Description
These Cheese Stuffed Meatballs offer a deliciously juicy and flavorful bite, featuring lean ground beef wrapped around creamy brie cheese, seasoned with a blend of spices, and air fried to perfection for a crispy exterior. Perfectly paired with tangy cranberry sauce, they make a quick and satisfying appetizer or main dish.
Ingredients
Meatball Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 2 ounces brie, cut into 16 pieces
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
- ¼ cup breadcrumbs
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- Avocado oil cooking spray
Serving
- Cranberry sauce, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer: Set your air fryer to 400ºF and allow it to preheat fully, ensuring an even cooking temperature for the meatballs.
- Divide and fill beef: Flatten the ground beef and separate into 16 equal portions. Place a piece of brie cheese in the center of each portion.
- Form meatballs: Rub avocado oil on your palms to prevent sticking and shape each beef portion around the cheese, making sure to seal the edges tightly to keep the cheese inside during cooking.
- Prepare breadcrumb coating: In a shallow bowl, combine breadcrumbs, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, and dried thyme. Roll each meatball in this mixture until fully coated, then set aside.
- Air fry meatballs: Arrange the meatballs in a single layer inside the preheated air fryer basket. You may need to do this in two batches depending on your air fryer size. Spray the meatballs lightly with avocado oil cooking spray. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes or until the meatballs are browned and the internal temperature reaches 160ºF.
- Serve: Remove the meatballs carefully, let them cool slightly, and serve warm with cranberry sauce for dipping.
Notes
- Ensure the cheese is completely sealed inside the meatball to prevent leakage during cooking.
- Use a kitchen thermometer to check the internal temperature for food safety.
- These meatballs can be made ahead and refrigerated before air frying for convenience.
- For a gluten-free option, substitute breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs.
- Adjust seasoning to your preference; adding fresh herbs can enhance flavor.
