Name: Air Fryer Chicken Meatball Lettuce Wraps
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Ingredients: 12 oz ground chicken; 1 large egg; 1/4 cup ricotta cheese; 2 tbsp garlic ((minced)); 1/4 tsp onion powder; 1/4 tsp dried thyme; 1/4 cup green onions ((chopped)); 1/4 cup cilantro ((chopped)); 1/4 tsp salt; 1/4 tsp pepper; 6 large lettuce wraps; 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes ((sliced)); 1/4 cup cucumber; 1 cup greek yogurt; 1 tbsp lemon juice; 1 tbsp olive oil; 1 tbsp garlic ((minced)); 1/4 cup cucumbers ((finley diced)); 1/4 tsp salt; 1/8 tsp dried dill; 1.5 cups grapes ((or choice of fruit))

Air Fryer Chicken Meatballs are a delicious and healthy way to enjoy this classic dish without the added fat and oil of traditional frying methods. Serving them in lettuce wraps makes them a healthy lunch idea you can enjoy during your busy work week.

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round plate with chicken meatball lettuce wraps served with grapes, healthy lunch idea

Air Fryer meatballs are a healthy lunch idea because they are:

Easy to Make: Meatballs can be made quickly and easily in an Air Fryer with minimal effort. You can prepare a large batch of meatballs in just a few minutes, which makes meal prep much easier and faster.
Healthy: Air fryer meatballs are healthier than traditional fried meatballs. They are cooked using hot air, which means they don’t need to be submerged in oil. This reduces the fat and calorie content of the meatballs and makes them a healthier option.
Versatile: Meatballs can be made with a variety of meats and flavors, making them a versatile, healthy lunch idea. You can make meatballs with beef, chicken, turkey, or even plant-based alternatives like tofu or lentils. You can also experiment with different herbs and spices to add flavor.
Freezer-friendly: Air fryer meatballs can be frozen and reheated easily. This means you can make a large batch of meatballs and freeze them for future meals. When you’re ready to eat, simply reheat them in the air fryer for a quick and easy meal.
Portion-controlled: Meatballs are a great way to control portion sizes for meal prep. You can make them in uniform sizes, which makes it easy to portion out your meals for the week. This is especially helpful if you’re trying to stick to a specific calorie or macro-nutrient goal.

Featured Ingredients

Ground Chicken
Egg
Ricotta
Garlic
Onion powder, dried thyme, salt, and pepper
Green Onions and Cilantro

You can use different types of ground meat such as turkey, chicken, pork, or a combination of meats. Just ensure you adjust the cooking time accordingly, as cooking times may vary for different types of meat.

cutting board with a silver mixing bowl filled with ground chicken, small containers filled with green onions, chopped cilantro, seasonings, olive oil, eggs, and ricotta cheese - healthy lunch idea

Variations of meatballs:

Italian-style meatballs: Add dried oregano, dried basil, and chopped fresh parsley to the mixture.
Asian-style meatballs: Use ground pork and add soy sauce, hoisin sauce, and chopped scallions to the mixture.
BBQ meatballs: Use ground beef and add BBQ sauce and chopped onion to the mixture.
Vegetarian meatballs: Use 1 can of drained and mashed chickpeas instead of ground meat, and add chopped fresh cilantro and ground cumin to the mixture.

How to Air Fry Chicken Meatballs:

Preheat the Air Fryer before cooking to ensure they cook evenly and quickly.
In a large mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients and mix well.
Shape the mixture into meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter.
Place the meatballs in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
Cook for 12-15 minutes, flipping the meatballs halfway through, until they are cooked through and browned on the outside.

Reference the recipe card below for detailed instructions.

glass meal prep containers filled with chicken meatball lettuce wraps - a healthy lunch idea

Meal Prep Tips for Air Fryer Meatballs

Make sure the meatballs are evenly sized to ensure even cooking.
Please note that cooking times may vary depending on the size of your meatballs and the temperature of your Air Fryer.
Experiment with different seasonings to find your favorite flavor combination.
If you’re short on time, you can make a big batch of meatballs and freeze them for later use. Simply reheat them in the air fryer when you’re ready to enjoy them.

round plate with chicken meatball lettuce wraps served with grapes

Air Fryer Chicken Meatball Lettuce Wraps

Easy to make Air Fryer Chicken Meatball Lettuce wraps that are great for meal prep.

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Prep Time 5

Cook Time 25

Course dinner, Main Course

Cuisine Mediterranean

Servings

Equipment

knife
cutting board
mixing bowl
sheet pan

Ingredients

Meatballs

12 oz ground chicken
1 large egg
1/4 cup ricotta cheese
2 tbsp garlic (minced)
1/4 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp dried thyme
1/4 cup green onions (chopped)
1/4 cup cilantro (chopped)
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper

Lettuce Wrap Ingredients

6 large lettuce wraps
1/2 cup cherry tomatoes (sliced)
1/4 cup cucumber

Yogurt dip

1 cup greek yogurt
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp garlic (minced)
1/4 cup cucumbers (finley diced)
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp dried dill

Optional

1.5 cups grapes (or choice of fruit)

Instructions

Pre-heat the Air Fryer for about 5 minutes at 360F.
In a mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken, eggs, seasonings, garlic, and ricotta. Use a fork or whisk to mix everything together. Next, add the chopped herbs and fold them in well.
Take small portions of the mixture and shape them into meatballs. You can use a small ice cream scoop or 2 spoons to portion out the meatballs (about 1 inch in diameter). Arrange the meatballs into the Air Fryer Basket in a single layer, making sure they are not touching each other. Coat them with cooking spray and cook them in the Air fryer for about 12 to 15 minutes at 360F. Flip them halfway through until they are browned and cooked through an internal temperature of 165F.
Meanwhile, in a small bowl, mix together the ingredients for the yogurt sauce. Once cooked, serve with lettuce wraps and top them off with fresh cucumbers and cherry tomatoes.
Serve with the yogurt sauce and your choice of fruit.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Frozen meatballs in the Air Fryer?

Yes, you can use frozen meatballs in the air fryer. Just make sure to add a few extra minutes to the cooking time to ensure they are fully cooked.

Can I make Air Fryer Meatballs without breadcrumbs?

Yes, you can make air fryer meatballs without breadcrumbs. You can use almond flour, crushed pork rinds, or even grated parmesan cheese as a substitute.