Description
These Air Fryer Ground Turkey Meatballs are juicy, flavorful, and quick to prepare. Featuring a smoky-sweet chipotle sauce made from honey, chipotle peppers, and apple cider vinegar, these meatballs are baked to perfection in the air fryer. With no breadcrumbs or eggs, they offer a lighter yet delicious alternative perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2-3 chipotle in adobo peppers (from the can)
- ¾ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
Meatballs
- 1 pound ground turkey
- ¼ cup almond flour
- 3 tablespoons honey chipotle sauce (from above)
- 1 teaspoon dried chives (optional)
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce: Combine honey, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, chipotle peppers, sea salt, garlic powder, and ground cumin in a blender. Blend on high for about 1 minute until the sauce is smooth and well emulsified.
- Mix Meatball Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine almond flour, 3 tablespoons of the prepared honey chipotle sauce, dried chives (if using), ½ teaspoon sea salt, and ½ teaspoon garlic powder. Stir to evenly distribute the ingredients.
- Add Ground Turkey: Add the ground turkey into the bowl with the dry ingredients and sauce. Gently stir to combine, being careful not to overmix to keep the meatballs tender.
- Form Meatballs: Using a tablespoon or small scoop, portion out the mixture to form 14-15 evenly sized meatballs, placing them on a plate or tray as you go.
- Preheat and Prepare Air Fryer: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with olive oil or avocado oil to prevent sticking.
- Air Fry Meatballs: Arrange the meatballs in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don’t touch or overlap. Set the air fryer to 375°F and cook for a total of 14 minutes.
- Flip Halfway: After 8 minutes of cooking, pause the air fryer and carefully flip each meatball using silicone-lined tongs to ensure even browning and cooking. Resume cooking for the remaining 6 minutes.
- Cool and Serve: Once cooked through, remove the meatballs and let them cool for 3-5 minutes before serving. Optionally, top with additional honey chipotle sauce to taste for an extra burst of flavor.
Notes
- These turkey meatballs are juicy and flavorful with a delightful smoky-sweet chipotle punch.
- Made without breadcrumbs or eggs, making them lighter and suitable for gluten-sensitive diets.
- Ready in just 20 minutes, ideal for quick weeknight dinners.
- Use almond flour as a low-carb, gluten-free binder alternatively to breadcrumbs.
- Chipotle peppers in adobo add heat; adjust quantity based on your spice preference.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 3-4 meatballs)
- Calories: 274 kcal
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 430 mg
- Fat: 13 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 13 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 29 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
