Air Fryer Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs Deliciously Easy

September 23, 2025 by Charlotte

Are you ready to make dinner easy and delicious? These Air Fryer Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs are the perfect answer! Juicy ground beef meets melty mozzarella in a crispy shell, all with less mess and hassle. In this post, I’ll guide you step-by-step through crafting these savory bites. Plus, I’ll share tips, variations, and storage info to ensure your meal is a win. Let’s dive in!

Ingredients

Essential Ingredients

– 1 pound ground beef

– 1/2 cup breadcrumbs

– 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Seasoning and Herbs

– 1 teaspoon garlic powder

– 1 teaspoon dried oregano

– 1 teaspoon salt

– 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Additional Ingredients

– 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

– 1 cup mozzarella cheese, cut into small cubes

– 1 egg, beaten

– Marinara sauce, for dipping

These ingredients create a tasty and fun recipe. Ground beef is the star of this dish. I use it for a juicy and flavorful base. Breadcrumbs help bind the meatballs, giving them a nice texture. Grated Parmesan cheese adds a rich, savory flavor.

For seasoning, garlic powder and dried oregano bring warmth and depth. Salt and black pepper enhance all the flavors. Fresh parsley adds a bright note and makes the dish look great.

Don’t forget the mozzarella! It melts in the center, creating a delicious surprise. The beaten egg helps hold everything together. Finally, marinara sauce is perfect for dipping. It adds a tangy contrast to the rich meatballs.

Gather these ingredients, and you are ready to make a delightful dish!

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preparing the Meat Mixture

Start by grabbing a large mixing bowl. In this bowl, combine 1 pound of ground beef, 1/2 cup of breadcrumbs, and 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Then, add 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1 teaspoon of dried oregano, 1 teaspoon of salt, 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper, and 1/4 cup of chopped fresh parsley. Mixing these ingredients well gives your meatballs a great flavor.

Next, add 1 beaten egg to the mix. This egg helps bind the meat and keeps the meatballs moist. Use your hands to mix everything together until it’s nicely combined.

Forming the Meatballs

Now, it’s time to shape our meatballs. Take a small amount of the meat mixture, about the size of a golf ball. Flatten it in your palm to create a small disc. Place a cube of mozzarella cheese in the center of the disc. Then, carefully wrap the meat around the cheese, sealing it tight. Make sure the cheese is fully covered. Repeat this process until all the meat mixture is used up.

Cooking in the Air Fryer

Before cooking, preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for about 5 minutes. Once it’s hot, arrange the mozzarella stuffed meatballs in the air fryer basket. Make sure they have some space between them to cook evenly.

Air fry the meatballs for 12-15 minutes. Check for doneness by ensuring they are browned and cooked through. After cooking, carefully remove them and let them rest for a few minutes. Enjoy them with some marinara sauce for dipping!

Tips & Tricks

Ensuring Moisture and Flavor

To keep your meatballs juicy, avoid overmixing. Mix just until combined. This helps them hold moisture. Season well for the best taste. Use enough salt, pepper, and herbs. The balance of flavors is key. Don’t skimp on garlic powder or oregano. They bring a rich taste that makes the dish shine.

Optimal Cooking Temperature

Set your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Preheat it for about 5 minutes. This step ensures even cooking. Place the meatballs in a single layer. Give them space so hot air can flow. Cook for 12-15 minutes. Check for a golden-brown outside and a juicy inside. The texture should be firm but tender.

Serving Suggestions

Serve your meatballs with warm marinara sauce. It’s a classic match that enhances flavor. For sides, consider garlic bread or a fresh salad. These pairings add more to your meal. You can also serve them over pasta or in a sub. They make great sliders, too!

Variations

Protein Alternatives

You can switch up the protein in your meatballs. Use ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option. These meats have less fat, so your meatballs will be leaner. They still taste great when mixed with the same spices and cheese.

If you want a vegetarian option, try using lentils or chickpeas. You can mash them and add breadcrumbs to form the meatballs. This way, you keep all the fun flavors and textures while making it plant-based.

Flavor Enhancements

Changing up the cheese can also bring new flavors to your meatballs. Try using sharp cheddar or creamy gouda instead of mozzarella. Each cheese brings its unique taste and melts differently.

You can also add vegetables to the meat mixture. Chopped spinach, bell peppers, or grated carrots can boost flavor and nutrition. Just be sure to chop them finely, so they mix well with the meat.

International Twists

You can give your meatballs an international flair with different seasonings. For an Italian twist, add basil or crushed red pepper flakes. These herbs make your dish pop with flavor.

For a Mexican twist, use taco seasoning and add some diced jalapeños. This change will make your meatballs spicy and fun. Serve with salsa instead of marinara for a fresh take.

Storage Info

Storing Leftovers

After you enjoy your air fryer mozzarella stuffed meatballs, store any leftovers for later. Place the meatballs in a container with a tight seal. You can use glass or plastic containers. If you want, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. This keeps them fresh and tasty. Always let the meatballs cool down first before storing them.

Freezing Instructions

You can freeze these meatballs for easy meals later. If you have uncooked meatballs, freeze them before cooking. Place them on a baking sheet in a single layer and freeze for about an hour. Once frozen, move them to a freezer bag. For cooked meatballs, let them cool first. Then, pack them in a freezer-safe bag. To reheat, simply place them in the air fryer at 350°F for about 8-10 minutes.

Shelf Life

In the fridge, these meatballs last about 3-4 days. If you freeze them, they can last up to 3 months. Always check for signs of spoilage. If you see any off smells, discoloration, or a slimy texture, it’s best to throw them away. Keeping meatballs fresh is key for great flavor!

FAQs

How long to cook mozzarella stuffed meatballs in the air fryer?

Cook mozzarella stuffed meatballs in the air fryer for 12-15 minutes at 375°F (190°C). This time allows the meatballs to brown nicely and ensures they are fully cooked inside. Always check that the meatballs reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for safety.

Can I make these meatballs ahead of time?

Yes, you can make these meatballs ahead of time. Form the meatballs and store them in the fridge for up to 24 hours. If you want to freeze them, place the uncooked meatballs on a tray. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer bag for easy storage. To reheat, cook from frozen in the air fryer for about 15-18 minutes at 375°F (190°C).

What should I serve with air fryer mozzarella stuffed meatballs?

Pair these meatballs with marinara sauce for dipping. You can also serve them alongside spaghetti, garlic bread, or a fresh salad. Try adding some roasted vegetables for a healthy touch. These options will complement the flavors and make for a delicious meal.

This blog post covered how to make delicious air fryer mozzarella stuffed meatballs. You learned about essential and additional ingredients, like ground beef and mozzarella. I shared step-by-step instructions for preparing, forming, and cooking meatballs in the air fryer. Plus, I offered tips to keep them moist and tasty.

In the end, you can adjust flavors and ingredients to suit your taste. Enjoy experimenting with your meatballs!

$- 1 pound ground beef - 1/2 cup breadcrumbs - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese - 1 teaspoon garlic powder - 1 teaspoon dried oregano - 1 teaspoon salt - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped - 1 cup mozzarella cheese, cut into small cubes - 1 egg, beaten - Marinara sauce, for dipping These ingredients create a tasty and fun recipe. Ground beef is the star of this dish. I use it for a juicy and flavorful base. Breadcrumbs help bind the meatballs, giving them a nice texture. Grated Parmesan cheese adds a rich, savory flavor. For seasoning, garlic powder and dried oregano bring warmth and depth. Salt and black pepper enhance all the flavors. Fresh parsley adds a bright note and makes the dish look great. Don't forget the mozzarella! It melts in the center, creating a delicious surprise. The beaten egg helps hold everything together. Finally, marinara sauce is perfect for dipping. It adds a tangy contrast to the rich meatballs. Gather these ingredients, and you are ready to make a delightful dish! Start by grabbing a large mixing bowl. In this bowl, combine 1 pound of ground beef, 1/2 cup of breadcrumbs, and 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Then, add 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1 teaspoon of dried oregano, 1 teaspoon of salt, 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper, and 1/4 cup of chopped fresh parsley. Mixing these ingredients well gives your meatballs a great flavor. Next, add 1 beaten egg to the mix. This egg helps bind the meat and keeps the meatballs moist. Use your hands to mix everything together until it’s nicely combined. Now, it’s time to shape our meatballs. Take a small amount of the meat mixture, about the size of a golf ball. Flatten it in your palm to create a small disc. Place a cube of mozzarella cheese in the center of the disc. Then, carefully wrap the meat around the cheese, sealing it tight. Make sure the cheese is fully covered. Repeat this process until all the meat mixture is used up. Before cooking, preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for about 5 minutes. Once it’s hot, arrange the mozzarella stuffed meatballs in the air fryer basket. Make sure they have some space between them to cook evenly. Air fry the meatballs for 12-15 minutes. Check for doneness by ensuring they are browned and cooked through. After cooking, carefully remove them and let them rest for a few minutes. Enjoy them with some marinara sauce for dipping! To keep your meatballs juicy, avoid overmixing. Mix just until combined. This helps them hold moisture. Season well for the best taste. Use enough salt, pepper, and herbs. The balance of flavors is key. Don't skimp on garlic powder or oregano. They bring a rich taste that makes the dish shine. Set your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Preheat it for about 5 minutes. This step ensures even cooking. Place the meatballs in a single layer. Give them space so hot air can flow. Cook for 12-15 minutes. Check for a golden-brown outside and a juicy inside. The texture should be firm but tender. Serve your meatballs with warm marinara sauce. It's a classic match that enhances flavor. For sides, consider garlic bread or a fresh salad. These pairings add more to your meal. You can also serve them over pasta or in a sub. They make great sliders, too! {{image_2}} You can switch up the protein in your meatballs. Use ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option. These meats have less fat, so your meatballs will be leaner. They still taste great when mixed with the same spices and cheese. If you want a vegetarian option, try using lentils or chickpeas. You can mash them and add breadcrumbs to form the meatballs. This way, you keep all the fun flavors and textures while making it plant-based. Changing up the cheese can also bring new flavors to your meatballs. Try using sharp cheddar or creamy gouda instead of mozzarella. Each cheese brings its unique taste and melts differently. You can also add vegetables to the meat mixture. Chopped spinach, bell peppers, or grated carrots can boost flavor and nutrition. Just be sure to chop them finely, so they mix well with the meat. You can give your meatballs an international flair with different seasonings. For an Italian twist, add basil or crushed red pepper flakes. These herbs make your dish pop with flavor. For a Mexican twist, use taco seasoning and add some diced jalapeños. This change will make your meatballs spicy and fun. Serve with salsa instead of marinara for a fresh take. After you enjoy your air fryer mozzarella stuffed meatballs, store any leftovers for later. Place the meatballs in a container with a tight seal. You can use glass or plastic containers. If you want, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. This keeps them fresh and tasty. Always let the meatballs cool down first before storing them. You can freeze these meatballs for easy meals later. If you have uncooked meatballs, freeze them before cooking. Place them on a baking sheet in a single layer and freeze for about an hour. Once frozen, move them to a freezer bag. For cooked meatballs, let them cool first. Then, pack them in a freezer-safe bag. To reheat, simply place them in the air fryer at 350°F for about 8-10 minutes. In the fridge, these meatballs last about 3-4 days. If you freeze them, they can last up to 3 months. Always check for signs of spoilage. If you see any off smells, discoloration, or a slimy texture, it’s best to throw them away. Keeping meatballs fresh is key for great flavor! Cook mozzarella stuffed meatballs in the air fryer for 12-15 minutes at 375°F (190°C). This time allows the meatballs to brown nicely and ensures they are fully cooked inside. Always check that the meatballs reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for safety. Yes, you can make these meatballs ahead of time. Form the meatballs and store them in the fridge for up to 24 hours. If you want to freeze them, place the uncooked meatballs on a tray. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer bag for easy storage. To reheat, cook from frozen in the air fryer for about 15-18 minutes at 375°F (190°C). Pair these meatballs with marinara sauce for dipping. You can also serve them alongside spaghetti, garlic bread, or a fresh salad. Try adding some roasted vegetables for a healthy touch. These options will complement the flavors and make for a delicious meal. This blog post covered how to make delicious air fryer mozzarella stuffed meatballs. You learned about essential and additional ingredients, like ground beef and mozzarella. I shared step-by-step instructions for preparing, forming, and cooking meatballs in the air fryer. Plus, I offered tips to keep them moist and tasty. In the end, you can adjust flavors and ingredients to suit your taste. Enjoy experimenting with your meatballs!$