Air Fryer Firecracker Chicken Meatballs
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
18 mins
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Cook Time
12 mins
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Total Time
30 mins
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Servings
6 servings
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Calories
548 kcal
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Course
Main Course, Appetizer
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Cuisine
Chinese
Air Fryer Firecracker Chicken Meatballs
Description
This recipe involves mixing ground chicken with olive oil, garlic, chives, salt, onion powder, pepper, smoked paprika, eggs, panko breadcrumbs, and Parmesan cheese. The mixture is shaped into roughly 2-inch meatballs and cooked in an air fryer or oven. Meanwhile, the firecracker sauce is prepared by simmering brown sugar, hot sauce, apple cider vinegar, light soy sauce, garlic powder, salt, and red pepper flakes until thickened.
The cooked meatballs are dipped or tossed in the sauce and baked briefly again to set the glaze, resulting in tender meatballs with a glossy, sticky coating. The sauce’s sweetness counters the spicy notes, while the Parmesan and seasonings inside promote a rich, savory profile.
This dish is suitable for serving as a main or appetizer with garnishes such as minced parsley. The recipe makes 18-21 meatballs, and calorie counts vary depending on sauce usage.
Instructions include baking at high heat for 12-13 minutes, dipping in sauce, then baking an additional couple of minutes. Sauce thickness can be adjusted with water after cooking if needed for easier coating.
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 Tbsp minced chives optional but recommended
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 3/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 2 large egg lightly beaten
- 2 lbs. ground chicken or ground turkey
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan Cheese
- 2 Tbsp minced parsley optional - for garnish
Firecracker Sauce
- 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup hot sauce we normally use Franks
- 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce light
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt use less if your soy sauce was regular instead of light or reduced sodium
- 1/2 - 1 tsp red pepper flakes
Instructions
Make firecracker sauce
- In a small saucepan, add all firecracker sauce ingredients (brown sugar, hot sauce, vinegar, soy sauce, garlic powder, salt, and red pepper flakes).
- Cook over MED heat, stirring often, until sauce is combined and thickened. This will take about 7-10 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.
- Be aware the sauce will thicken as it cools, but if it gets TOO thick during the cooling process, add a teaspoon of water at a time until it reaches the consistency you're looking for.
Make the meatballs
- In a large mixing bowl, add olive oil, garlic, chives, salt, onion powder, pepper, smoked paprika, and eggs, and whisk well to combine.
- Add the ground chicken, panko, and Parmesan cheese and use your hands to combine, being careful not to over mix. Over mixing meatballs can yield meatballs that are tough, instead of tender.
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F.
- Scoop meat (we like to use a cookie scoop), and form into meatballs, roughly 2 inches in diameter.
- Spray the basket of the air fryer with nonstick cooking spray (we like to use an olive oil or avocado oil spray), then add meatballs in a single layer. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in batches.
- Spray the meatballs with nonstick spray and air fry at 400°F for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes is up, use tongs to flip meatballs over, spray again with oil spray, then air fry another 5-7 minutes.
- Meatballs are done cooking when an instant read thermometer reads 165°F.
Glaze meatballs
- Remove meatballs and dip them, one at a time, in the firecracker sauce. After dipping one, return the meatball to the air fryer basket and repeat for all remaining meatballs.
- Air fry for 2 more minutes, then remove and serve with any remaining sauce. Sprinkle with parsley if desired.
Notes
- This recipe yields about 18-21 meatballs.
- Calorie counts per serving assume full sauce usage, but actual calories may be less depending on sauce amount consumed.
- Preheat oven to 475°F and line a baking sheet with foil before cooking meatballs.
- After cooking meatballs, dip each in sauce, then return to baking sheet for an additional 2 minutes to set glaze.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 548 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 548kcal | 27% |
| Carbohydrates | 43g | 14% |
| Protein | 39g | 78% |
| Fat | 25g | 38% |
| Saturated Fat | 8g | 40% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4g | 24% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 11g | 55% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 205mg | 68% |
| Sodium | 1859mg | 77% |
| Potassium | 1005mg | 21% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 29g | 58% |
| Vitamin A | 1030IU | 21% |
| Vitamin C | 23mg | 26% |
| Calcium | 327mg | 33% |
| Iron | 4mg | 22% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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