Air Fryer Cheese Stuffed Meatballs filled with luscious burrata and topped with a warm marinara sauce. These juicy, flavorful meatballs are perfect for dinner or as an appetizer for your next party!
Love Air Fryer Recipes? Then you’ll definitely want to try my Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Breast, Air Fryer Buffalo Wings, or Honey Garlic Air Fryer Salmon next!
I must say, I really do have a thing for meatballs. I love meatball subs, meatballs with pasta, meatballs in my soup — I just love meatballs! My favorites are my gluten-free meatballs with marinara and my Greek chicken meatballs, but I wanted to step it up a notch and try something different and make stuffed meatballs!
I guarantee this air fryer cheese-stuffed meatball recipe will blow your mind! It’s incredibly simple to make, requiring only a few ingredients, less than 20 minutes of your time, AND they taste phenomenal! Plus, they are naturally gluten-free (yes, delicious juicy gluten-free meatballs without breadcrumbs!) and can be made dairy-free by opting for vegan cheese.
Air Fryer Burrata Stuffed Meatballs
I should call this recipe, “clean out the fridge meatballs” because that is exactly how this recipe came about. I made these meatballs after discovering I only had Trader Joe’s Burrata filled with Cream, ground beef, and a few peppers left in the fridge. So, on the spur of the moment, I decided to make these air fryer cheese stuffed meatballs!
These Air Fryer Cheese Stuffed Meatballs are tender, moist, perfectly seasoned, and oozing with mouthwatering cheesy goodness!
What You Need To Make These Air Fry Cheese Stuffed Meatballs
- Ground Meat: I use ground beef to make my meatballs, but you can also use ground turkey, chicken, bison, lamb, or pork! All are great options! (I have not tried this recipe with ground alternative meat, like Beyond Meat. If you try it, please let me know how it goes!)
- Cheese: I use Trader Joe’s Burrata filled with Cream and delicately slice it into small pieces to fill each meatball. You can also use fresh mozzarella and cut it into smaller pieces or buy it packaged as small individual balls.
- Egg: The egg is used to help bind the ingredients together so that the meatballs do not fall apart. It also keeps the meatballs from drying out.
- Seasonings: I use Italian Seasoning, Paprika, Chili Powder, Garlic Powder, Salt, Pepper, and Red Crushed Peppers.
- Onion and Jalapeno: I like to add minced jalapeno and onion for added texture and flavor
How To Make Air Fry Cheese Stuffed Meatballs
- Prepare the ground meat mixture by combining all the ingredients (except the cheese).
- Preheat the air fryer to 370F for 5 minutes.
- Scoop 3 tablespoons of the mixture and form into 2 small flat patties. Place a cube of cheese in the middle of one of the patties and use the other to place it on top. Pinch meat up around cheese to seal and form into a ball. (You can also simply form a meatball, make a large indentation, place the cheese inside, and close the meatball.)
- Place meatballs in the basket of the air fryer and cook at 370° for 13 minutes. Work in batches if needed to ensure the meatballs are not overcrowded in the air fryer.
- Serve with warmed marinara and enjoy!
Common Questions
What Type of Meat Is Best For Meatballs?
I use ground beef to make my meatballs, but you can also use ground turkey, chicken, bison, lamb, or pork! All are great options! (I have not tried this recipe with ground alternative meat, like Beyond Meat. If you try it, please let me know how it goes!)
How Long To Cook Meatballs in the Air Fryer?
Cook the meatballs at 370°F for 13 minutes. Work in batches if needed to ensure the meatballs are not overcrowded in the air fryer.
How To Know When Your Meatballs Are Done
The best way to check the doneness of the meatballs is to use an instant thermometer to measure the temperature of the meat. It should read 160°F if you are using ground beef, pork, or lamb and 165°F if you are using ground turkey or chicken.
You can also cut to the center of the meatball. It is done when the outside is golden brown and there is no pink meat in the center.
How To Store These Air Fryer Cheesy Meatballs
Store the cheese-filled meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can rewarm the meatballs in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-5 minutes or in the microwave for 60 seconds (depending on the power of your microwave).
Want To Freeze Your Meatballs?
To freeze, simply place the cooked meatballs in an airtight container or freezer bag (make sure they are completely cooled first), then put them in the freezer. You can freeze these cheese-stuffed meatballs for up to 3 months.
When you are ready to enjoy the meatballs, transfer them to the refrigerator to thaw overnight. Then, warm the meatballs and serve with your favorite sauce.
What To Eat With These Air Fryer Cheese Stuffed Meatballs
You can always enjoy these meatballs on their own. I like to serve them with homemade marinara sauce! Here are a few more options to make this an even fuller meal:
- Dairy-Free Garlic Mashed Potatoes
- Crispy Sweet Potato Fries
- Homemade Vegan Ranch
- 5-minute Avocado Crema
- Roasted Red Pepper Hummus
- Cilantro-Lime Coconut Rice
I hope you enjoy this Air Fryer Cheese Stuffed Meatballs Recipe!
If you try the recipe, don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know what you think in the comments. Leave a quick review & star rating ★ below! Take pictures, tag #goodfoodbaddie, and share them with me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest! I love seeing my recipes come to life in your kitchen.
More Meatball Recipes:
- Baked Bison Meatballs
- Easy Vegan Eggplant Meatballs
- One-Pot Greek Orzo with Lamb Meatballs
- Easy Lamb Kofta (Meatballs)
- Easy Greek Chicken Meatballs
Air Fryer Cheese Stuffed Meatballs
Ingredients
- 4 oz Burrata, cut into small cubes (or Mozzarella Cheese)
- 1 lb Ground Beef (or ground meat of choice)
- 1 Egg
- 1 Jalapeno, Minced
- 1/4 cup Onion, finely chopped
- 4 Garlic Cloves, minced
- 1.5 tsp Italian Seasoning
- 1 tsp Paprika
- 1 tsp Chili Powder
- 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1/4 tsp Black Pepper
- 1/2 tsp Sea Salt
- 1/2 tsp Red Crushed Peppers
- Marinara for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the ground meat mixture by combining all the ingredients (except the cheese).
- Preheat the air fryer to 370F for 5 minutes.
- Scoop 3 tablespoons of the mixture and form into 2 small flat patties. Place a cube of cheese in the middle of one of the patties and use the other to place on top. Pinch meat up around cheese to seal and form into a ball. (You can also simply form a meatball, make a large indentation, place the cheese inside, and close the meatball.)
- Place meatballs in the basket of the air fryer and cook at 370° for 13 minutes. Work in batches if needed to ensure the meatballs are not overcrowded in the air fryer.
- Serve with warmed marinara and enjoy!
Notes
- The number of meatballs made depends on the size you make the meatballs.
- *I made 6 large meatballs. The nutrition facts are for 1 meatball (without marinara)
Nutrition
One of the best meatball recipes I’ve ever tried! I love the gooey cheesy center, so delish!
First off, the step-by-step pictures were really helpful! Secondly, the meatballs were delicious and I will definitely be making them again. Thank you!
Hi Jazz! I am glad the photo instructions helped! I love to make it as easy as possible. Thanks for leaving a review!
My new favourite way of making meatballs! My whole family loved these cheese-stuffed meatballs.
These cheese-stuffed meatballs almost caused a brawl between me and my hubby. He actually tried to take the last one like I’m some kind of punk. With the flavor and tender juiciness these have, I was willing to throw blows.
Haha! I’ve been there before! When its that good, it’s that good! Haha! Sounds like you’ll have to make these again ;). I’m glad you and your husband enjoyed the recipe, Marta!