Thursday, December 30, 2021

Well Plated by Erin

Well Plated by Erin


Your Favorite Recipes of 2021

Posted: 30 Dec 2021 03:02 AM PST

Your Favorite Recipes of 2021

A collage of recipe images for 2021

IT’S HERE! The official list of Your Favorite Recipes of 2021 and one of my favorite posts to create each year.

A collage of recipe images for 2021

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After reviewing all the new recipes that we shared this year, it was clear that 2021 was the year of the air fryer and the basics.

  • You loved following along with my growing air fryer obsession (I tried everything from Air Fryer Shrimp to Air Fryer Grilled Cheese).
  • You appreciated recipes that are simple and timeless (hello, chicken breast all-the-ways).

While we saw a bit more normalcy in our lives and kitchens this past year (AKA less bread baking and pantry staples), it was still a challenge.

I suspect that many of you continued to seek ways to recreate restaurant favorites at home (me too!) and looking for easy, healthy, family-friendly recipes that could be made week after week.

Together we learned the importance of a well-cooked chicken breast and pork tenderloin, discovered the magic that is the air fryer, snuggled up with classic comfort foods, and enjoyed healthy, year-round favorites like cool and creamy smoothies.

As always, I am truly and deeply honored that so many of you chose to make and serve Well Plated recipes this year. From New Year’s Day to Easter to Halloween to Christmas, I loved seeing your photos and reading your comments and emails. It makes my day to hear from you!

As we enter into 2022 with hope and excitement, I look forward to sharing so many more easy, healthy recipes with you!


healthy potato salad with olive oil dressing

11. Healthy Potato Salad

“I didn't think I would ever be able to enjoy a potato salad as much as the old mayo classic. I was wrong! I made it exactly as the recipe suggests and it was delicious!! Everyone enjoyed. Next time I am doubling!” – Katie

Baked bone in chicken breast on a plate

10. Baked Bone In Chicken Breast

“Exactly as described, flavorful, juicy and perfectly cooked. This is my new recipe I will use every time I make chicken. Terrific.” – Lisa

Two peach smoothies in glasses

9. Peach Smoothie

“It. Was. BOMB! So creamy and so so delicious.” – Jamie

Healthy Instant Pot pork tenderloin with sauce

8. Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin

“This was the best pork loin we've ever had. So tender and perfect meat. This will be my go-to pork recipe. Yum!” – SmallSassy

Two healthy drinks in glasses

7. Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie

“Absolutely delicious, just had a glass of it now. Such a smooth creamy rich taste. Peanut butter flavouring comes through wonderfully. Great start to any day winter or summer alike.” – Ruth

A sliced oven roasted chicken breast in a bowl

6. Baked Chicken Breast

“The best baked chicken breasts EVER. So moist and tender. I've made them 3 times in the past 2 weeks doubling the recipe.” – Ann

Air fryer french fries with ketchup

5. Air Fryer French Fries

“These are so delicious!! So crispy and perfect – I will never need another air fryer french fry recipe again – thank you!” – Gabby

Chicken breasts on a plate with a lemon soy marinade

4. Chicken Marinade

“Just wow. This produced the best, most flavorful chicken I've ever had. Have already used it twice in the last week!” – Janet

Brussels sprouts in a bowl with cheese

3. Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts

“These were so good! They were some of the best I've ever made.” – Liz

Ground beef and potatoes with red peppers in a pot

2. Ground Beef and Potatoes

“Um, yum! This has become a family favorite. Even my picky 10-year-old son likes it!” – Sara

1. Air Fryer Chicken Breast

“Oh my! Erin promised juicy chicken breast and she delivered!. The best ever! The only way to make chicken breast.” – Marie


A Look Back—Reader Favorites from Prior Years

Not finding what you are looking for? I have hundreds of more easy, healthy recipes in my Recipe Index.

READ: Your Favorite Recipes of 2021

Air Fryer Meatballs

Posted: 29 Dec 2021 08:53 AM PST

Air Fryer Meatballs

Healthy air fryer meatballs on a plate

Air Fryer Meatballs are the new star of "meatball night." Made with lean ground turkey or chicken, Parmesan, and Italian spices, they have lusty, lightly crisp outsides and juicy interiors. The best of the meatball world!

Healthy air fryer meatballs on a plate

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Meatball night started when we first moved downtown and found ourselves within walking distance of a truly stellar Italian market.

The weekly Friday night routine became walking over there to pick up wine, homemade pasta, red sauce, and charcuterie.

We'd then sip and snack while I made a new meatball recipe to go along with our spoils.

Every now and then we change it up and go with homemade pizza (usually with this easy Whole Wheat Pizza Dough), but for a simple dinner at home that still feels special, Italian is hard to beat.

Air fryer meatballs on a plate with marinara sauce

Plus, I am not sure when you last cooked meatballs, but they are SO GOOD and so rewarding.

Meatballs are a comfort food that speaks to my soul!

Most often, I make Baked Turkey Meatballs or Baked Chicken Meatballs.

I started to wonder how they would fair in our air fryer (this is the air fryer model I purchased).

In a word: FAB-U-LOUS (or should I say, buonissimo)!

Air fryer meatballs pasta with sauce

How to Make Air Fryer Meatballs

These air fryer Italian meatballs are made with a blend of healthy ground turkey, Parmesan, and pantry spices.

Despite their leaner profile, I promise you, they are juicy and anything but bland.

They are date-night, pasta-night, meatball-night worthy in every way!


The Ingredients

  • Ground Turkey. Lean, protein-packed ground turkey is a delicious base for air fryer meatballs. It’s lighter but still has wonderful flavor.

Substitution Tip

You can also use ground chicken or lean ground beef for this recipe.

  • Parmesan. The cheesy, salty element that makes these meatballs taste extra scrumptious.
  • Breadcrumbs. Helps keep the meatballs moist. I used Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs because I love the extra flavor they add.
  • Italian Seasoning. An easy way to incorporate an array of herbs and spices that give the recipe an Italian flair.
  • Spices. Onion powder and garlic powder help incorporate onion and garlic flavor without disrupting the meatball texture.
  • Red Pepper Flakes. While this is an optional addition, I think a little spice make the meatballs even tastier.
  • Egg. The all-important binding agent.

The Directions

A mixing bowl with spices and cheese
  1. Stir the Parmesan, breadcrumbs, herbs, and spices together in a bowl.
Ground turkey and spices in a bowl
  1. Add the turkey. Beat the egg, then add it to the bowl. Mix everything together.
Meatballs on a baking sheet
  1. Shape the mixture into 1 1/2-inch meatballs. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Meatballs in an air fryer basket
  1. Lay the meatballs in an air fryer basket coated with non-stick spray.
Crispy air fryer meatballs in an air fryer
  1. Air fry the meatballs at 400 degrees F for 7 to 9 minutes, flipping them halfway through.
  2. Repeat with the remaining meatballs.
  3. Prepare any items you’re serving with the meatballs while they cook. ENJOY!

Dietary Note

For gluten free air fryer meatballs, swap the Italian breadcrumbs for a gluten free variety.

A gray plate with crispy air fryer meatballs

Ways to Serve Air Fryer Meatballs

A plate with pasta, air fryer meatballs, and sauce

Storage Tips

  • To Store. Refrigerate meatballs in an airtight storage container for up to 3 days.
  • To Reheat. Rewarm leftovers on a baking sheet in the oven at 350 degrees F or in the microwave.
  • To Freeze. Place meatballs in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Transfer the frozen meatballs to an airtight freezer-safe storage container or ziptop bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Meal Prep Tip

Prepare the meatballs as directed through Step 4. Place the baking sheet of meatballs in the freezer until solid. Transfer the uncooked frozen meatballs to an airtight freezer-safe storage container or ziptop bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Cook directly from frozen as directed, adding a few extra minutes to the cook time.

Easy air fryer meatballs on a plate

What to Serve with Air Fryer Meatballs

Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe

The Best Air Fryer

No matter which air fryer recipe you’re making, this model is up for the task. It’s a larger size (more space for meatballs!) and has multiple cooking programs.

Healthy air fryer meatballs on a plate

Did you make this recipe?

Let me know what you thought!

Leave a rating below in the comments and let me know how you liked the recipe.

Let’s make every night meatball night!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Make Air Fryer Meatballs without Breadcrumbs?

I haven’t tried this personally, but I do think you could experiment with cooking my Whole30 Meatballs (which do not contain breadcrumbs) in the air fryer.

Should I Line the Air Fryer Basket with Foil?

Although you can put foil in the air fryer, I do not think it is necessary for this recipe. The basket is very easy to clean and the meatballs do not make much of a mess.

Can I Cook Frozen Meatballs in the Air Fryer?

Yes, you can cook frozen meatballs in the air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F. Place frozen meatballs in a single layer in an air fryer basket coated with non-stick spray. Spray the top of the meatballs too. Cook for 9 to 11 minutes, until cooked through. Repeat with any remaining meatballs.

Is It Better to Bake or Fry Meatballs?

Fried meatballs give you a nice, crispy exterior, but they are very hands-on to make, can be a mess to clean, and are oily. Baked meatballs are cleaner and leaner. The air fryer gives you the best of both worlds! They are crispy inside and tender inside (like fried meatballs) but use very little fat or oil (like baked meatballs).

Air Fryer Meatballs Video

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Healthy air fryer meatballs on a plate
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Air Fryer Meatballs

Air Fryer Meatballs are juicy inside, lightly crispy outside, with yummy Italian seasoning. Use them for spaghetti, subs, and more!
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 20 meatballs
Calories 53kcal

Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese plus additional for serving
  • 1/3 cup Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs whole wheat if possible
  • 1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes or 3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
  • 1 pound 93% lean ground turkey, chicken, or lean ground beef keep in your refrigerator until the last possible second so it stays very cold
  • 1 large egg

FOR SERVING:

Instructions

  • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and keep it handy. To keep the meatballs warm between batches, preheat the oven to 300 degrees F and line a second baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • In a large mixing bowl, add the Parmesan, breadcrumbs, parsley, salt, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Stir well to combine.
    A mixing bowl with spices and cheese
  • Add the ground turkey. In a small bowl, beat the egg, then add it to the bowl (you also can crack it into an open space in the big mixing bowl and lightly beat it there). With a fork or your fingers, mix lightly just until the ingredients are evenly combined, being careful not to compact the meat.
    Ground turkey and spices in a bowl
  • Portion the meat and shape into 1 1/2-inch meatballs (you will have about 20 total), then arrange them on the first baking sheet.
    Meatballs on a baking sheet
  • Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F. Generously coat the basket with non-stick spray. Arrange a single layer of meatballs in the basket, ensuring they do not touch so air can circulate (you will need to cook them in batches). Mist the tops with non-stick spray.
    Meatballs in an air fryer basket
  • Air fry the meatballs at 400 degrees F for 7 to 9 minutes, sliding out the basket and using tongs to gently turn the meatballs over halfway through. The meatballs are done when they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer. When a meatball is cut in half, the meat should look fully cooked.
    Crispy air fryer meatballs in an air fryer
  • Place the first batch of cooked meatballs on the second, clean baking sheet, and transfer to the oven to keep warm. Repeat with remaining meatballs.
  • While the meatballs air fry, warm the sauce on the stove, and prep any other items you'd like to serve them with them. Enjoy the meatballs hot, topped with the sauce, cheese, herbs, and any other additions.

Notes

  • Adapted from my Baked Turkey Meatballs.
  • TO STORE: Refrigerate meatballs in an airtight storage container for up to 3 days.
  • TO REHEAT: Rewarm leftovers on a baking sheet in the oven at 350 degrees F or in the microwave.
  • TO FREEZE: Place meatballs in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Transfer the frozen meatballs to an airtight freezer-safe storage container or ziptop bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
  • TO MAKE AHEAD: Prepare the meatballs as directed through Step 4. Place the baking sheet of meatballs in the freezer until solid. Transfer the uncooked frozen meatballs to an airtight freezer-safe storage container or ziptop bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Cook directly from frozen as directed, adding a few extra minutes to the cook time.

Nutrition

Serving: 1meatball | Calories: 53kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 26mg | Potassium: 64mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 58IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 31mg | Iron: 1mg

More Healthy Air Fryer Recipes

READ: Air Fryer Meatballs

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