Air Fryer Chicken Meatball Subs Recipe
These Air Fryer Meatball Subs are a quick and delicious twist on a classic comfort food. Made with lean ground chicken meatballs, seasoned with fresh herbs and Pecorino Romano cheese, they’re cooked to perfection in an air fryer for a healthier alternative to frying. Served on toasted Portuguese rolls with marinara sauce and melted mozzarella, these subs are perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner or game day snack.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Sandwiches
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 1¼ lb 93% lean ground chicken
- ¼ cup breadcrumbs (plain, seasoned, or gluten-free)
- ¼ cup low sodium chicken broth (for moisture)
- ¼ cup fresh parsley (finely chopped)
- ¼ cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese (or Parmesan cheese)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced or grated)
- 1 large egg
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Cooking spray
Subs
- 4 small Portuguese rolls (about 2 oz each or gluten-free buns)
- 1 cup marinara sauce (homemade or jarred, about ¼ cup per sub)
- 4 slices part-skim mozzarella cheese (or provolone, muenster, or 4 ounces shredded cheese)
Instructions
- Make the meatballs: In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, breadcrumbs, chicken broth, parsley, Pecorino Romano cheese, garlic, egg, kosher salt, and black pepper. Mix gently until just incorporated. Shape the mixture into 16 even meatballs.
- Air fry the meatballs: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or line with air fryer parchment paper to prevent sticking. Place the meatballs in a single layer inside the basket (cook in batches if necessary). Air fry at 400°F for 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the meatballs are golden brown and reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Heat the marinara sauce: While the meatballs cook, warm the marinara sauce in a small saucepan on the stovetop or microwave until hot. Toss the cooked meatballs gently in the heated sauce to coat.
- Toast the rolls: Slice the Portuguese rolls in half and lightly toast them in the air fryer for about 1 minute until slightly crispy.
- Assemble the subs: Place 4 sauced meatballs onto the toasted bottom half of each roll. Top each with a slice of mozzarella cheese. Place the assembled subs on foil to catch drips and return them to the air fryer. Air fry for 1 minute or until the cheese melts thoroughly.
Notes
- You can substitute ground chicken with ground turkey or lean beef if preferred.
- Use gluten-free breadcrumbs and rolls to make the subs gluten-free.
- To ensure juicy meatballs, avoid overmixing the meat mixture.
- Check that the internal temperature of the meatballs reaches 165°F for safe consumption.
- For a spicier kick, add red pepper flakes to the seasoning mix.
Find it online: https://bitezly.com/air-fryer-chicken-meatball-subs-recipe/
