You know those frantic holiday moments when guests arrive unexpectedly, and you need something impressive fast? That’s exactly when my air fryer turkey cranberry meatballs save the day. I discovered this sweet-savory combo during a Thanksgiving panic years ago – now it’s my go-to for everything from game nights to fancy appetizer spreads. The air fryer works magic here, giving you juicy turkey meatballs with that perfect caramelized glaze in under 30 minutes. No babysitting required, just set it and forget it (well, mostly – you’ll want to shake that basket!). These little flavor bombs prove healthy eating doesn’t mean sacrificing taste.

Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Turkey Cranberry Meatballs

These aren’t just any meatballs—they’re little bites of holiday magic that happen to be ridiculously easy. Here’s why they’ll become your new obsession:

Weeknight hero: From fridge to table in under 30 minutes (air fryer speed for the win!)
Sweet meets savory: That cranberry-honey glaze caramelizes into sticky perfection
Secretly healthy: Lean turkey keeps it light without losing that juicy texture
Holiday MVP: Fancy enough for parties, easy enough for lazy Sundays
Kid-approved: The sweetness makes even picky eaters gobble them up

Ingredients for Air Fryer Turkey Cranberry Meatballs

Gather these simple ingredients – I promise you probably have most already! The magic happens when they all come together:

1 lb ground turkey (go for 85/15 fat ratio – trust me, it keeps them juicy)
1/2 cup breadcrumbs (I use panko for extra crunch)
1 egg (our binding hero)
1/4 cup finely chopped onion (tiny pieces mean no one picks them out!)
1 tsp garlic powder (or fresh minced if you’re feeling fancy)
1/2 tsp salt & 1/4 tsp black pepper (the dynamic flavor duo)
1/2 cup cranberry sauce (whole berry or smooth – your call!)
2 tbsp honey (for that irresistible sticky sweetness)
1 tbsp soy sauce (our secret umami booster)
1 tsp olive oil (just enough for that perfect golden crust)

Equipment You’ll Need

Don’t worry—you won’t need any fancy gadgets for these turkey cranberry meatballs! Here’s what I always grab from my kitchen:

Air fryer (obviously—but any size works as long as the meatballs fit in a single layer)
Mixing bowl (I use my favorite big ceramic one—it’s seen many meatball batches!)
Measuring spoons (for those perfect flavor balances)
Small brush (to spread that glorious glaze—a spoon works in a pinch)

That’s it! No special tools required—just good old-fashioned mixing and air frying magic.

How to Make Air Fryer Turkey Cranberry Meatballs

Okay, let’s get these heavenly little meatballs going! The process is so simple you’ll wonder why you haven’t been making them every week. Just follow these easy steps, and you’ll have a plate full of sweet, glazed perfection in no time.

Step 1: Mix the Meatball Ingredients

First things first – grab that big mixing bowl and dump in your ground turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, onion, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Now roll up those sleeves and dig in with your hands! The secret here is to mix just until combined – don’t overwork it, or your meatballs might get tough. I like to use a gentle folding motion until everything looks evenly distributed. The mixture should hold together when you pinch it, but still feel moist.

Step 2: Shape and Cook the Meatballs

Now for the fun part! Scoop up about a tablespoon of the mixture and roll it between your palms to form 1-inch balls – think ping pong ball size. Lightly brush each one with olive oil (this helps them get that beautiful golden color). Arrange them in your air fryer basket in a single layer – no crowding or they won’t crisp up properly! Cook at 375°F for about 6 minutes, then give that basket a good shake to rotate the meatballs. Cook for another 4-6 minutes until they’re nicely browned and reach 165°F inside.

Step 3: Glaze and Finish Cooking

While those beauties are cooking, whisk together the cranberry sauce, honey, and soy sauce in a small bowl. When the meatballs are almost done, brush each one generously with the glaze – get it all over! Pop them back in for just 2 more minutes to let that glaze caramelize into sticky, sweet perfection. Careful when you take them out – that glaze will be hot and bubbly!

Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Turkey Cranberry Meatballs

After making dozens of batches (yes, I’m obsessed), here are my foolproof secrets for the best turkey cranberry meatballs every time:

Space is key: Never crowd your air fryer basket—layer in batches if needed. Those little guys need room to crisp up properly!
Parchment trick: Cut a round of parchment with slits to line the basket—prevents sticking without blocking airflow.
Size matters: Keep meatballs around 1-inch so the centers cook through before the outsides over-brown.
Glaze timing: Add the cranberry mixture at the end—if you put it on too early, it’ll burn before the meatballs cook.
Resting period: Let them sit 2 minutes after cooking—the glaze sets up beautifully and they’re less likely to fall apart.

Serving Suggestions

Oh, the possibilities! These turkey cranberry meatballs shine in so many ways – here are my favorite serving tricks:

Party platter: Stick with toothpicks alongside brie and crackers for easy grabbing
Dippable delight: Serve with extra cranberry sauce or a tangy yogurt dip on the side
Salad topper: Toss warm meatballs over arugula with goat cheese and walnuts
Meal magic: Pair with mashed sweet potatoes and roasted Brussels sprouts

Honestly? I’ve even eaten them straight from the air fryer basket – no judgement here!

Storage and Reheating

These little flavor bombs keep surprisingly well! Just pop any leftovers in an airtight container—they’ll stay moist and delicious in the fridge for up to 3 days. When you’re ready for round two, toss them back in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes to get that glaze all sticky again. Trust me, they’ll taste just as good as the first time—maybe even better now that the flavors have had time to mingle!

Nutritional Information

Here’s the scoop on what you’re eating – but remember, these are estimates that might change slightly based on your exact ingredients. Per serving (about 4 meatballs):

210 calories – light but satisfying!
18g protein – thanks to that lean turkey
18g carbs – mostly from the cranberry goodness
7g fat – just enough for that perfect texture

Not too shabby for something that tastes this indulgent, right?

FAQs About Air Fryer Turkey Cranberry Meatballs

Can I use frozen cranberry sauce?
Absolutely! Just thaw it first and give it a good stir to break up any lumps. I actually keep a stash of frozen homemade cranberry sauce just for these meatballs—it works like a charm.

How can I make these gluten-free?
Easy swap! Use gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed gluten-free crackers instead of regular breadcrumbs. Just check that your soy sauce is gluten-free too (or use tamari). I’ve done this for my cousin with celiac and she couldn’t tell the difference!

Can I prep the meatballs ahead?
You bet! Shape them and keep them covered in the fridge for up to 24 hours before cooking. The glaze is best made fresh though—it takes literally two minutes while the meatballs cook.

Help! My glaze is too thick/thin!
No worries—if it’s too thick, add a teaspoon of warm water. Too thin? Cook it in a saucepan for a minute to reduce. I like mine on the thicker side so it really clings to those meatballs.

If you are looking for other ways to use your air fryer, check out this air fryer roast chicken recipe for a main course!

For another sweet and savory appetizer idea, you might enjoy these air fryer bacon wrapped dates recipe.

If you want to see how ground turkey can be used in other ways, consider checking out a guide on nutritional information for turkey.

If you’re interested in the science behind why air frying works so well for crisping food, you can read more about air fryers and food safety from the FDA.

For more holiday-inspired air fryer cooking, see my recipe for air fryer cranberry orange scones recipe.

Juicy Air Fryer Turkey Cranberry Meatballs in 30 Minutes

Author: Ella Parker
Total Time: 29 mins
Yield: 20 meatballs 1x
Diet: Low Fat

Print Recipe

Description

Make juicy turkey meatballs with a sweet cranberry glaze in your air fryer. Perfect for a quick appetizer or main dish.

Ingredients

Scale

1 lb ground turkey
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
1 egg
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/2 cup cranberry sauce
2 tbsp honey
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp olive oil

Instructions

Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
In a bowl, mix ground turkey, breadcrumbs, egg, onion, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
Shape into 1-inch meatballs.
Lightly brush meatballs with olive oil.
Place meatballs in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
Cook for 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway.
In a small bowl, mix cranberry sauce, honey, and soy sauce.
Brush glaze over meatballs and cook for another 2 minutes.
Serve warm.

Notes

Use fresh or canned cranberry sauce.
Adjust cook time if meatballs are larger or smaller.
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 14 mins
Category: Appetizer
Method: Air Fryer
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 4 meatballs
Calories: 210
Sugar: 8g
Sodium: 380mg
Fat: 7g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Unsaturated Fat: 4g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 18g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 18g
Cholesterol: 85mg

Keywords: air fryer turkey meatballs, sweet cranberry meatballs, easy turkey appetizer