Easy and delicious air fried chicken meatballs in roasted red pepper sauce – a healthy and flavorful dinner or side dish!
If you’re familiar with my recipes, you’ll know by now how much I adore my air fryer. It’s by far my favorite kitchen gadget/appliance. Personally, I think they are worth every penny. If you’re on the hunt for one – I have a few recommendations. You don’t have to spend hundreds on a fancy one, but I wouldn’t get a super cheap one either. I’ve heard bad things about super cheap ones and how they don’t work very well. I have the Crux 5.3 Qt. digital one. I love it. I’ve also heard great things about the Ninja air fryer.
I love making a number of things in my air fryer. One of those things being meatballs! They come out amazing every time. Crispy on the outside and tender and cooked perfectly on the inside. Also, it takes way less time than baking. My healthy buffalo chicken meatballs are so good in the air fryer.
These meatballs are great as a meal! Serve them with a side salad, pasta, rice or a vegetable. You could also serve them as an appetizer!
Air Fried Chicken Meatballs In Roasted Red Pepper Sauce
Ingredients
Roasted Red Pepper Sauce
12 oz. jar of roasted red peppers, drained
6 basil leaves
pinch of red pepper flakes (unless the peppers are fire roasted)
1/3 cup coconut milk or plain nuts pods, could also use heavy cream if you don’t want it to be dairy-free
pinch of salt
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp minced garlic
Air Fried Chicken Meatballs
1 lb. ground chicken
1/2 tsp dried parsley
1 egg, whisked
1 tbsp olive oil
1/4 cup breadcrumbs, or Trader Joe’s rice crumbs for gluten-free
1/4 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp garlic powder
2 tbsp grated parmesan, omit for dairy-free or use nutritional yeast
salt and pepper to taste
fresh chopped basil for topping
Instructions
For the sauce
Combine the drained roasted red peppers and basil leaves in a food processor or high powered blender. Blend until smooth.
In a sauce pan over medium heat, add 1 tbsp olive oil.
Add garlic and let cook for about 1 minute.
Add the blended roasted red pepper and basil mixture.
Whisk in coconut milk or nut pods. Sprinkle with red pepper flakes, salt and pepper.
Let simmer for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally.
For the meatballs
In a mixing bowl combine ground chicken with salt, pepper, dried parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, grated parmesan, and breadcrumbs.
Add whisked egg and olive oil and mix to combine.
Using a cookie scoop or your hands, form into meatballs.
Spray air fryer basket and place meatballs in the basket. You don’t want to over crowd the meatballs, so cook them in batches if need be.
Lightly spray the meatballs with non-stick cooking spray.
Air fry at 400 degrees F for 10-12 minutes or until cooked through.
Toss cooked meatballs in roasted red pepper sauce.
Top with fresh chopped basil and some more grated parmesan if desired.
