Juicy, flavorful, and coated in tangy bbq sauce, these Air Fryer BBQ Bison Meatballs are a quick and easy appetizer or delicious dinner.
Ground bison is a major staple in our house. Not only do we love the taste of bison, but it's leaner and has more protein than beef. It's also so easy to use in recipes where you would traditionally use ground beef like bison bolognese or bison sloppy joes.
These Air Fryer BBQ Bison Meatballs are a deliciously juicy and protein-packed twist on a classic favorite. They are made with lean, bison and cooked to perfection in the air fryer, and then coated in a smoky-sweet barbecue sauce. Whether you're serving them as an appetizer (they are great for gameday), meal prepping for the week, or pairing them with your favorite sides, like sweet potato wedges or mashed potatoes, for a satisfying dinner, this recipe is quick, easy, and full of flavor. Get ready for a crowd-pleasing dish thatโs as simple as it's delicious!
Come along as I show you how to make these mouthwatering meatballs.
Ingredients
Substitutions
Bison- You can also use ground beef, turkey, lamb, pork, or chicken.
Almond flour- Gluten free or regular breadcrumbs or panko would work.
BBQ sauce- You can use your favorite kind of BBQ sauce. I love using The New Primal Nobal Made's classic bbq sauce to keep this recipe Whole30, but I usually just use whatever I have on hand.
Step by step
- Add all the ingredients, except the bbq sauce, to a large bowl. Use your hands to mix everything together.
- Roll the mixture into equal sized balls, about 1 inch, and set them on a plate. Place the plate in the refrigerator for 10 minutes, or longer, to firm up.
- Add the meatballs to the basket or tray of your air fryer in an even layer, and cook at 400 degrees for 9 minutes.
- Flip the meatballs, using tongs, and cook for an additional 3 minutes.
- While the meatballs are cooking, take the bbq sauce and add it to a medium sized saucepan, and cook on low till the meatballs are done.
- When the meatballs are done, add them to the pot with the BBQ sauce, coating them with the sauce. Let cook for up to 5 minutes. Serve with your favorite side.
Tips
Letting the meatballs sit in the refrigerator for at least 10 minutes before cooking will help them firm up and stay together while cooking.
Storing and reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
You can reheat the meatballs in the air fryer at 400 degrees for 5 minutes, then brush them with fresh BBQ sauce if needed.
Did you make this recipe? Please leave a star rating and comment! Your feedback is so important to me.
Recipe
Air Fryer BBQ Bison Meatballs (Gluten Free)
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds ground bison
- 1 egg
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
- โ cup almond flour
- ยฝ teaspoon garlic powder
- ยฝ teaspoon salt
- ยฝ teaspoon pepper
EQUIPMENT NEEDED
- Air fryer
- Medium Sauce Pan
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients, except the bbq sauce, to a large bowl. Use your hands to mix everything together.
- Roll the mixture into equal sized balls, about 1 inch, and set them on a plate. Place the plate in the refrigerator for 10 minutes, or longer, to firm up.
- Add the meatballs to the basket or tray of your air fryer in an even layer, and cook at 400 degrees for 9 minutes. Flip the meatballs, using tongs, and cook for an additional 3 minutes.
- While the meatballs are cooking, take the bbq sauce and add it to a medium sized saucepan, and cook on low till the meatballs are done.
- When the meatballs are done, add them to the pot with the BBQ sauce, coating them with the sauce. Let cook for up to 5 minutes. Serve with your favorite side.
Notes
Nutrition
*nutrition information is an approximate
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Hi, I'm Kaleena!
I'm a 30-something wife and dog mom who shares mostly gluten-free, dairy-free, Whole30, and Paleo-friendly recipes. Since doing my first Whole30 in 2017, I have completely changed my way of cooking. I love to create recipes made from real, flavorful ingredients that the whole family will love!
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