Air Fryer Ground Turkey Meatballs
Let’s be honest, turkey meatballs are usually pretty bland. That’s why I created these honey chipotle air fryer turkey meatballs. The smoky-sweet sauce brings so much flavor, and the air fryer keeps them juicy while making cleanup a breeze. If you’ve been searching for ground turkey meatballs in the air fryer that actually taste amazing, you’re in the right place.
I’ve tested this recipe multiple times to get the flavor and texture just right, and every single time they disappear fast in my house. Between the honey chipotle sauce, the simple pantry friendly ingredients, and the quick 20 minute cook time, these air fryer turkey meatballs have become a reader favorite and one of my most reliable weeknight dinners.
If you love using your air fryer to make quick and flavorful meals, you’ll definitely want to try a few of my other favorites. These air fryer chicken burgers are juicy and satisfying, my air fryer chicken meatballs are just as easy (and taste like pizza), and the air fryer sweet and sour chicken is a better-than-takeout dinner ready in no time.
Ingredient spotlight
These are a few of the ingredients I think deserve some attention. A full list of ingredients is below in the recipe card.
- Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce – these little peppers add spice and a smokiness to the sauce. You only need 2-3 of these peppers from the jar. If you don’t love spicy food, only use 2.
- Honey – honey helps to mellow out the heat from the peppers and also helps to balance out the sauce. If you don’t have honey, you could use maple syrup.
- Ground turkey – to help the turkey meatballs stay moist, I use 85% ground turkey (which has 15% fat). However, if you are trying to lighten up the recipe, you could use a 93% blend and it would still work out well. Just be sure to keep an eye on these and take them out as soon as they reach 165F or they will dry out quickly. Swap the turkey for ground chicken or ground beef if needed.
- Almond flour – almond flour is used to bind the meatballs instead of breadcrumbs. If you don’t have almond flour or have to be nut free, you can use your favorite gluten free breadcrumb (not panko though).
How to make air fryer turkey meatballs
Start by making the honey chipotle sauce. In a blender combine the chipotle in adobo, honey, apple cider vinegar, olive oil and spices. Blend well until completely smooth. 
In a large bowl, add a few tablespoons o honey chipotle sauce, almond flour and spices. Stir this mixture together well. Add the ground turkey to the honey chipotle mixture and mix well, but don’t overmix or the meatballs will be tough. Use a tablespoon scoop to portion out the turkey meatballs easily. Spray the air fryer basket with olive oil or avocado oil spray (be sure there are not any other ingredients, as they can degrade the coating on your basket). Place meatballs directly in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook at 375F for 14 minutes. After 8 minutes, pause the air fryer and carefully flip the meatballs using silicone tipped tongs. Be gentle with the meatballs, they will be very tender and delicate at this time. Finish cooking for the remaining 6 minutes. Let cool 2-3 minutes before removing from the basket. When serving, spoon over additional honey chipotle sauce as desired.
Tips for success
- Doubling the recipe? – Cook the meatballs in batches in the air fryer or bake them in the oven instead.
- Use parchment liners for easier cleanup – Air fryer parchment liners with holes help reduce cleanup while still allowing air to circulate properly.
Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs with Honey Chipotle Sauce
Ingredients
Honey Chipotle 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
Ground Turkey Meatballs
- 1 pound ground turkey
- ¼ cup almond flour
- 3 tablespoons honey chipotle sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried chives - optional
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Start by making the sauce, combine all the ingredients in the blender and blend on high until smooth about 1 minute.2 tablespoons honey, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 2-3 chipotle in adobo peppers , ¾ teaspoon sea salt, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
- In a large bowl, combine the almond flour, 3 tablespoons of the sauce, chives, salt and garlic powder. Stir well.¼ cup almond flour, 3 tablespoons honey chipotle sauce, 1 teaspoon dried chives, ½ teaspoon sea salt, ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Add the ground turkey to the bowl and stir until well combined (try not to overmix though).1 pound ground turkey
- Use a tablespoon scoop or a spoon to portion out the meatballs. You should get 14-15 meatballs.
- Spray the air fryer basket with olive oil or avocado oil. Add the turkey meatballs to the basket, making sure they don't overlap. Turn air fryer on 375F for 14 minutes. After 8 minutes, pause the air fryer and carefully flip the meatballs with silicone lined tongs. Continue to cook the remaining 6 minutes.
- Once meatballs are done cooking, let them cool 3-5 minutes before enjoying.
- Top with the extra honey chipotle sauce (to your liking).
Equipment
Recipe Notes
- Don’t overwork the turkey – For tender meatballs, mix the sauce, spices, and almond flour together first before adding the ground turkey. This helps prevent overmixing.
- Don’t pack the meatballs too tightly – Gently form the meatballs so they cook evenly and stay tender.
- Cook in a single layer – Do not stack the meatballs in the air fryer or they may cook unevenly. Cook in batches if needed.
- Don’t increase the temperature – Because of the honey in the sauce, these meatballs brown quickly. Cooking at a higher temperature can cause them to burn before they cook through.
- Air fryers vary – You may need to add or subtract 1–2 minutes depending on your specific air fryer model.
- To bake in the oven, place on parchment paper line baking sheet and cook in preheated 400F oven for 15 minutes.
- In the air fryer at 375F for 3-5 minutes until warmed through.
- In the microwave on high for 1:30-2 minutes.
- In the oven at 350F for 10 minutes.
Nutrition Information
Other flavors to try
These air fryer turkey meatballs are easy to switch up depending on what flavors you’re craving:
- Pesto: Replace the honey chipotle sauce with pesto and swap the cumin for Italian seasoning.
- Chimichurri: Use chimichurri sauce instead of the honey chipotle sauce.
- Buffalo: Replace the sauce with buffalo sauce and swap the cumin for ½ teaspoon dried dill.
- Teriyaki: Use teriyaki sauce instead of the honey chipotle sauce and omit the cumin.
- Italian: Skip the honey chipotle sauce and instead add tomato paste, balsamic vinegar, and Italian seasoning. Serve with marinara sauce for dipping.
- BBQ: Replace the honey chipotle sauce with your favorite BBQ sauce.
Ways to Serve Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs
- Serve with mashed potatoes and a simple vegetable side dish
- Pair with rice or yellow rice for an easy weeknight dinner
- Add to bowls with roasted vegetables or salad
- Turn leftovers into tacos for an easy second meal later in the week
Common questions
Can I double the recipe for meal prep?
Yes! Double the recipe to enjoy throughout the week or freeze some for later. For the best results, cook the meatballs in two separate batches in the air fryer or bake them all at once in the oven if you want a quicker option than multiple air fryer batches.
Can I Freeze These Turkey Meatballs?
Yes. These meatballs freeze well both before and after cooking.
After Cooking
Let the cooked meatballs cool completely in the fridge, then freeze them on a parchment-lined baking sheet until solid. Transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze for up to 3 months.
- To reheat from thawed: Thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat in the air fryer at 375°F for 4–5 minutes or microwave until warmed through.
- To reheat from frozen: Cook in the air fryer at 350°F for 6–9 minutes.
Before Cooking
Portion the raw meatballs onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze until solid. Transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Freeze the honey chipotle sauce separately.
To cook from frozen: Air fry at 375°F for 16–18 minutes.
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