Air Fryer Firecracker Chicken Meatballs

Check ingredients as you prepare them. These checks stay on this page.

• 2 Tbsp olive oil
  Ingredient note

  Source: 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
  Ingredient note

  Source: 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 Tbsp minced chives (optional but recommended)
  Ingredient note

  Source: 1 Tbsp minced chives (optional but recommended)
• 1 tsp kosher salt
  Ingredient note

  Source: 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1 tsp onion powder
  Ingredient note

  Source: 1 tsp onion powder
• 3/4 tsp black pepper
  Ingredient note

  Source: 3/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  Ingredient note

  Source: 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 2 each large eggs (lightly beaten)
  Ingredient note

  Source: 2 large eggs (lightly beaten)
• 2 lbs ground chicken (or ground turkey)
  Ingredient note

  Source: 2 lbs. ground chicken (or ground turkey)
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  Ingredient note

  Source: 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
  Ingredient note

  Source: 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
• 2 Tbsp minced parsley (optional - for garnish)
  Ingredient note

  Source: 2 Tbsp minced parsley (optional - for garnish)
• 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
  Ingredient note

  Source: 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup hot sauce (we normally use Franks)
  Ingredient note

  Source: 1/2 cup hot sauce (we normally use Franks)
• 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
  Ingredient note

  Source: 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 Tbsp light soy sauce
  Ingredient note

  Source: 1 Tbsp light soy sauce
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  Ingredient note

  Source: 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt (use less if your soy sauce was regular instead of light or reduced sodium)
  Ingredient note

  Source: 1/2 tsp kosher salt (use less if your soy sauce was regular instead of light or reduced sodium)
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes
  Ingredient note

  Source: 1/2 - 1 tsp red pepper flakes; upper source range endpoint used for shopping.

1. In a small saucepan, add all firecracker sauce ingredients (brown sugar, hot sauce, vinegar, soy sauce, garlic powder, salt, and red pepper flakes).
2. Cook over MED heat, stirring often, until sauce is combined and thickened. This will take about 7-10 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.
3. Be aware the sauce will thicken as it cools, but if it gets TOO thick during the cooling process, add a teaspoon of water at a time until it reaches the consistency you're looking for.
4. In a large mixing bowl, add olive oil, garlic, chives, salt, onion powder, pepper, smoked paprika, and eggs, and whisk well to combine.
5. Add the ground chicken, panko, and Parmesan cheese and use your hands to combine, being careful not to over mix. Over mixing meatballs can yield meatballs that are tough, instead of tender.
6. Preheat air fryer to 400°F.
7. Scoop meat (we like to use a cookie scoop), and form into meatballs, roughly 2 inches in diameter.
8. Spray the basket of the air fryer with nonstick cooking spray (we like to use an olive oil or avocado oil spray), then add meatballs in a single layer. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in batches.
9. Spray the meatballs with nonstick spray and air fry at 400°F for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes is up, use tongs to flip meatballs over, spray again with oil spray, then air fry another 5-7 minutes.
10. Meatballs are done cooking when an instant read thermometer reads 165°F.
11. Remove meatballs and dip them, one at a time, in the firecracker sauce. After dipping one, return the meatball to the air fryer basket and repeat for all remaining meatballs.
12. Air fry for 2 more minutes, then remove and serve with any remaining sauce. Sprinkle with parsley if desired.