Air Fryer Meatballs in Firecracker Sauce

A close up of an air fryer meatball on a toothpick

Air Fryer Meatballs in Firecracker Sauce

Air Fryer Meatballs in Firecracker Sauce turn juicy ground beef into sticky, spicy bites coated in an Asian-inspired glaze that feels bold but still easy for busy nights. This firecracker meatballs recipe is homemade from scratch and walks you through how to cook meatballs in the air fryer so they’re tender inside and perfectly coated outside.

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 15

Total Time 25

Course Appetizer, Main Course, Snack

Cuisine Asian

Servings meatballs

Calories 155 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

For the air fryer meatballs

2 tablespoons olive oil
6 small cloves garlic minced
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon onion powder
¾ teaspoon black pepper freshly ground if possible
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
2 large eggs lightly beaten
2 pounds ground beef 85/15 preferred
1 cup panko bread crumbs
½ cup Parmesan cheese shredded not grated
¼ cup sesame seeds
2 tablespoons fresh parsley minced, plus extra for garnish

For the firecracker sauce

¾ cup light brown sugar packed
½ cup Frank's RedHot Sauce or buffalo sauce of your choice
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon low sodium soy sauce
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon salt more or less to taste

Instructions

For the air fryer meatballs

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes.
Add the ingredients for the meatballs to a large bowl and mix well with your hands.
Using a cookie scoop for portion size, roll a 2-inch meatball between the palms of your hands to form a ball.
Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Add the meatballs to your basket, being careful not to crowd the basket. Spray your meatballs with cooking spray.
Cook the meatballs at 400°F for 10 minutes. Flip them over and cook for an additional 5 minutes or until they reach an internal temperature of 140°F.
Repeat until all the meatballs are cooked.

For the firecracker sauce

Warm a small saucepan on medium-high heat. Once hot, add the ingredients for your sauce. Whisk often for 5 to 7 minutes, or until the sauce thickens.

To serve the firecracker meatballs

Place the meatballs in a large bowl. Pour the hot sauce over the meatballs and toss to evenly coat them.
Serve warm with a side of vegetables, over rice, or as a party appetizer.

Notes

Note that the cook time given is the time for one batch of meatballs. Each batch takes approximately 15 minutes. You will likely have 2-4 batches, depending on the size of your air fryer basket.

Nutrition

Keyword buffalo, ground beef, meatballs

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