Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb Lean Ground Beef (90/10 preferred)
- 1/2 cup Plain Breadcrumbs (or Panko for extra crunch)
- 1 large Egg, beaten
- 1/2 cup Your favorite BBQ Sauce (plus extra for dipping)
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1 tsp Onion Powder
- 1/2 tsp Smoked Paprika
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/4 tsp Black Pepper
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, beaten egg, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Use your hands or a fork to gently mix the ingredients until just combined. Be careful not to overwork the meat, as this can make the meatballs tough. Once mixed, scoop about 1.5 tablespoons of the mixture and roll it between your palms to form a ball roughly the size of a golf ball. Repeat until you have approximately 16 to 18 meatballs. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3 minutes.
- Lightly spray the air fryer basket with a non-stick cooking spray or olive oil. Place the meatballs in the basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not touching so the air can circulate freely. If your air fryer is small, work in batches. Cook the meatballs at 400°F for 8 to 10 minutes. Halfway through the cooking time, shake the basket gently or use tongs to rotate the meatballs to ensure even browning on all sides.
- Open the air fryer and use a pastry brush to coat each meatball generously with BBQ sauce. Alternatively, you can transfer the meatballs to a bowl, toss them in the sauce, and return them to the basket. Air fry for an additional 2 minutes at 400°F. This step allows the sugar in the BBQ sauce to caramelize and become sticky. Remove the meatballs from the air fryer, garnish with freshly chopped parsley, and serve immediately while hot.
- Cook Time: 27 minutes