Name: Air Fryer Lamb Meatballs
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 32 min
Ingredients: 2 pounds ground lamb; 3 cloves garlic (minced); 2 large eggs; ¼ cup breadcrumbs; 1 tablespoon fresh parsley (chopped); 2 teaspoons fresh mint (chopped); 1 teaspoon dried dill; 1 teaspoon ground cumin; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; ¾ cup crumbled feta cheese; Salt and black pepper (to taste); Tzatziki sauce; Fresh tomatoes (chopped); Cucumber slices; Pickled red onions; Black olives; Cooked rice or warm pita (optional)

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I started making these Air Fryer Lamb Meatballs to switch up our usual meatball night and now my family asks for them constantly. They come out beautifully browned on the outside with tender, herb-packed centers full of mint, dill, and salty feta. Serve them over rice with tzatziki and it feels like a real restaurant bowl.

A close-up of an air fryer lamb meatballs being dipped into a small bowl of white tzatziki sauce, with a bowl of eight meatballs, a lemon wedge, and a whole cucumber in the background. — Air Fryer Lamb Meatballs. Photo Credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

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It’s my go-to for weeknight meal prep and dinner parties when I want something that feels fresh and Mediterranean without a lot of effort. The meatballs reheat beautifully so making a big batch ahead just makes sense. The air fryer cooks them faster than the oven and gives them that perfect color all around. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Ingredients You’ll Need

You’ll need all the ingredients shown in the photograph below.

A hand using a silver fork to dip an air fryer lamb meatball into a small bowl of tzatziki sauce, with a bowl of eight meatballs, a lemon wedge, and a whole cucumber in the background. — Air Fryer Lamb Meatballs Ingredients. Photo Credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

How to Make Air Fryer Lamb Meatballs with Step-By-Step Instructions

Scroll down for the full recipe card containing a full printable recipe and measurements in both US customary and metric units.

These come together quickly with simple fresh herbs and a handful of pantry spices.

Preheat Your Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C), so it’s fully up to temperature before the meatballs go in.

Mix the Meatball Mixture

In a large bowl, combine the ground lamb, minced garlic, eggs, panko breadcrumbs, fresh parsley, fresh mint, dried dill, cumin, dried oregano, crumbled feta, salt, and pepper. You can also add a pinch of coriander or cinnamon to the seasonings for a warmer, more complex flavor profile.

To save time, use a food processor to mince the garlic and fresh herbs before adding them to the mixture. I always use my favorite garlic press to mince the garlic quickly and cleanly.

Mix gently with your hands until everything is just combined. Don’t overmix or the meatballs can turn dense.

A bowl of raw Air Fryer Lamb Meatball mixture combined with herbs and feta cheese, surrounded by prep bowls of cherry tomatoes, sliced red onions, fresh dill, sliced cucumbers, salt, and a sprig of mint in a glass jar. — Combine ground lamb, garlic, eggs, breadcrumbs, herbs, spices, and feta, mixing gently until just combined. Do not overmix to keep meatballs tender.

Shape the Meatballs

Form the mixture into 1½-inch meatballs and arrange them in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space between each one. A cookie scoop makes portioning them out fast and keeps every meatball the same size, so they cook evenly.

Raw lamb meatballs in a single layer in a Ninja air fryer basket, ready to cook. — Shape into 1½-inch meatballs and place in a single layer in the air fryer basket with space between each.

Lightly spray the basket with cooking spray before adding the meatballs so nothing sticks.

Air Fry Until Browned

Air fry for 10 to 12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until the meatballs are cooked through and golden brown on the outside. I use this instant-read digital meat thermometer to check that the internal temp hits 160°F, so I know they’re done without guessing.

Ten Air Fryer Lamb Meatballs arranged on a sheet of parchment paper inside a black Ninja air fryer basket, showing a browned exterior with visible flecks of herbs and feta cheese. — Air fry for 10–12 minutes, shaking halfway, until meatballs are cooked through and golden brown.

Serve Warm With All the Toppings

Serve the meatballs warm with tzatziki, chopped fresh tomatoes, cucumber slices, pickled red onions, black olives, and cooked rice or warm pita on the side. Drizzle on extra tzatziki right before serving for the full Mediterranean experience. Enjoy!

A bowl of seven Air Fryer Lamb Meatballs served over white rice with tzatziki, sliced cucumbers, red onions, cherry tomatoes, and black olives, garnished with fresh dill and mint, alongside small bowls of extra tomatoes, onions, herbs, and a sprig of mint in a glass jar. — Serve the meatballs warm with tzatziki, fresh tomatoes, cucumber, pickled red onions, olives, and rice or pita, finished with an extra drizzle of tzatziki.

These travel well to potlucks and gatherings. Pack the meatballs in a portable food container to keep them safe, and transport the tzatziki and toppings separately in small containers so everything stays fresh until you’re ready to serve.

Air Fryer Lamb Meatballs

I love how much flavor is packed into every single one of these Air Fryer Lamb Meatballs. Fresh mint, dill, parsley, garlic, cumin, and crumbled feta give each one a bright, savory, slightly tangy flavor that makes the whole bowl taste layered and interesting. The air fryer gets them perfectly browned faster than the oven, which is why they work so well for weeknight dinners and meal prep. Store leftover cooked meatballs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

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Prep Time: 20

Cook Time: 12

Total Time: 32

Course: Air Fryer, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Air Fryer Lamb Meatballs

Servings:

Calories: 479kcal

Author: Mandy Applegate

Ingredients

For the Meatballs:

2 pounds ground lamb
3 cloves garlic minced
2 large eggs
¼ cup breadcrumbs
1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped
2 teaspoons fresh mint chopped
1 teaspoon dried dill
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
¾ cup crumbled feta cheese
Salt and black pepper to taste

For Serving:

Tzatziki sauce
Fresh tomatoes chopped
Cucumber slices
Pickled red onions
Black olives
Cooked rice or warm pita optional

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
In a large bowl, combine ground lamb, garlic, eggs, breadcrumbs, herbs, spices, feta, salt, and pepper. Mix gently with your hands until just combined.
2 pounds ground lamb, 3 cloves garlic, 2 large eggs, ¼ cup breadcrumbs, 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, 2 teaspoons fresh mint, 1 teaspoon dried dill, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, ¾ cup crumbled feta cheese, Salt and black pepper
Form into 1½-inch meatballs and arrange meatballs in a single layer in the basket, leaving space between them.
Air fry for 10–12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until cooked through and browned.
Serve warm with tzatziki and your favorite Mediterranean toppings.
Tzatziki sauce, Fresh tomatoes, Cucumber slices, Pickled red onions, Black olives, Cooked rice or warm pita

Notes

Here are a few tips I’ve picked up from making these more times than I can count.

Don’t overmix the meat: Mix the lamb mixture gently with your hands just until the ingredients are combined. Overworking the mixture will make the meatballs dense and tough, rather than tender.
Keep them uniform: Aim for 1½-inch meatballs, so they all cook at the same rate. A cookie scoop takes the guesswork out of sizing.
Leave space in the basket: Arrange the meatballs in a single layer with space between each one. Crowding the basket traps steam and prevents that browned exterior.
Shake the basket halfway: At the halfway point, shake it to help all sides brown evenly, rather than getting flat on the bottom.
Check the internal temperature: Use a digital instant-read thermometer to confirm the meatballs have reached 160°F before removing them from the air fryer.
Flash-freeze before storing: If you’re making a big batch to freeze, freeze the meatballs in a single layer on a baking sheet for 1 hour before transferring to a container. They won’t clump together, and you can grab just a few at a time.

Nutrition

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How to Store Leftovers

Let the meatballs cool completely before storing. Transfer them to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3 to 4 minutes to crisp up the edges, or microwave for about 60 seconds if you’re short on time.

To freeze, arrange the cooled meatballs in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze for about 1 hour before transferring to a freezer-safe zip bag or airtight container.

The meatballs will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat in the air fryer for best results.

What to Serve With Air Fryer Lamb Meatballs

These pair beautifully with warm pita bread, fluffy cooked rice, or a simple Greek salad with tomatoes, cucumber, olives, and a drizzle of olive oil. Tahini sauce makes a delicious alternative to tzatziki if you want to switch things up, and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice over everything brings all the flavors together.

For a more substantial meal, add some roasted vegetables like zucchini or eggplant, a side of tabbouleh, or a bowl of lemon rice. You can also serve the meatballs over pasta for a Mediterranean twist on a classic pasta dinner.

More Easy Recipes for You to Try at Home

If your air fryer gets a lot of use, these recipes are worth adding to the lineup.

About the Author

A woman with long brown hair is smiling and standing with her arms crossed. She is wearing a sleeveless, black and white diamond-patterned dress.

Hey there! I’m Mandy

Mandy Applegate is a home cook, food blogger, and writer who believes the best meals are the ones shared with the people you love.

She’s all about easy recipes that taste amazing, the kind that make ordinary days feel a little more special and remind you why cooking at home matters.

She has been published on NBC, the Daily News, the Boston Herald, and the Chicago Sun-Times, amongst many others.

Air Fryer Lamb Meatballs

Ingredients You’ll Need