Air Fryer Swedish Meatballs
Add Preferred SourceBursting with flavor and smothered in a creamy, dreamy sauce, these Air Fryer Swedish Meatballs are super quick and easy to make. Perfect for weeknights when you crave something hearty but don’t want to spend all evening in the kitchen. They’re a guaranteed hit at any dinner table, bringing a touch of Swedish charm to your meal.
Why You Will Love Making Air Fryer Swedish Meatballs
I love how easy this dish is to throw together—start to finish, it takes less than 30 minutes, and there’s no greasy mess thanks to the air fryer. The meatballs come out juicy and full of flavor every time, and I can serve them however I want, over mashed potatoes, with pasta, or even in a sandwich. Whether it’s a quick family dinner or something a little special, this one always fits the bill.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll need all the ingredients in the photograph below.
How to make Air Fryer Swedish Meatballs with Step-By-Step Instructions
A complete printable recipe and the measurements in both US customary and metric are available in the recipe card below.
Here’s how to get those meatballs just right:
Mix the meatball mixture
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, finely diced onion, egg, breadcrumbs, a pinch of nutmeg, salt, and black pepper.
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Mix initially with a spoon to get the ingredients incorporated, then squeeze it with your hands to ensure the mixture is thoroughly combined and smooth.
Shape and cook the meatballs
Roll the mixture into balls, each about 1 ½ tablespoons in size. Place them in your air fryer basket in a single layer—work in batches if necessary.
Spray them lightly with cooking oil and set your air fryer to 180ºC (350°F). Cook for 7 minutes, give them a shake for even cooking, and then another 5 minutes until they’re nicely browned and cooked through.
Make the sauce
While the meatballs are cooking, heat a skillet over medium heat. Add the butter and let it melt, then whisk in the flour to form a roux. Gradually stir in the beef stock, ensuring there are no lumps.
Let it simmer until it thickens a bit, which should take a couple of minutes. Finish the sauce by stirring in the sour cream and Worcestershire sauce, then season with salt and pepper to taste.
Serve and enjoy
Serve the meatballs hot from the air fryer, smothered in the creamy sauce, over your favorite starch like fluffy mashed potatoes or some buttery pasta. Sprinkle with chopped parsley to add a fresh touch.
Recipe Notes and Expert Tips
To make your air fryer Swedish meatballs an absolute hit, here are some pro tips and tweaks:
- Meat: You can use 50%/50% ground beef and ground pork instead of ground beef. It adds more fat making it juicier and more flavorful.
- Sour Cream: If you’re out of sour cream or prefer something different, plain Greek yogurt or even cream cheese can work as a good substitute.
- Consistent Size: Make sure all meatballs are the same size to cook evenly. A cookie scoop can be a great tool to help you achieve uniformity.
- Test for Doneness: The safest way to check if the meatballs are cooked is to use a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
- Adjust the Seasoning: Before you cook all the meatballs, you might want to fry up a small test patty to check the seasoning. Adjust as necessary.
- Sauce Consistency: If the gravy is too thick, thin it with a little more beef broth. If it’s too thin, let it simmer for a few more minutes, or add a touch more flour roux.
- Add a Splash of Cream: For an even richer sauce, add a splash of heavy cream in addition to the sour cream.
- Gluten-Free: To make gluten-free Swedish meatballs, simply use gluten-free breadcrumbs and ensure your Worcestershire sauce and beef stock are gluten-free as well.
- Make Ahead: You can shape the meatballs ahead of time and refrigerate them overnight. Just air fry them when you’re ready to eat for best results.
How to Store Leftover Air Fryer Ikea Meatballs
Storing your Swedish meatballs is easy, and they reheat well with just a little care. Let both the meatballs and sauce cool to room temperature before storing, and keep them in separate airtight containers.
In the fridge, they’ll stay fresh for 3–4 days. If you want to store them longer, they freeze well for up to 3 months—just make sure to use a freezer-safe container.
When you’re ready to reheat, thaw everything overnight in the fridge if frozen. Then pop them back in the air fryer for a few minutes until heated through.
Our Top 3 Money-Saving Tips for This Recipe
Saving money while cooking delicious meals like these air fryer Swedish meatballs is easier than you might think. Here are three savvy tips to keep your wallet happy:
- DIY breadcrumbs: Make your own breadcrumbs from leftover brown or white bread; it’s cheaper and reduces waste.
- Less meat, more fillers: Increase breadcrumbs slightly to make the meat go further without losing texture.
- Portion control: Make slightly smaller meatballs to increase the number of servings.
What to Serve with This Air Fryer Swedish Meatballs Recipe
Here are a few ideas that complement the flavors and make for a complete meal:
Classic Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes are a classic choice. Their creamy texture and mild flavor balance the richness of the meatballs and the tangy sauce beautifully. For an extra touch of flavor, try adding some garlic or a sprinkle of fresh herbs like chives or parsley.
Bright, Tangy Cranberry Sauce
Instead of the traditional lingonberry jam, which can be hard to find, try a homemade cranberry sauce. It’s tart, sweet, and cuts through the richness of the meatballs perfectly, plus it adds a splash of color to your plate!
Egg Noodles
Egg noodles are a great pick to pair with Swedish meatballs. They’re quick to cook, soak up the sauce nicely, and add a satisfying chewiness to the meal. Just boil them until al dente, toss with a bit of butter, and you’re set—a simple yet perfect match for those tasty meatballs.
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Ingredients
- 16 ounces lean ground beef
- 1 onion diced
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup breadcrumbs
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cup beef stock
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine the ground beef, onion, egg, breadcrumbs, nutmeg, salt and pepper. We like mixing it first with a spoon until it’s incorporated, then we mix it with our hands, so the mixture is fully combined and soft.16 ounces lean ground beef, 1 onion, 1 egg, ¼ cup breadcrumbs, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon pepper, ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Form and roll the meatballs with your hands – they should be around 1 ½ tablespoons in size.
- Arrange the meatballs in batches in the air fryer basket. Spray with a bit of cooking oil and cook for 7 minutes at 180ºC (350°F). Shake them a bit, and cook them for 5 more minutes.1 tablespoon olive oil
- Heat a skillet to medium, add the butter, and let it melt. Then, add the flour and mix well to form a roux (a thick paste).2 tablespoons butter, 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- Once the roux has been formed, add the beef stock and remove it well. Cook for a couple of minutes, or until it thickens.1 ½ cup beef stock
- Add the sour cream and Worcestershire sauce and fully combine. Taste and adjust salt and pepper.¼ cup sour cream, 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- Serve the meatballs with the sauce, and fresh parsley over mashed potatoes.
Notes
-
- Meat: You can use 50/50 ground beef and ground pork instead of ground beef. It adds more fat making it juicier and more flavorful.
-
- Sour Cream: If you’re out of sour cream or prefer something different, plain Greek yogurt or even cream cheese can work as a good substitute.
-
- Consistent Size: Make sure all meatballs are the same size to cook evenly. A cookie scoop can be a great tool to help you achieve uniformity.
-
- Test for Doneness: The safest way to check if the meatballs are cooked is to use a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
-
- Adjust the Seasoning: Before you cook all the meatballs, you might want to fry up a small test patty to check the seasoning. Adjust as necessary.
-
- Sauce Consistency: If the gravy is too thick, thin it with a little more beef broth. If it’s too thin, let it simmer for a few more minutes, or add a touch more flour roux.
-
- Add a Splash of Cream: For an even richer sauce, add a splash of heavy cream in addition to the sour cream.
-
- Gluten-Free: To make gluten-free Swedish meatballs, simply use gluten-free breadcrumbs and ensure your Worcestershire sauce and beef stock are gluten-free as well.
-
- Make Ahead: You can shape the meatballs ahead of time and refrigerate them overnight. Just air fry them when you’re ready to eat for best results.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
-
- Cool and Airtight: Let the meatballs and sauce cool to room temperature before you pack them away. Store the meatballs and sauce in separate airtight containers.
-
- Refrigerate or Freeze: In the fridge, your meatballs will last 3-4 days. If you need to store them longer, they freeze well for up to 3 months. Just make sure they’re in a freezer-safe container.
-
- Reheating: To reheat, thaw overnight in the fridge if frozen, then warm them in the microwave or back in the air fryer for a few minutes until heated through. If using the microwave, covering them lightly with a wet paper towel can help keep the meatballs moist. The sauce can be reheated in the microwave.
Nutrition
DO MORE WITH YOUR
AIR FRYER
This eBook is a collection of 86 recipes I make again and again in my own kitchen. If you love good food and easy instructions, this book was made for you.
Immediate eBook download. No physical book available.
∙ Cheesy Egg Bites
∙ Broccoli Cheddar Soup
∙ Asparagus Casserole
∙ Crack Chicken Casserole
∙ Coffee Cake
...and much more!
Includes ad-free recipes like:
