Air-Fryer Mushroom Meatballs

These vegetarian meatballs, made in the air-fryer, are a great substitute for any meatball centered meal. They use mushrooms as a base, but if you are not a mushroom fan don’t let that deter you (neither am I). The other flavorful ingredients make these meat balls a winner at any table. To make them vegan just substitute a flax egg for the regular one.

Why mushroom meatballs?

If you are like me you might be asking why you would put mushrooms in your meatballs? The answer is because I wanted to find a way to incorporate mushrooms into my diet but, I didn’t want to know they were there. I don’t like mushrooms, although it might just be the thought of eating a fungus that bothers me more that the vegetable itself. I wanted to conquer my detest of them.

I see mushrooms marked down at the grocery store regularly so I love having this recipe in my back pocket. Because of the flavors and textures given to the meatballs by their many ingredients, it is nearly impossible to pick out mushrooms as the base. I love how versatile the meatballs are. After they come out of the air-fryer they are ready to be thrown into any recipe you like. I have added them to pastas and gravies. I’ve even thrown them into Asian sauces to top rice. The possibilities are endless!

How can I use mushroom meatballs?

To make the meat balls into a quick appetizer, try them topped with your favorite BBQ sauce. Throw them in the broiler for a few minutes and they are ready to serve.

You can also put them into marinara for a classic dish of spaghetti and meatballs. Another way to serve them is by mixing them into a gravy and using it to top mashed potatoes or pasta. If you are looking for a unique way to eat the meatballs, try mixing them into a sweet an sour sauce as a meat substitute and serve over rice.

Ingredients

8oz Mushrooms I use whatever is cheapest. I am not a mushroom connoisseur since this is one of the few recipes I use them in.

1/2 cup Oats I’ve used both instant and rolled, they both work.

1/2 cup Bread Crumbs Sometimes if I don’t have any crumbs on hand I will just toast a slice of bread and use that instead. I have also just used additional oats and that worked out fine as well. Doing this also makes the recipe gluten free.

1/2 cup Walnuts These are essential to the texture in these mushrooms. I forgot them once and they were sorely missed.

1/2 Onion

Garlic I usually just use 1 tablespoon of the jarred stuff I can keep in the fridge, but 1-2 cloves of fresh is undeniably better. You can also substitute with 1/2 tsp garlic powder.

Seasonings For seasonings I usually use 1/2 tbsp Italian seasoning. If you are making a more Asian inspired meal I suggest substituting ginger, using either 1/2 tsp ground or 1 tbsp fresh minced.

1 Egg I have tried substituting a flax egg to make the recipe vegan and it worked well! Do this by mixing 1 tbsp ground flax with 3 tbsp water and letting it sit 5 minutes before mixing in.

What you will need

• Air-fryer (alternatively you can use an oven, but the air-fryer gives it a better texture.)
• Food Processor
• Small Ice Cream/Cookie Scoop

How to make air-fryer mushroom meatballs

Begin by rinsing the mushrooms and gently rubbing off any dirt.

Add the mushrooms, onions and all the dry ingredients to a food processor.

Pulse the ingredients until they become nicely minced then add the egg.

Pulse the mixture again until the ingredients are fully combined.

Use a cookie scoop or spoon to measure out the mixture into 20-24 balls about 2 tablespoons in size.

Place the meatballs onto a lightly greased air-fryer tray or basket and bake in an air-fryer at 350° for 10-12 minutes.

Pull the mushroom meatballs out of the air-fryer when they turn dark brown in color, just like a regular meatball.

Top with your favorite BBQ sauce and put them under a broiler, or mix them into your favorite meatball centered meal.

Air-Fryer Mushroom Meatballs

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Equipment

• Air-fryer
• food processor
• small Ice cream/cookie scoop

Ingredients

  

• 8 oz mushrooms
• 1/2 cup walnuts
• 1/2 onion
• 1/2 cup oats
• 1/2 cup bread crumbs or a toasted slice of bread
• 1 tbsp Italian seasoning or ginger
• 1 tsp pepper
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp minced garlic
• 1 egg

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven or air fryer to 350° F.
• Add all ingredients to a food processor and pulse a few seconds at a time until everything is minced nicely and begins clumping together.
• Shape mixture into 20-24 balls about 2 tbsp each, and place on a greased air fryer rack or cookie sheet.
• Bake at 350° F in the air fryer for 10-12 minutes rotating halfway through, or 15-18 minutes in the oven. When done the balls should look dark (the color of actual meat balls).