Holy cow (or should I say holy bison?), these tender and flavorful bison meatballs are SO GOOD. The parmesan cheese really brings these to the next level.This recipe includes baked meatballs and air fryer meatballs, so you can choose the best way to cook them!
If you’re looking for a healthier alternative to traditional ground beef meatballs, these delicious bison meatballs are packed with fresh herbs and bold flavors. Using lean ground bison, they’re a great choice for those following a keto diet, paleo recipes, or simply looking for a main course with fewer calories than traditional red meat options.
These meatballs would go perfect with on some Boursin Spaghetti Squash or in a tasty Tomato Soup. They have a lot of parmesan, so they actually go quite well with some pasta and pesto sauce, though red sauce would be excellent as well.
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💞 Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Easy weeknight dinner—ready in under 30 minutes!
- Works with pasta sauces, barbecue sauce, or spaghetti sauce.
- Can be served with zucchini noodles or as a meatball sub.
- Freezer-friendly—store leftover meatballs for up to 3-4 days or freeze for later.
- A healthier alternative to ground beef meatballs, with fewer calories and rich in animal protein.
🍴Ingredients
- Ground bison
- Breadcrumbs or panko
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Egg
- Milk
- Minced garlic (or garlic powder)
- Onion powder (or finely diced red onion or yellow onion)
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Dried oregano or Italian seasoning
- Smoked paprika
- Chopped fresh parsley
- Worcestershire sauce
See recipe card for quantities.
🍳 Instructions
Step 1: Preheat & Prep
For air frying: Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C). For baking: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or foil and lightly grease it.
In a large mixing bowl, combine ground bison, fresh herbs, seasonings, egg, milk, and breadcrumbs. Mix with a fork or hands until just combined—don’t overwork the ground meat, or the cooked meatballs may be tough.
Step 2: Shape the Meatballs
Using a small bowl of water or oil to keep hands damp, roll 1 tablespoon of mixture into homemade meatballs. Place them on a sheet pan or plate.
You can make them up to 1.5 tablespoon of mixture and use the same cooking time, but if you make them larger, be sure to check that they're fully cooked through and add a a couple minutes cooking time if necessary.
Step 3: Cook the Meatballs 🧑🍳 Oven Method
Arrange meatballs on a large baking sheet and bake for 15-18 minutes, flipping halfway, until they reach an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).For crispier meatballs, place them on a wire rack over the sheet pan while baking.
Step 4: 🍽️ Air Fryer Method:
Place meatballs in a non-stick skillet or directly into the air fryer basket in a single layer.Air fry for 10-12 minutes, shaking halfway through, until golden brown.
Hint: For extra juicy meatballs, avoid overmixing the bison and let the mixture sit for 5 minutes before shaping the meatballs.
Another Hint: Heat a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat and sear the meatballs for 2-3 minutes per side before finishing in the oven or air fryer.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
These easy bison meatballs are incredibly versatile:
- Toss with favorite marinara sauce or spaghetti sauce over pasta.
- Serve on zucchini noodles for a gluten-free bison meatballs option.
- Use in a meatball sub with melted mozzarella.
- Glaze with barbecue sauce for a sweet & savory twist as a nice appetizer.
- Pair as a side dish with roasted veggies or a fresh salad.
📋 Substitutions
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed pork rinds.
- Dairy-Free: Skip the Parmesan and use a dairy-free alternative or nutritional yeast.
- Egg-Free: Use a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flax + 3 tablespoon water, let sit for 5 minutes).
♨ Variations
- Spicy Bison Meatballs: Add ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce.
- Herby Mediterranean Style: Add ½ teaspoon cumin and swap parsley for fresh mint.
- BBQ Bison Meatballs: Toss in your favorite BBQ sauce after cooking.
🍴 Equipment
- Mixing bowl
- Baking sheet or air fryer
- Parchment paper (for baking)
- Meat thermometer
🍲 Storage
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze cooked or uncooked meatballs for up to 3 months.
- Reheat: Microwave, bake at 350°F (175°C) for 5-8 minutes, or air fry at 350°F for 3-4 minutes.
⭐ Top tip
For the best texture, lightly oil your hands when rolling the meatballs. This prevents sticking and helps create a smooth surface.
💭 FAQ
Ground bison has lower fat content, so it's closer to a lean, grass-fed beef than a full fat ground beef. Bison also has a game-y, sweeter, richer taste that beef doesn't have. It could be a healthier alternative due to its fewer calories and higher protein content.
Yes! Simply simmer them in tomato sauce or your favorite marinara sauce.
Use a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat, or bake at 350°F until heated through.
Most grocery stores carry ground bison in the meat section, or you can order online from sources like Butcher Box if that's easier for you.I personally get a 2 pound pack from Costco
💕 Related
Looking for other dinner recipes? Try these:
🍶 Pairing
I love these meatballs on pasta with some pesto sauce and a couple of side dishes:
📖 Recipe
Bison Meatballs
Equipment
- Mixing Bowl
- Baking Sheet
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground bison
- ½ cup breadcrumbs or panko
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoon milk or water
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano or Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika optional
- 2 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
Baked
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil and lightly grease it.
- In a large bowl, combine all ingredients. Mix gently with your hands until just combined—don’t overwork it, or the meatballs may be tough.
- Scoop about 1 tablespoon of mixture and roll into balls. (Tip: Lightly oil your hands to prevent sticking.)
- Arrange meatballs on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 15-18 minutes, flipping halfway, until they reach an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).
Air Fryer
- Preheat to 375°F (190°C) for a couple of minutes.
- In a large bowl, combine all ingredients. Mix gently with your hands until just combined—don’t overwork it, or the meatballs may be tough.
- Scoop about 1 tablespoon of mixture and roll into balls. (Tip: Lightly oil your hands to prevent sticking.)
- Arrange meatballs in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until they reach an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).
Nutrition
Conclusion
These easy bison meatballs are a perfect main dish for any meal. Whether you're serving them with pasta sauces, as a side dish, or meal prepping for the next day, these ground bison meatballs are flavorful, juicy, and packed with fresh basil and red onion.
Karina Goodley says
These are so cheesy and so good.