Turkey Meatballs

Learn how to make turkey meatballs with lean ground turkey, baked or air-fried, that taste just like the classic Italian meatballs you love!

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 20

Total Time 25

Makes

Calories 115kcal

Author Pretty Providence

Cost $8

Equipment

medium mixing bowl
Measuring Spoons
#30 Cookie Scoop (optional)
Air Fryer (optional)
sheet pan (optional)

Ingredients

1 pound ground turkey I use 93/7 ground turkey
1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
1 small onion finely chopped
1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon ground pepper

Instructions

In a medium mixing bowl, combine ground turkey, Worcestershire sauce, onion, poultry seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly.
Using an optional #30 cookie scoop (2+ Tablespoons), scoop and gently form meatballs, placing them on a sheet pan. Do not pack the formed meatballs, just form them into balls.
Place formed meatballs into the air fryer basket in a single layer (you may need to cook additional batches depending on your basket size).

Air Fry Instructions

Set the air fryer to air fry (390 degrees). Set the timer for 7 minutes. Press start.
The meatballs will be done with the air fryer shuts off. With a digital thermometer, ensure the internal temperature of the meatballs has reached 165 degrees Fahrenheit or 74 degrees Celsius.
Remove the meatballs with tongs, being careful not to touch the sides of the hot appliance.

Oven Instructions

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C)
Place formed meatballs about 1" apart on the baking sheet.
Bake turkey meatballs in the oven for 18 – 20 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
Serve plain, with your favorite sauce, in your favorite recipe, or store for later in the refrigerator or freezer.

Notes

If the ground turkey itself is overly juicy, after cooking, the juices may leak out and cook and leak out leaving a light colored, not meat textured ‘blemish’. I just remove these
‘blemishes’ as I remove the meatballs from the air fryer.

If your ground turkey mixture feels overly wet or sticky, refrigerate it for 15 – 20 minutes before scooping. This makes shaping easier and helps them hold their form better.

For crispier outsides, spray the tops of the meatballs lightly with oil before air frying.

Recipe Enhancements:

Consider adding optional flavor boosters to match how you are planning to serve them (e.g., fresh garlic, chopped parsley, red pepper flakes).
Finely grating the onion or lightly sautéing it first can reduce moisture and improve
texture if you have juicier turkey blends.

Nutrition