Bison Meatballs

Mouthwatering Bison meatballs made with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley. Easy methods for both the oven and the air fryer. Makes 32 balls.

Course Appetizer, Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 25

Total Time 40

Servings

Calories 259kcal

Author Amee

Equipment

1 Air Fryer for air fry method
1 Baking sheet for oven method
Wire rack for oven method

Ingredients

24 oz ground bison
½ cup panko breadcrumbs can use gluten-free or regular
3 tablespoon milk or buttermilk- you can also sub with warm water if you can't do dairy
1 tbsp olive oil
1 large egg lightly beaten
½ cup parmesan cheese grated
1 large garlic clove minced
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 tablespoon fresh parsley finely chopped
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper

Instructions

In a large bowl, mix all of the ingredients using your hands or a stand mixer with a paddle attachment until thoroughly combined.
Scoop out 2" size balls onto a lined baking sheet (I love using a small cookie scoop so there is minimal shaping required) and roll into balls.
Air Fryer Method:
Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F. and spray the basket with olive oil spray.
Place the meatballs into the air fryer, working in two batches, so that the basket is not overcrowded.
Mist the top of the meatballs with olive oil spray and cook for 8 minutes, shaking basket half way.
Oven Method:
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. and line the bottom of a baking sheet with foil and top with a wire rack.
Place the meatballs on the rack and bake on the middle oven rack for 25 minutes, turning half way, until lightly golden.

Notes

*This recipe has 8 servings of 4 meatballs each with 20 grams of protein. For higher protein needs, just increase the number of meatballs per serving.

Don't overwork the meat. Making homemade meatballs is a foolproof process, as long as you don’t fuss with the bison mixture more than you need to. Overmixing can result in tough, dense meatballs, so mix just until incorporated, then roll the mixture into balls.

Taste test. After combining the ingredients, cook a spoonful in a hot pan (or microwave) to taste and ensure the meat is adequately seasoned. Add more minced garlic and seasonings if needed.

Bison internal temperature. Use a cooking thermometer to check for doneness. The USDA recommends ground bison meat reach an internal temperature of 160°F before it's safe to consume.

Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. This recipe yields about 32 meatballs, so if you opt for air frying, you'll likely need to cook the meatballs in two separate batches.

Nutrition