Air Fryer Asian Turkey Meatballs Bowls Recipe
These Air Fryer Asian Meatballs offer a quick and healthy twist on a classic favorite, combining lean ground turkey with fresh ginger, garlic, and scallions. Cooked to perfection in the air fryer, they are served over sesame-infused brown rice with nutritious edamame, making a flavorful and balanced meal perfect for busy weeknights.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Asian
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup plain panko breadcrumbs
- 2 large garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
- 3 medium scallions, finely chopped (greens and whites separated)
- 2 tablespoons reduced sodium soy sauce, plus more for topping
- 1 pound 93% lean ground turkey
- Olive oil spray
Bowl Assembly
- 3 cups cooked brown rice
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 2 cups shelled edamame, heated
- Sesame seeds, for topping
- Sriracha sauce (optional, for topping)
- Fresh cilantro (optional, for topping)
Instructions
- Prepare Meatball Mixture: Crack the egg into a medium mixing bowl and beat it with a fork. Add the panko breadcrumbs, minced garlic, grated ginger, scallion whites, and 2 tablespoons of soy sauce. Mix everything until combined.
- Form Meatballs: Add the ground turkey to the mixture and gently mix with the fork, taking care not to overwork the meat. Roll the mixture into 16 evenly sized meatballs, about 1 ounce each. Place them on a parchment-lined sheet pan and set aside until ready to cook. Remember to thoroughly wash your hands and the work surface after handling raw meat.
- Preheat Air Fryer Basket: Generously spray the air fryer basket with olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Cook Meatballs in Air Fryer: Arrange the meatballs in a single even layer in the air fryer basket. If necessary, cook them in batches. Air fry at 400°F (204°C) for 8 to 10 minutes, turning them halfway through the cooking time to ensure even browning. If you cooked in batches, keep the first batch warm by covering with foil and, if needed, reheating briefly in the air fryer for 1 minute before serving.
- Alternative Oven Method: If you prefer, bake the meatballs in a preheated oven at 400°F (204°C) for 20 minutes until cooked through and golden brown.
- Prepare Rice Base: While the meatballs cook, toss the cooked brown rice with the sesame oil and the chopped scallion greens for added flavor.
- Assemble Bowls: Divide the rice mixture evenly among 4 serving bowls, approximately ¾ cup of rice per bowl.
- Add Meatballs and Edamame: Top each bowl with 4 meatballs and ½ cup of heated shelled edamame.
- Finish with Toppings: Drizzle each bowl with 2 teaspoons of soy sauce and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Add sriracha and fresh cilantro on top if desired for extra heat and freshness.
Notes
- For a gluten-free option, substitute panko breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs.
- Use ground chicken or lean pork as an alternative to turkey if preferred.
- Adjust sriracha quantity to control the heat level in the bowls.
- To save time, use pre-cooked or leftover rice and edamame.
- Ensure not to over-mix the meat mixture to keep meatballs tender.
- Olive oil spray helps prevent sticking in the air fryer basket and also promotes even browning.
