Name: Air Fryer Meatball Sliders
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 8 min
Total time: 23 min
Ingredients: 1 pound lean ground beef; Salt and pepper to taste; 2 teaspoons onion powder; 1 clove garlic (minced); 1 tablespoon Parsley flakes (dried); 1 tablespoon Fresh parsley (chopped ); 1 egg; ½ cup breadcrumbs; ½ cup Parmesan cheese; 2 cups marinara sauce; 12 pack Hawaiian rolls or slider buns; 12 mozzarella cheese slices; 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted); 1-2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese

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Air Fryer Meatball Sliders are the appetizers that hit all the right notes—juicy meatballs, rich marinara, melty cheese, and soft, buttery rolls. Cooking them in the air fryer makes them even better by adding more crisp while keeping the inside warm and gooey. With just a handful of ingredients and minimal prep, you’ll have a tray of hot, cheesy, saucy sliders ready in no time.

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My air-fried meatball sliders always disappear fast whenever we’ve got friends coming over or the whole family’s piling in for dinner; everyone—from kids to adults—grabs them without hesitation. They’re not only that delicious but easy to pull together, too. I can prep everything ahead and even stash the meatballs in the freezer as they store and reheat very well.

Ingredients You’ll Need

You’ll need all the ingredients shown in the photograph below.

Top-down view of ingredients for delicious meatball sliders, featuring Hawaiian rolls, ground beef, mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, parsley flakes, eggs, onion powder, garlic butter, and marinara sauce. — Air Fryer Meatball Sliders Ingredients. Photo Credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes

How to Make Air Fryer Meatball Sliders with Step-By-Step Instructions

Scroll down for the full recipe card containing a full printable recipe and measurements in both US customary and metric units.

Follow my simple instructions and you’ll have flavorful, cheesy sliders that come together effortlessly.

Mix and Shape the Meatballs

In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic, parsley, egg, Parmesan cheese, and breadcrumbs. Mix everything lightly until just combined—avoid overmixing to keep the meatballs tender.

A glass bowl with ground meat, breadcrumbs, egg, chopped parsley, and grated cheese sits ready for mixing—a perfect start for delicious meatball sliders. — Mix the lean ground beef, salt, pepper, onion powder, minced garlic, dried and fresh parsley, an egg, breadcrumbs, and Parmesan cheese.

A glass bowl contains seasoned raw ground meat with herbs, ideal for crafting delicious meatball sliders. A metal spoon is partially immersed in the mixture, ready to shape these savory delights. — Gently combine everything without overmixing.

Shape the mixture into 12 evenly sized meatballs.

Cook the Meatballs

Lightly grease a skillet and bring to medium-high heat. Add the meatballs and cook until they are browned on all sides, turning occasionally—this gives them a nice crust while keeping them juicy inside.

Raw meatballs with herbs, ready to become delicious meatball sliders, are beautifully arranged in a black cast-iron skillet. — Cook the shaped meatballs in a skillet over medium-high heat.

A black skillet with twelve browned meatballs cooking, some herbs visible in the mixture, perfect for crafting delicious meatball sliders. — Brown the meatballs on all sides.

Remove from heat and set aside.

Prepare the Slider Rolls

Without separating the rolls, use a serrated knife to slice them in half horizontally. Place the bottom half of the rolls in a 9×13-inch baking dish or one that fits your air fryer.

Spread ½ cup of marinara sauce evenly across the rolls.

Sliced baguette pieces artfully arranged in a baking dish, perfect as a base for delectable meatball sliders. — Place the bottom half of the rolls in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.

A baking dish with sliced bread rolls, transformed into delicious meatball sliders, is spread with tomato sauce and arranged neatly on a white surface. — Spread ½ cup of marinara sauce over the rolls.

A baking dish filled with succulent meatball sliders, topped with rich tomato sauce, rests invitingly on a folded white napkin. — Place a meatball on each slider with another cup of marinara sauce.

Assemble the Sliders

Place a meatball on each roll. Spoon another ½ cup of marinara sauce over the meatballs and lay the mozzarella slices evenly over the top so each one gets a gooey, cheesy bite.

Carefully place the top half of the rolls back on.

A baking dish filled with sliced tomatoes and arranged alongside juicy meatball sliders, each topped with evenly placed slices of cheese, ready for baking. — Add slices of mozzarella cheese on top and place half of the rolls back on.

A baking dish filled with freshly baked dinner rolls topped with sesame seeds. Perfect as a base for meatball sliders, they are being coated with melted butter using a brush, enhancing their golden crust. — Brush the top with melted butter.

A baking dish filled with golden-brown meatball sliders topped with grated cheese and herbs. — Sprinkle grated Parmesan, parsley, and Italian seasoning evenly on top.

Add Butter Topping and Air Fry

Melt the butter and brush it generously over the tops of the rolls. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan, Italian seasoning, and chopped parsley for extra flavor.

Place the baking dish in the air fryer and cook uncovered—so the sliders won’t get steamy—at 350°F (180°C) for about 8 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the tops are golden brown.

Serve and Enjoy

Remove the sliders from the air fryer and let them cool slightly before serving. Enjoy them as is, or serve with extra marinara sauce for dipping.

A baking dish filled with twelve browned, seasoned dinner rolls, reminiscent of air fryer meatball sliders, topped with herbs and grated cheese. — Bake for 8 minutes and let them cool before serving.

Recipe Notes and Expert Tips

I want to make sure your meatball sliders turn out perfect, so here are some tips to help you along the way.

Use a mix of meats for extra flavor: While ground beef works great, mixing in ground pork or Italian sausage adds even more flavor to the meatballs.
Don’t overmix the meat: Overworking the mixture can make the meatballs tough. Gently combine everything until just mixed.
Brown the meatballs first: Searing them in a skillet before baking locks in juices and adds a deeper flavor.
Toast the bottom rolls slightly: If you like a crispier base, lightly toast the bottom half of the rolls before assembling.
Make it extra cheesy: For a cheesier bite, add shredded mozzarella between the layers before topping with cheese slices.
Air fry without cover: Cooking the sliders without a cover allows the tops to crisp up while the cheese melts perfectly. Covering them would trap steam, making the rolls too soft instead of slightly golden and toasty.
Check your air fryer: Cooking times can vary between different air fryer models, so keep an eye on the sliders in the last couple of minutes.
Let them rest before serving: Giving the sliders a minute to cool helps the cheese set and makes them easier to handle and eat without mess.

Air Fryer Meatball Sliders are baked in a dish with melted cheese and a crumb topping, one slider being lifted out. — Air Fryer Meatball Sliders. Photo Credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes

How to Store Leftover Air Fryer Meatball Sliders

If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, pop them in the air fryer at 350°F for a few minutes until warmed through.

While you can freeze the meatballs, it’s not recommended to freeze the rolls as their texture may become too soft when thawed, so it’s best to enjoy them fresh.

If you still want to freeze them, though, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil before placing them in a freezer-safe bag or airtight container. You can keep your air-fried meatball sliders in the freezer for up to 3 months.

What to Serve With Air Fryer Meatball Sliders

These sliders go perfectly with crispy fries, a fresh side salad, or roasted veggies. I also like serving them with extra marinara sauce for dipping or a light coleslaw for a little crunch.

Three air fryer meatball sliders topped with melted cheese and herbs, perfectly arranged on a white plate. — Air Fryer Meatball Sliders. Photo Credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes

More Easy Recipes for You to Try at Home

If you’re looking for more no-fuss air fryer recipes that you can enjoy just as much, check these out!

Air Fryer Tuna Sandwich
Air Fryer Corn on the Cob
Air Fryer Pigs in a Blanket
Air Fryer Swedish Meatballs
Air Fryer Sloppy Joe Stuffed Peppers

Air Fryer Meatball Sliders

Air Fryer Meatball Sliders are the perfect combo of crispy golden on the outside and cheesy-saucy inside. Whether it's game day, a party, or a simple weeknight dinner, these appetizers disappear just as quick as they are to make! With easy prep and a handful of ingredients, you'll get hot, mouthwatering sliders in no time. You can also store leftovers in the fridge or freezer and reheat them anytime, making them as convenient as they are freshly delicious.

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Prep Time: 15

Cook Time: 8

Total Time: 23

Servings:

Calories: 214kcal

Author: Mandy Applegate

Ingredients

For the meatballs:

1 pound lean ground beef
Salt and pepper to taste
2 teaspoons onion powder
1 clove garlic minced
1 tablespoon Parsley flakes dried
1 tablespoon Fresh parsley chopped
1 egg
½ cup breadcrumbs
½ cup Parmesan cheese
2 cups marinara sauce

To assemble:

12 pack Hawaiian rolls or slider buns
12 mozzarella cheese slices
2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
1-2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

In a large bowl, combine ground beef, salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic, parsley, egg, Parmesan cheese, and bread crumbs. Mix lightly until well combined. Shape into 12 meatballs.
1 pound lean ground beef, Salt and pepper to taste, 2 teaspoons onion powder, 1 clove garlic, 1 tablespoon Parsley flakes, 1 tablespoon Fresh parsley, 1 egg, ½ cup breadcrumbs, ½ cup Parmesan cheese
Grease a heavy skillet and bring to medium-high heat. Cook the meatballs until they are browned on all sides.
Without separating the rolls, use a serrated knife to cut them in half horizontally. Place the bottom half of the rolls in a 9×13-inch pan. Spread ½ cup of marinara sauce over the buns.
2 cups marinara sauce, 12 pack Hawaiian rolls or slider buns
Place a meatball on each slider. Spoon another ½ cup of sauce over the meatballs, reserving the remaining sauce for dipping. Layer the slices of cheese on top, then place the top half of the buns on top.
12 mozzarella cheese slices
Brush the top of the sliders with melted butter and sprinkle with grated Parmesan, Italian seasoning and parsley.
Bake in the air fryer at 350°F (180°C) uncovered for 8 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the buns are golden brown.
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, 1-2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
Serve warm and enjoy!

Notes

Use a mix of meats for extra flavor: While ground beef works great, mixing in ground pork or Italian sausage adds even more flavor to the meatballs.

Don’t overmix the meat: Overworking the mixture can make the meatballs tough. Gently combine everything until just mixed.

Brown the meatballs first: Searing them in a skillet before baking locks in juices and adds a deeper flavor.

Toast the bottom rolls slightly: If you like a crispier base, lightly toast the bottom half of the rolls before assembling.

Make it extra cheesy: For a cheesier bite, add shredded mozzarella between the layers before topping with cheese slices.

Air fry without cover: Cooking the sliders without a cover allows the tops to crisp up while the cheese melts perfectly. Covering them would trap steam, making the rolls too soft instead of slightly golden and toasty.

Check your air fryer: Cooking times can vary between different air fryer models, so keep an eye on the sliders in the last couple of minutes.

Let them rest before serving: Giving the sliders a minute to cool helps the cheese set and makes them easier to handle and eat without mess.

Nutrition

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Air Fryer Meatball Sliders

Ingredients You’ll Need