Salisbury Steak Meatballs in Air Fryer
Buy our air fryer e-cookbooks today We’re huge fans of salisbury steak and gravy. The flavorful patties are so good especially when warm gravy is poured on top. Now we made an easy version of salisbury steak meatballs in air fryer recipe and we’re even more obsessed!
Easy Salisbury Steaks in Air Fryer
It all started when we created our version of air fryer salisbury steak with gravy. We love eating this so much and decided to create an meatball version. These are great as an appetizer, snack or main meal when served with rice, pasta or mashed potatoes. Now you can enjoy this in the traditional patty shape or as meatballs.
Gravy with Air Fried Salisbury Steak Meatballs
The homemade onion and mushroom gravy is an extra step that is made on the stove top. But it’s a killer gravy and although it takes a little more time, it’s worth it. Don’t forget to make the gravy. The meatballs are already tender, but the savory gravy just makes the dish so much better. Everyone loves gravy!
Video: Recipe for Salisbury Steak Meatballs in Air Fryer
Tips on Air Frying Salisbury Steak Meatballs
- Tender meatballs: Adding some dried bread crumbs really makes the air fried meatballs tender. You can also use crushed crackers. It’s a great way to use up old crackers.
- Be Gentle : When forming the meatballs don’t press on the too firmly. This will make the mixture too dense and less soft and crumbly. Be gentle but don’t pack the meat too tight.
- The egg is what makes them juicy in the center.
- Oil helps to keep meatballs from drying out. A light spray of oil on the outside of the meatballs will keep them from drying out during air frying.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. You want just a single layer inside the basket. For a smaller air fryer or if you are making a larger batch, cook in batches if needed.
- Remember to turn the salisbury steak meatballs halfway through when you cook meatballs so that they air fry evenly on all sides.
- All air fryer salisbury meatballs recipe details are in the recipe box below.
Air Fryer Salisbury Steak Meatballs with Mushroom Gravy
Ingredients
For The Meatballs:
- 1 pound (454 g) ground beef
- 1/4 cup (27 g) bread crumbs (or breading or choice – crushed pork rinds, panko, almond flour, etc.)
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons (10 ml) Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) garlic salt
- 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) mustard powder , optional
- 1/4 teaspoon (1.25 ml) salt , or to taste
- lots of black pepper
For The Mushroom Gravy:
- 1/4 cup (57 g) butter or olive oil
- 8 oz. (227 g) mushrooms , sliced
- 2 cloves garlic , minced
- 1/4 cup (30 g) flour
- 3 cups (710 ml) cold broth
- salt , to taste
- black pepper , to taste
Equipment
Instructions
- Form the meatballs: In large bowl mix together all the steak ingredients (beef, bread crumbs, egg, Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, garlic salt, optional mustard powder, salt, and black pepper).
- Lightly oil your hands to help keep the meat from sticking to your hands as you form the meatballs.
- Shape the meat into 12 evenly sized meatballs about the size of a heaping 1/8 cup (a medium cookie scoop also works great for forming the meatballs). Set aside while you start to make the gravy.
- Make the gravy: Heat a large pan over medium-high and then melt butter or add olive oil. Add mushrooms and cook until golden and excess mushroom liquid evaporates, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another minute, or until translucent.
- Whisk the flour into the broth until smooth. Add the broth to the mushrooms and heat to a simmer. Season with salt and pepper, to taste (the saltiness and flavors will concentrate some when it reduces down).
- Once gravy starts to boil, reduce heat to Low. Stirring often, simmer until the gravy starts to thicken, about 10 minutes. Set aside.
- Cook the meatballs (we like to start when the gravy is simmering): Preheat air fryer at 380°F/193°C for about 5 minutes.
- Lightly spray the basket/tray of the air fryer with oil. Add the meatballs into an even layer. Spray the meatballs with oil to lightly coat.
- Air Fry at 380°F/193°C for 8 minutes, then turn the meatballs. Spray meatballs with additional oil if they look dry.
- Continue to Air Fry at 380°F/193°C, for another 2-4 minutes or until cooked through or to your liking.
- Serve the salisbury steak meatballs topped with the mushroom gravy.
If your air fryer is preheated or if you are cooking multiple batches, you may need to reduce timing by a few minutes (unless preheating is called for in the recipe).
Video
Nutrition Information per Serving
What type of ground meat?
Classic salisbury steak uses ground beef. But with so many other options now, you don’t have to stick to tradition.
- Healthy ground turkey or ground chicken are good options.
- Ground pork and ground lamb are loaded with extra flavor.
- For a vegan option, use beyond meat or impossible meat for a plant based salisbury steak meatball.
- here’s an interesting article about the history of salisbury steak.
Ideas on serving meatballs with gravy
Classic ways of serving salisbury steak meatballs is on top of mashed potatoes or on top of pasta. But here’s some new and different ways to enjoy the classic salisbury steak with gravy (in meatball form)
- Rice, brown rice, red rice, quinoa or couscous.
- Any type of pasta. Egg noodles would be awesome.
- Orzo is another great variation of pasta product that is great.
- Make a meatball sub or sandwich and add a bunch of gravy on top.
Freezing leftover meatballs
It’s easy to freeze extras. Just store them in air tight conatiners or plastic bags. When ready to eat, take the out of the freezer and let them thaw in the fridge for a day. Or you can re-heat then in the microwave or cook them in the gravy or even tomato sauce.
More Easy Recipes:
- Frozen meatballs in the air fryer (pre-cooked meatballs)
- Instant pot meatballs recipe
- Homemade air fryer meatballs in 15 minutes
- steak bites in the air fryer
