• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Savor + Savvy logo

  • Recipe Index
    • Air Fryer
    • Instant Pot
    • Slow Cooker
    • Breakfast
    • Condiments
    • Dessert
    • Freezer Cooking & Make Ahead Meals
    • Main Dishes
    • Side Dishes
    • Vegan and Vegetarian Recipes
  • Tips
    • Substitutions
    • Air Fryer How-To
  • Printables
  • Shop
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Printables
  • Shop
×

Home » Recipes » Air Fryer

Air Fryer Bang Bang Chicken Meatballs

Published: Apr 21, 2021 · Modified: Mar 10, 2023 by Ginny · This post may contain affiliate links.

Pin78
Share
Yum
Tweet
78 Shares
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

These Air Fryer Bang Bang Chicken Meatballs are so good!  The sauce really tops them off, and they’re a great alternative to beef or pork. Make sure you keep this recipe in your favorites because everyone will love these!

Air fried chicken meatballs on a plate with a Bang Bang sauce and topped with garnish.
Air Fryer Bang Bang Chicken Meatballs – You’ll Eat Them All!
Contents hide
1 🍽️ Why This Recipe Works
2 🧅 Ingredients
3 👩‍🍳 Instructions
4 📌 Expert Tips
5 ⏲️ Recipe FAQs
6 Air Fryer Bang Bang Chicken Meatballs

There are tons of reasons why I love meatballs.

First of all, they are delicious!

Second, they are always a huge hit when I serve them for family or friends. Take them to a potluck or keep them to yourself; either way, they are amazing.

Third, they make the best main dish when serving up a big batch of mashed potatoes.

savor and savvy printable

Snag our 72 Page Printable Home Binder Today →

🍽️ Why This Recipe Works

  • The Air Fryer does all the work!
  • They are juicy and full of flavor.
  • Super easy to make.
  • Great for parties and events.
  • It takes less than 20 minutes to prepare them.
  • The Greek yogurt sauce is so good you could eat it with a spoon!

🧅 Ingredients

You most likely have several of the ingredients in your pantry already! I love recipes like that. Let’s take a peek at the main ingredients.

Chicken | You’ll need to use organic ground chicken. If you don’t want to use chicken, ground beef, or pork are great options as well.

Crackers | We use Ritz crackers because they have a subtle butter flavor and are a little bit salty. They are the perfect addition to the recipe.

Sauce | The sauce is made with a combination of creamy Greek yogurt, sweet chili sauce, and chopped parsley. It’s so delicious and easy to make.

👩‍🍳 Instructions

process photos showing how to make the chicken meatballs and then air fry them.
Simple Instructions to Make the Meatballs

Step One: Combine the ground chicken with the garlic salt, pepper, and parsley in a bowl.

Step Two: Add in the chopped onions, garlic, egg, and crushed crackers. Stir well until ingredients are well blended. Mix in the teriyaki sauce.

Step Three: Form the chicken mixture into meatballs that are around 1 ½ inches in diameter. You can use a cookie scoop to make it easier.

Step Four: Add the meatballs to the greased air fryer basket—Cook at 400 degrees for 12 minutes. Halfway through, turn the meatballs and spray them with a little bit of olive oil.

If the meatballs aren’t cooked all the way through, cook them for an additional four minutes. Check and repeat if needed until they are cooked all the way through.

Step Five: Prepare the sauce by combining the Greek yogurt and sweet chili sauce in a bowl. Once blended, add the cooked meatballs to the sauce. Sprinkle with parsley and enjoy!

Don’t forget the parsley! If you are out or don’t have any on hand, there are over a dozen ways to substitute to achieve that gorgeous color and mild flavor.

📌 Expert Tips

  • The temperature of the meatballs needs to be 165 degrees. It’s important not to overcook or undercook them. An instant-read thermometer is best.
  • Don’t put the meatballs close together when cooking them. Otherwise, they won’t cook properly.
  • When greasing the air fryer, it’s best to use a spray bottle with olive oil and not non-stick spray. The spray tends to gum up the basket after long term use.
  • You can swap the Ritz crackers for Club crackers or bread crumbs if you want. All are good and will add flavor.
  • Don’t over-mix the chicken mixture when preparing the meatballs. If you overwork it, you will find the meatballs tend to become dense and harder.
  •  Meal prep these and make them early by prepping them all through the sauce and put in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Pull out and cook in Air Fryer and add sauce. Meal prep/freeze these by making the meatballs (without the sauce) and place on a sheet pan to freeze for about 6 hours. Remove from the freezer and then place in a freezer safe ziplock bag and seal. When ready to use, remove from the freezer the night before you are going to make them and place in refrigerator. When it is dinner time, cook as directed and make/add sauce. 
plate of bang bang chicken meatballs pile high with the air fryer in the background.
I Bet This Becomes A Family Fave!

⏲️ Recipe FAQs

Can I double this recipe?

Yep, of course! You will need to work in batches or use a second air fryer because they won’t all fit in the basket at once.

How to stop meatballs from being too dry?

There are several things that can cause the meatballs to be dry. First, if you over-mix the meat mixture before you start, it compacts the ingredients and causes them to dry out as it cooks. Another thing would be that they are overcooked. Instead, check the temperature periodically so this doesn’t happen. There is also a chance that your air fryer heats a little higher than it reads. You might need to turn the temperature down some the next time you make them.

How do you store leftovers?

Keep the leftover meatballs in the fridge for up to four days. They should be in an airtight, sealed container.

You can also freeze the meatballs by placing them on a baking sheet and letting them freeze for 1-2 hours. Then put them in a freezer bag. This will prevent them from sticking to each other.

How do you reheat meatballs?

You can warm them in the microwave or in your air fryer. For the air fryer, turn the temperature up to 375 degrees and heat them for five minutes or so. Once they are hot, remove them.

Related Recipes

  • top down view of air fried pickles on a white plate with hand crafted dipping sauce in a bowl
    Air Fryer Pickles
  • platter with air fried taquitos piled high and the air fryer in the background
    Taquitos in Air Fryer
  • taking a bite out of the juicy bratwurst with the tray of beer brats in the background
    Air Fryer Beer Brats
  • plate of fresh hush puppies and dipping sauce in front of the air fryer
    Air Fryer Hush Puppies

Tried this recipe? Please leave a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page. You can also stay in touch with me through social media by following me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook!

Air fried chicken meatballs on a plate with a Bang Bang sauce and topped with garnish.

Air Fryer Bang Bang Chicken Meatballs

These are a firecracker meatball that is made with chicken and packs a punch. It is so simple to make, and great as a dinner or appetizer.
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 226kcal
Author: Ginny

Equipment

  • Air Fryer

Ingredients

  • 1 pound Organic Chicken ground
  • 1 Sweet Onion finely chopped
  • 1 tsp Garlic minced
  • 2 tbsp Parsley finely chopped
  • 1 Egg
  • ½ cup Ritz Crackers crushed
  • ⅓ cup Teriyaki Sauce
  • 1 tsp Pepper
  • 1 tbsp Coarse Ground Garlic Salt with Parsley
  • Spray Olive Oil

Bang Bang Sauce

  • ¼ cup Greek Yogurt
  • ½ cup Sweet Chili Sauce
  • Parsley finely chopped for garnish

Instructions

  • Add the ground chicken to a large bowl. Sprinkle with the coarse ground garlic salt, seasoned pepper. and finely chopped parsley.  Stir together and add the chopped onion, minced garlic, egg, and crushed Ritz crackers.  
  • Stir well to combine all of the ingredients together.  Add the Teriyaki Sauce and mix well.
  • Form this mixture into meatballs about 1 ½ inches in diameter.  Place the formed meatballs in the Air Fryer basket, and spray lightly with the Spray Olive Oil.
  • Set the Temperature to 400 degrees and the time to 12 minutes.  About half way through cooking, turn the meatballs, and lightly spray with the Spray Olive oil. 
  • Finish cooking, and check the meatballs to ensure they're done – they should be golden brown with no pink on the inside; just cut one open to make sure they are cooked through.  If they are not completely cooked, give them another few minutes in the air fryer and check them again.

Make the Bang Bang Sauce

  • In a large bowl, add the Greek Yogurt and the Sweet Chili Sauce.  Stir together until well blended, and then toss with the cooked Meatballs to coat thoroughly, Sprinkle with finely chopped Parsley.  If you prefer to serve the sauce on the side, then mix in a small bowl, and place on the serving table. 

Notes

Ninja Foodi or Instant Pot Duo Crisp: If you have one of these devices just use the crisping lid to cook your chicken meatballs.
Air Fryer Variation: Air Fryers do vary in temperature, and times, so just make sure the meatballs have finished cooking – or if they need more time.  Just add two minutes, and check them again, and keep adding two minutes until they’re completely cooked through.
Storage: Store any leftovers in the fridge for up to three to four days.
Freezer Friendly: If you don’t eat all your air fryer meatballs right away, you can freeze for up to three months. Place them on a baking sheet and letting them freeze for 1-2 hours. Then put them in a freezer bag. This will prevent them from sticking to each other. 
Meal Prep: Meal prep these and make them early by prepping them all through the sauce and put in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Pull out and cook in Air Fryer and add sauce. Meal prep/freeze these by making the meatballs (without the sauce) and place on a sheet pan to freeze for about 6 hours. Remove from the freezer and then place in a freezer safe ziplock bag and seal. When ready to use, remove from the freezer the night before you are going to make them and place in refrigerator. When it is dinner time, cook as directed and make/add sauce. 
Doneness: The temperature of the meatballs needs to be 165 degrees. It’s important not to overcook or undercook them. An instant-read thermometer is best.
Don’t Overcrowd: Don’t put the meatballs close together when cooking them.
Otherwise, they won’t cook properly.
Use Olive Oil Spray: When greasing the air fryer, it’s best to use a spray bottle with olive oil and not non-stick spray. The spray tends to gum up the basket after long term use.
Crackers: You can swap the Ritz crackers for Club crackers or bread crumbs if you want. All are good and will add flavor.
Don’t Over-mix: Don’t over-mix the chicken mixture when preparing the meatballs. If you overwork it, you will find the meatballs tend to become dense and harder.
Dry Meatballs: There are several things that can cause the meatballs to be dry. First, if you over-mix the meat mixture before you start, it compacts the ingredients and causes them to dry out as it cooks. Another thing would be that they are overcooked. Instead, check the temperature periodically so this doesn’t happen. There is also a chance that your air fryer heats a little higher than it reads. You might need to turn the temperature down some the next time you make them. 

Nutrition

Serving: 2g | Calories: 226kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 93mg | Sodium: 934mg | Potassium: 538mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 155IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 45mg | Iron: 2mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @savorandsavvy or tag #savorandsavvy!
Air Fryer Bang Bang Chicken MeatballsAir Fryer Bang Bang Chicken MeatballsAir Fryer Bang Bang Chicken MeatballsAir Fryer Bang Bang Chicken Meatballs
« The Best 40 Instant Pot Sunday Dinners
Air Fryer Jerk Chicken »

About Ginny

Hi! My name is Ginny and I know how busy life can be! I am a mom working hard to prepare healthy meals for my family that is always on the go!

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Family Photo Hi! I'm Ginny and for over 30 years, I've been creating simple and easy recipes without sacrificing on taste for our family on the go. I can't wait to show you how to do the same for your family. Read More...

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Search

join our facebook community for printables.

As Featured In

graphic showing all of the publications that feature Savor and Savvy.

Popular Posts

bowl of teriyaki chicken over a bed of white rice, two chopsticks and sprinkled with sesame seeds

Honey Teriyaki Chicken Recipe

This oven baked eggs recipe is an easy fix for rushed morning breakfasts! These eggs are baked in muffin pans and are ready in just 15 minutes.

How to Bake Eggs in Oven in Muffin Tin {15 Minutes Meal Prep}

How to Clean Stove Drip Pans Naturally

top down view of a desk with three printable pages on top.

Dot Grid Paper Printable for Bullet Journaling + Planners: U.S. Letter, 8×10, A4, A5, A6 and Pocket, Personal Sizes

Adorable pet care binder cover sheet with paw prints and a grey heat

Adorable Pet Care Binder FREE 12 Pages of Printable Worksheets

After cooking, the livers will be golden brown as shown on this air fryer tray

Air Fryer Chicken Livers

Several pages of worksheets from the medical binder over a marble background

Medical Binder Printables with Worksheets

This easy cilantro lime rice recipe will feed your chipotle cravings, without having to leave home! This easy side dish is the perfect addition to a homemade burrito bowl or any other simple meal requiring an extra kick of flavor.

Cilantro Lime Rice Recipe

Footer

^ back to top

About

  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Accessibility Policy

Contact

  • Contact

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.