Air Fryer Meatball Subs are a straightforward, wholesome twist on the traditional. 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 possibly can 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 traditional meatball sub. For extra fast and scrumptious meal concepts, try 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 all the time on my counter—it’s a weeknight recreation changer for meals like this meatball sub. As a substitute of heating up the oven or making a large number on the range, every thing comes collectively quick with hardly any cleanup.

• Fast and Straightforward: No must preheat a giant oven; the air fryer will get dinner completed in minutes.
• More healthy Twist: Utilizing lean floor hen or turkey retains it mild with out shedding taste.
• Filled with protein: A superb supply of protein, making it very best for a high-protein eating regimen.
• Meal Prep Pleasant – Cook dinner the meatballs forward and simply reheat them within the air fryer when able to serve.

Find out how to Make Meatball Subs within the Air Fryer

To get dinner on the desk even quicker, put together the meatballs the day earlier than and refrigerate them in an hermetic container till able to cook dinner. See the recipe card on the backside for printable instructions.

1. Make the Meatballs by mixing all of the substances in a bowl and shaping them into 16 meatballs.
2. 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 by.
3. 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.
4. 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

• Attempt Completely different Meats: You’ll be able to swap in lean floor beef or floor turkey.
• Quick on time? Make the meatballs forward, then assemble if you need to eat.
• Sneak in greens: Combine 1/2 cup of finely chopped spinach or grated zucchini into the meatball combination for further vitamin. Make sure to squeeze out the surplus liquid first to assist the meat maintain collectively.
• Swap the Herbs: Change parsley with basil, you may as well use a teaspoon of dried herbs or Italian seasoning.
• Breadcrumb Choices: In the event you solely have plain breadcrumbs, add half a teaspoon of dried oregano and onion powder. Panko may even work.
• No Pecorino? Substitute grated Parmesan.
• Add Spice: In the event you like slightly kick, sprinkle in some crimson pepper flakes or use spicy marinara sauce.
• Swap up the Bread: In the event you can’t discover Portuguese rolls, virtually some other form of roll will work, like ciabatta or hoagie rolls. You could possibly even use a sliced baguette or French bread.

No air fryer? No drawback!

• Bake the meatballs within the oven at 400°F for 20 minutes.
• Toast the bread straight 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 by. Toast the bread, assemble the subs, and heat within the oven or air fryer till the cheese melts.

Extra Straightforward Air Fryer Dinner Concepts You’ll Love

For extra dinner concepts made with the air fryer, try these 5 scrumptious air fryer recipes to encourage your subsequent meal!

In the event you make this wholesome meatball sub recipe, I’d like to see it. Tag me in your pictures or movies on Instagram, TikTok, or Fb! And you should definitely be a part of the Skinnytaste Neighborhood to see what everybody’s cooking!