Turkey Curry Meatballs (Gluten-Free)

These turkey curry meatballs are gluten-free and delicious! They can be made ahead of time and cooked up quickly in the air fryer or oven. And, they are especially tasty when topped with this easy gluten-free curry sauce.

I love meal prepping and having meals all ready to go in the freezer! It makes meal planning so much easier especially when you have dietary restrictions. Today I am sharing these tasty crispy turkey curry meatballs that are gluten-free.

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Homemade turkey meatballs are such a great alternative to store-bought meatballs because you know what you are putting into them. Which is especially important when you have allergies. And, they can be added to any side dish recipe.

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Here are the supplies:

Before you make these gluten-free crispy turkey curry meatballs, gather these supplies to make the process a breeze.

• I use a Ninja Foodie air fryer with two baskets when I make these meatballs but any air fryer will work for this recipe.
• Glass mixing bowls – these are my favorite and they can go from the freezer to fridge to microwave without any issues.
• Cookie scoop – even though these are made for baking, I love using them to make the perfect-sized meatballs!
• Measuring cups and spoons – these are essentials in every kitchen.
• Small prep bowls – I like pre-measuring my ingredients in these little bowls before adding them to the ground meat. That way I can make sure I’ve got everything I need before I get my hands messy!

Ingredients:

Here’s your checklist of ingredients combining freshness, crunch, and savory goodness.

Makes 15-20 meatballs.

• Ground turkey – I use lean ground turkey but you can use whatever blend you find at your local grocery store.
• Eggs – add moisture and bind the ingredients together.
• Panko breadcrumbs – I use gluten-free panko but if you’re not Celiac, you can use regular panko breadcrumbs. They add lightness and texture to the turkey meatballs.
• Swiss Chard – I made this recipe using Swiss chard as we had an abundance of it in our garden at the time, but you can substitute it with spinach or kale.
• Curry powder – I use yellow curry powder but you can use any curry powder.
• Ground fennel – adds a slight sweetness to the meatball mixture.
• Ground coriander – is a bit citrusy and a bit sweet like ginger so it adds a nice flavor to the meatballs.
• Curry sauce – I like using this easy gluten-free curry sauce but you can top the meatballs with any curry sauce.

Directions:

Follow these easy steps to make this satisfying dinner.

Step 1 – Chop Swiss chard. Add to the ground turkey along with the eggs, panko, curry powder, fennel, and coriander.

Step 2 – Mix and place in the refrigerator for a couple of hours to let the panko absorb the liquid and to allow the flavors to blend.

Step 3 – Using a cookie scoop or soup spoon, scoop the mixture into rough golf ball-sized portions and add them to your air-fryer baskets. You should have approximately 15-20 portions.

Step 4 – Air fry at 400 degrees for about 10 minutes then stir. I like crispy meatballs so I cook them for an additional 5-10 minutes (15-20 minutes total) until they are done.

Step 5 – Serve with a curry sauce and a starchy side of your choice.

Success tips:

These tips will help you make the best gluten-free Crispy Turkey Curry Meatballs.

• To freeze the raw meatballs individually, make them and place them on lined baking sheets. Then freeze the meatballs for at least 1 hour before transferring them to a freezer bag for storage.
• To freeze the cooked meatballs, cook them and place them in foil containers, cover them, and then freeze them.

• It’s important to use the recommended amount of eggs and panko breadcrumbs in this recipe. The breadcrumbs absorb the egg and add lightness to the meatballs.
• I like adding a leafy green to the mixture to make the meatballs less tough. I used Swiss chard in this recipe but you could also use spinach, kale, or beet greens.
• Stir the meatballs halfway through cooking in the air fryer to encourage things to cook evenly.

• If you have a cookie scoop – use it! It’s a great way to make sure every meatball is the same size. If you have a smaller scoop, use it to make appetizer-sized turkey meatballs.
• Chilling the meat mixture in the fridge before making the meatballs enhances the flavor. This also gives the panko breadcrumbs a chance to soak up some moisture, and prevents the turkey meatballs from falling apart.

What to serve with turkey curry meatballs?

This easy tomato coconut curry sauce goes perfectly with the meatballs. Serve them with rice and your favorite vegetable!

Variations:

• Cooking the turkey meatballs in the air fryer is a great way to get the crispy texture. They can also be baked in the oven.
• If you don’t have gluten-free panko breadcrumbs, you can use gluten-free breadcrumbs for a finer texture or gluten-free oatmeal for a chunkier texture.

Frequently asked questions

Why are my turkey meatballs rubbery?

The main reason for rubbery meatballs is the lack of texture. When ground meat is packed too closely together, it cooks up rubbery and chewy. The best way to counteract this is to add texture to your meatballs by adding panko breadcrumbs and Swiss chard. You can also add some cooked rice, shredded zucchini, or even shredded carrots for texture. I find that letting the meat rest before cooking also helps.

Why are my turkey meatballs falling apart?

Meatballs need binders to glue the ingredients together. In this turkey meatball recipe, the eggs and gluten-free panko breadcrumbs act as the binder. The moisture in the eggs soaks into the breadcrumbs while the meat mixture is resting. As the meatballs cook, the protein in the eggs coagulates and adds strength and stability to the turkey meatballs so they don’t fall apart.

What is a gluten-free alternative to breadcrumbs in meatballs?

I like to use gluten-free panko breadcrumbs in meatballs but you can use gluten-free oatmeal or cooked rice as an alternative to breadcrumbs.

Can I substitute regular gluten-free breadcrumbs for gluten-free panko breadcrumbs?

Yes, they can be used interchangeably but regular gluten-free breadcrumbs will give your turkey meatballs a different texture than panko breadcrumbs. Gluten-free panko breadcrumbs are crispier and produce a lighter meatball.

Can Celiacs eat panko breadcrumbs?

Yes, provided they are made from gluten-free bread in a dedicated facility and labeled as such. I use Kikkoman Panko (Gluten-Free) but there are several gluten-free panko breadcrumb options to choose from.