Air Fryer Meatball Subs are a straightforward, wholesome twist on the basic. Made with selfmade meatballs, marinara, and cheese all tucked right into a roll for a fast, high-protein dinner your loved ones will love!
Meatball Subs
Air Fryer lovers, this Air Fryer Meatball Sub recipe is a game-changer for busy weeknights! Juicy selfmade meatballs (I used floor hen, however you’ll be able to simply swap in turkey or beef), topped with marinara sauce and melted cheese, are tucked into heat rolls and crisped up within the air fryer for a more healthy, mess-free dinner. It’s a straightforward weeknight win and a lighter tackle the basic meatball sub. For extra fast and scrumptious meal concepts, take a look at my Dinner Concepts and Air Fryer Recipes collections—or seize much more recipes within the Skinnytaste Air Fryer Cookbook and Skinnytaste Air Fryer Dinners.
Why This Works
My air fryer is at all times on my counter—it’s a weeknight sport changer for meals like this meatball sub. As an alternative of heating up the oven or making a multitude on the range, all the things comes collectively quick with hardly any cleanup.
- Fast and Simple: No have to preheat a giant oven; the air fryer will get dinner performed in minutes.
- More healthy Twist: Utilizing lean floor hen or turkey retains it gentle with out shedding taste.
- Filled with protein: A wonderful supply of protein, making it superb for a high-protein food regimen.
- Meal Prep Pleasant – Cook dinner the meatballs forward and simply reheat them within the air fryer when able to serve.
Elements You’ll Want
Listed below are the substances for these straightforward meatball subs within the air fryer (see recipe card under for actual measurements).
- 93% Lean Floor Hen for a light-weight protein choice
- Binder: A big egg and breadcrumbs bind the meat combination collectively. Use plain or seasoned breadcrumbs, when you’re gluten-free, use gluten-free breadcrumbs.
- Low-Sodium Hen Broth provides moisture.
- Taste Elements: Contemporary parsley, grated Pecorino Romano cheese, and garlic all improve the flavour.
- Salt and Black Pepper for seasoning
- Portuguese Rolls are small, oval-shaped rolls which are smooth on the within and crusty on the skin, making them excellent for these meatball subs. Use gluten-free rolls if wanted.
- Marinara Sauce: Use your favourite store-bought jarred or selfmade marinara sauce. If you wish to make your personal, strive my Contemporary Tomato Sauce or Fast Marinara Sauce.
- Cheese: Soften sliced or shredded mozzarella, provolone, or Muenster cheese on prime of the sandwiches.
Find out how to Make Meatball Subs within the Air Fryer
To get dinner on the desk even sooner, put together the meatballs the day earlier than and refrigerate them in an hermetic container till able to prepare dinner. See the recipe card on the backside for printable instructions.
- Make the Meatballs by mixing all of the substances in a bowl and shaping them into 16 meatballs.
- How Lengthy to Cook dinner Meatballs within the Air Fryer: Line the air fryer basket with perforated parchment paper to forestall them from sticking (plus, it makes cleanup a lot simpler!). Air fry the meatballs at 400°F for 8 to 10 minutes, flipping them over midway via.
- Prep the Different Sandwich Elements: Heat the sauce on the range or microwave, then add the meatballs. Toast the sliced rolls within the air fryer to forestall them from getting soggy.
- Assemble the subs: Place 4 meatballs in every roll and prime with cheese. Line the basket with foil or parchment to maintain it clear, then air fry the sub for a minute to soften the cheese.
Variations
- Strive Totally different Meats: You possibly can swap in lean floor beef or floor turkey.
- Brief on time? Make the meatballs forward, then assemble while you wish to eat.
- Sneak in greens: Combine 1/2 cup of finely chopped spinach or grated zucchini into the meatball combination for further vitamin. Be sure you squeeze out the surplus liquid first to assist the meat maintain collectively.
- Swap the Herbs: Exchange parsley with basil, you can even use a teaspoon of dried herbs or Italian seasoning.
- Breadcrumb Choices: Should you solely have plain breadcrumbs, add half a teaspoon of dried oregano and onion powder. Panko can even work.
- No Pecorino? Substitute grated Parmesan.
- Add Spice: Should you like somewhat kick, sprinkle in some purple pepper flakes or use spicy marinara sauce.
- Swap up the Bread: Should you can’t discover Portuguese rolls, virtually every other form of roll will work, like ciabatta or hoagie rolls. You may even use a sliced baguette or French bread.
No air fryer? No downside!
- Bake the meatballs within the oven at 400°F for 20 minutes.
- Toast the bread immediately on the oven rack or a sheet pan.
- Place the assembled meatball subs on a sheet pan and warmth within the oven till the cheese melts.
Storage
- Refrigerate meatballs and sauce in an hermetic container for as much as 4 days. Retailer the bread and cheese in separate containers.
- Freeze the meatballs and sauce in a freezer-safe container for as much as 3 months.
- Thaw meatballs in a single day within the fridge or microwave them straight from frozen.
- Find out how to Reheat: Microwave the meatballs and sauce till heated via. Toast the bread, assemble the subs, and heat within the oven or air fryer till the cheese melts.
Extra Simple Air Fryer Dinner Concepts You’ll Love
For extra dinner concepts made with the air fryer, take a look at these 5 scrumptious air fryer recipes to encourage your subsequent meal!
Should you make this wholesome meatball sub recipe, I’d like to see it. Tag me in your images or movies on Instagram, TikTok, or Fb! And make sure to be a part of the Skinnytaste Neighborhood to see what everybody’s cooking!
Yield: servings
Serving Measurement: 1 sub
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Make the meatballs: In a big bowl, combine floor hen, breadcrumbs, hen broth, parsley, Pecorino Romano, garlic, egg, salt, and pepper till simply mixed. Roll into 16 meatballs.
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Air fry the meatballs: Spray the basket with oil or use air fryer parchment (finest choice to keep away from sticking). Place meatballs in a single layer (prepare dinner in batches if wanted). Air fry 400F 8–10 minutes, flipping midway, till golden and inside temp reaches 165°F.
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Warmth the sauce: Whereas the meatballs prepare dinner, warmth up the marinara sauce in a small saucepan or microwave and toss with meatballs.
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Toast the rolls: In the meantime cut up the Portuguese rolls and frivolously toast within the air fryer for 1 minute.
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Assemble the subs: Add 4 meatballs with sauce, prime with 1 slice of cheese, and return to the air fryer (place every on foil to keep away from spillage) and air fry for 1 minute till cheese melts.
Final Step:
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Serving: 1 sub, Energy: 494 kcal, Carbohydrates: 39 g, Protein: 41.5 g, Fats: 18.5 g, Saturated Fats: 6 g, Ldl cholesterol: 169 mg, Fiber: 1.5 g