 years ago. In ancient Greece, it was considered a gift from Athena and used in lamps, cosmetics, and religious ceremonies. The Romans spread it throughout the empire, and in the Middle Ages, monasteries preserved the tradition of its production.
Cloves
Cloves, the dried buds of the exotic Syzygium aromaticum tree, were one of the most prized spices of the ancient world, often called 'aromatic gold'. In the Middle Ages, Venetian merchants controlled the clove trade, bringing them from the Maluku Islands, the only place they grew, and selling them at exorbitant prices in Europe.
You may also like
Air Fryer S'mores – Quick Campfire Treat Without Fire
Misc
How to Reheat Frikandellen in Air Fryer: Quick and Crispy Recipe
Misc
How to Reheat Chicken in Air Fryer (Crispy and Juicy)
Misc
Crispy Reheated Chicken Pieces in Air Fryer
Misc
Stuffed Bell Pepper with Mozzarella in Air Fryer
Misc