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A top down image of a round platter filled with meatballs and bowl of cranberry sauce. A sliced baguette, a cheese board, plates and festive decoration surround this platter.

Air Fryer Sausage Meatballs

The keys to delicious meatballs are the perfect balance of fat content to meat, and seasoning that does not overpower your taste buds, but leaves you craving another meatball… then another…
Using the combination of Grimm’s Spicy Italian & Bratwurst Sausages, solves both those challenges and takes the guesswork out of meatball preparation. Simply remove the casing, toss them in a bowl with a couple of eggs, panko & fresh herbs, roll into balls and before you know it, you are enjoying The Ultimate Meatballs!
These meatballs are sooooo delicious on their own but create the perfect festive treat when served with orange-jalapeño-cranberry sauce and baguette rounds!
To avoid disappointment, make extra! I doubled the recipe!
5 from 2 votes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Appetizer
Cuisine North American
Servings 24 meatballs

Equipment

  • Air Fryer

Ingredients
  

Orange-Jalapeño-Cranberry sauce:

  • 2 large jalapeños charred, seeds removed, and finely diced
  • 1 tablespoon white balsamic vinegar
  • 1 cup sugar
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoons rosemary finely chopped
  • ½ cup water
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest
  • 12 oz package fresh or frozen cranberries (3 cups)

Instructions
 

  • In a large bowl, mix sausage, pepper, eggs, breadcrumbs, parsley, and basil.
  • Form 3 cm (1 ¼ inch) meatballs (approximately 28.5 g/1 oz) and place on a parchment lined baking sheet. Lightly spray or brush a little olive oil on each meatball, then reshape with your hands to ensure the oil coats the entire ball.
  • Preheat air fryer to oven to 400°F.
  • Bake in batches for 8 minutes at 400°F, shaking the meatballs halfway through.
  • Serve with orange-jalapeño-cranberry sauce (instructions below) and baguette rounds for a delicious holiday appetizer.

Notes:

  • For crispier meatballs cook for an additional 2 minutes.
  • The olive oil is optional but helps create a crispier golden exterior.
  • Make extra to use on your favourite pasta or enjoy a mouth-wateringly good meatball sandwich!
  • Meatballs can also be baked in an oven at 400°F (on the parchment lined baking sheet - middle rack) for 10-12 minutes, shaking the pan 2-3 times for even cooking.

Orange-Jalapeño-Cranberry Sauce:

  • Char the jalapeños directly on a grill, gas stove burner or on a hot griddle pan. Remove jalapeños, place in a small bowl and cover with plastic wrap or a plate. Let steam for about 5 minutes. Using a paper towel wipe off charred skin, slice in half, remove seeds and finely dice.
  • To prepare the cranberry sauce add the white balsamic vinegar, sugar, jalapeños, salt, and rosemary in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-high heat, stir to combine. Add water, then stir with a wooden spoon until sugar is dissolved, reduce heat to low and simmer 2 minutes.
  • Add orange and cranberries, increase heat to medium-high and bring to a boil.
  • Reduce heat to medium and boil gently for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until cranberries have softened.
  • Spoon sauce into a bowl(s), cover and cool at room temperature. Refrigerate until serving time. Makes 2 cups

Notes:

  • Use a larger pot than needed and watch the cranberries to avoid them boiling over and making a mess.

Video

Keyword Cranberry Sauce recipe, meatball recipe, sausage, sausage meatballs
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