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    Home » Recipes » Appetizers

    Keto Air Fryer Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs

    by Oscar Chimenti, Last Modified: June 29, 2022 This post may contain affiliate or sponsored links. See the Disclosure Policy linked in my footer.

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    crispy meatballs on a white plate poked with a toothpick garnished with tomato sauce and basil

    Crispy, flavourful and easy Keto Air Fryer Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs are full of gooey cheese and coated with a crispy crust air fried until golden brown. These delicious meatballs can also be made in the oven.

    crispy meatballs on a white plate poked with a toothpick garnished with tomatoe sauce and basil this recipe
    Jump To:
    • 🥘 Main ingredients Used
    • 👨🏻‍🍳 Steps by step instructions
    • Oven method
    • 👨🏻‍🍳 Recipe tips
    • More keto air fryer recipes you might enjoy
    • 🥣 Equipment used to make
    • 💭 Frequently asked questions
    • 🍽 Other low carb recipes you might enjoy
    • Air Fryer Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs

    Anything stuffed with cheese is on the top of my list of appetizers. Especially when I can make it in the air fryer.

    The idea of keto air fryer meatballs stuffed with mozzarella came to me while I was making a few other appetizers like my Marinated Mozzarella Balls and my Air Fryer Cheesy Cauliflower Bites.

    🥘 Main ingredients Used

    We first make the tender low carb meatballs and then stuff them with mozzarella and then coat with a crispy breading (crispy breading is optional) before air frying.

    • Ground Beef: used one pound of lean ground beef for this recipe although you can use ground beef pork or chicken
    • Mozzarella: mini bocconcini balls were used for this recipe. Although you an use any fresh mozzarella you prefer
    • Pork Rind Crumbs: ground pork rinds were blended in a food processor to create the crumb mixture. This is optional, you can make these meatballs without the crispy outer crust.
    • Parmesan Cheese: used in the meatball and breadcrumb mixture for some added nutty salty flavours.

    👨🏻‍🍳 Steps by step instructions

    How to make Air Fryer Stuffed Mozzarella Meatballs

    STEP 1: In a large bowl add the ground beef with all the ingredients for the meatballs. Using your hands combine everything together until ingredients are evenly incorporated. Then roll the meatballs into roughly 1" balls.

    STEP 2: Cut each mini bocconcini balls in half if using, otherwise cut your mozzarella into ¼" pieces. Take one of the rolled meatballs and flatten it into the palm of your hand.

    Place one of the mozzarella pieces into the centre of the flattened meatballs and then fold the outer edges over the mozzarella and then roll into a ball once again. Place on a dish large enough to hold all the meatballs, chill in the fridge for 10 minutes.

    rolled meatballs on a white plate next to a flattened meatball with mozzarella in the centre next to slices of mozzarella balls

    STEP 3: Preheat air fryer to 400°F

    Combine the pork rind crumbs with the remaining parmesan in a medium bowl. Remove chilled meatballs from the fridge and roll each meatball through the crumb mixture. The pork rind breading is optional, you can make these mozzarella stuffed meatballs without if you prefer.

    Spray air fryer basket with cooking spray. Please each meatball into the air fryer basket, you may have to do this in batches, depending on the size of your air fryer.

    Lightly spray the tops of the meatballs in the air fryer.

    Air fry at 400F for 12 minutes.

    • STEP 4: remove the crispy mozzarella stuffed keto meatballs from the air fryer basket, top with marinara sauce and basil. Served with a toothpick pierced through the centre as an h'orderve or appetizer.
    crispy meatballs on a white plate poked with a toothpick garnished with tomato sauce and basil

    Oven method

    Bake the keto mozzarella stuffed meatballs in a parchment lined baking sheet at 400°F for 16-18 minutes turning half way through and until no longer pink inside.

    👨🏻‍🍳 Recipe tips

    Top Tip: use a lean ground beef for this recipe as fattier ground beef may release more juices which in turn will help release more of the melted mozzarella during the cooking process.

    Tip: when compacting the meatballs try not to pack too tight, oil your hands and gently and quickly form the meatballs.

    • Serving: serve with a marinara sauce either topped onto each meatball or on the side for dipping. Shave some parmesan on top of the meatballs with a sliver of basil for some added freshness.
    • Storage: store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. If freezing, freeze in an air tight container or freezer bad for up to one month. Thaw to room temperature and then place frozen meatballs in the air fryer and fry at 350°F for 5 minutes. If want to reheat from frozen place in the oven at 300°F for 10-12 minutes.

    More keto air fryer recipes you might enjoy

    • Air Fryer Cheesy Cauliflower Balls
    • Keto Air Fryer Devilled Eggs
    • Low Carb Air Fryer Arancini Balls
    • Air Fryer Low Carb Stuffed Pepper
    • Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Sweet Potatoes
    • Air Fryer Chicken Wings with Cilantro and Lime
    crispy meatballs on a white plate poked with a toothpick garnished with tomato sauce and basil

    🥣 Equipment used to make

    I do get a lot of use out of my air fryer. If you are looking to purchase one, here are just a few.

    I Hacked Diabetes is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliates sites. I can make a small commission on qualifying purchases.

    💭 Frequently asked questions

    Is it better to bake or fry these meatballs?

    Either is fine but I find the crispy outer crust turns out crispier in the air fryer.

    Why did my meatballs turn out rubbery and tough?

    You may have made your meatballs too firm. Before making the meatballs, oil your hands and gently and quickly form the meatballs.

    Do I have to use egg in the meatball mixture?

    You do not have to use egg. However, the meatballs might be too crumbly and fall apart.

    How many grams of carbs per meatball?

    Each meatball contains roughly 1g of total carbs per meatball.

    Are these meatballs keto and diabetic friendly?

    Due to each meatball being 1g of total carbs these air fryer mozzarella stuffed meatballs are sure to fit into a keto and low carb diet. Since there is no added sugar or breading these meatballs are also gluten free and diabetic friendly.

    🍽 Other low carb recipes you might enjoy

    • creamy keto greek salad on a blue rimmed white plate with woodend salad spoons.
      Creamy Keto Greek Salad
    • strawberry goat cheese salad on a blue rimmed platter with a fork.
      Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad with a Balsamic Dressing
    • white bowl filled with leftover keto taco salad and a fork.
      Leftover Keto Taco Salad
    • white bowl with keto fauxtato salad.
      Keto Fauxtato Salad
    crispy meatballs on a white plate poked with a toothpick garnished with tomato sauce and basil
    half a meatball with mozzarella in the centre topped with sauce basil and a toothpick

    Air Fryer Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs

    Oscar
    Meatballs stuffed with mozzarella and a crispy breading made in the air fryer.
    5 from 39 votes
    Print Pin This Recipe
    Prep Time : 10 mins
    Cook Time : 12 mins
    Chill Time : 10 mins
    Total Time : 32 mins
    Course : Appetizer
    Cuisine : Italian
    Diet : Diabetic, Gluten Free
    Servings : 22 meatballs
    Calories : 70

    Equipment

    • 1 Air Fryer
    • 1 Large Glass Mixing Bowl

    Ingredients
      

    Meatballs

    • 1 lb ground beef
    • 1 large egg
    • ¾ cup grated parmesan
    • 3 cloves garlic minced
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
    • ¼ teaspoon red pepper chili flakes
    • 3 tablespoon chopped parsley

    Stuffing

    • 11 mini bocconcini balls sliced in half

    Meatball Breading (optional)

    • ¾ cup pork rind crumbs
    • ¼ cup grated parmesan
    Get the New E-bookCheck out Low Carb Comfort Food!

    Instructions
     

    • In a large bowl combine the ground meat with the meatball ingredients and roll into 1 inch balls.
    • Slice the mini bocconcini in half and then flatten out a meatball in to the palm of your hand and place a piece of cheese in the centre. Fold the edges of the meatball around the cheese and make sure there are no open seals.
    • Place meatballs in the fridge to chill for 10 minutes.
    • Preheat air fryer to 400°F
    • If breading combine the pork rind crumbs and parmesan in a medium bowl. remove meatballs from fridge and roll through the breadcrumb mixture until meatball is coated. Place each meatball in a lightly greased air fryer basket.
    • Air Fry for 12 minutes at 400°F. You may need to fry in batches, depending on your air fryer.
    • Remove from air fryer basket and serve with marinara sauce, shaved parmesan and fresh basil.

    Notes

    Top Tip: I prefer a lean ground beef for this recipe as fattier ground beef may release more juices which in turn will release more of the melted mozzarella during the cooking process.
    Tip: when compacting the meatballs try not to pack too tight, oil your hands and gently and quickly form the meatballs.

    This recipe card provides the basic details to make this recipe. For more information, questions or variations please review the content above the recipe card.

    Updates and Revisions

    If conflicting information between the video and recipe card, the recipe card will always have the most up to date information, ingredients and instructions.

    Click here to add your own private notes.

    Nutritional Information

    All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.

    Calories: 70kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 4g | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 0g
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    🌡️ Food safety

    • Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
    • Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
    • Wash hands after touching raw meat
    • Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
    • Never leave cooking food unattended
    • Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
    • Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove

    See more food guidelines

    More Appetizers

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      Roasted Paneer (Oven or Air Fryer)
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      Recipe Rating




    1. nancy

      January 10, 2022 at 8:19 pm

      5 stars
      my kid went ham over these !

      Reply
    2. Jeannie

      January 10, 2022 at 7:23 pm

      5 stars
      The mozzarella perfectly melts in the mouth, this is so good

      Reply
    3. Joe

      January 07, 2022 at 5:18 pm

      5 stars
      I really enjoyed these crispy mozzarella stuffed meatballs.

      Reply

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    I am a Type 2 Diabetic and enjoy creating low-carb and diabetic-friendly recipes that are good for you! All recipes are developed to help you make great food without the highs and lows of diabetes.

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