Air Fryer Beef Meatballs with Black Bean & Honey Sauce

Ingredients

• 600 g Beef mince (Can use 80/20 ground beef for juicier meatballs)
• 1 medium Onion (Yellow or brown onion preferred)
• 2 medium Carrot (Peeled and sliced)
• 1 head Broccoli (Cut into florets)
• as needed Cooking oil spray (For greasing the dish)
• 1 tablespoon Instant beef flavored paste (Such as Better Than Bouillon or similar)
• 1 generous tablespoon Black bean paste (Fermented black bean paste, Asian section)
• 1 cup Boiling water (Add more as needed for sauce consistency)
• 1 tablespoon Honey (For sweetness)

Instructions

1. Prepare the meatballs

   Place 600g beef mince in a large mixing bowl. With clean hands, take small portions and roll into meatballs (about 1.5 inches in diameter). Place formed meatballs onto a plate.

   Time: PT10M

2. Grease the baking dish

   Lightly spray a Pyrex or oven-safe dish with cooking oil spray to prevent sticking.

   Time: PT1M

3. Arrange and air fry the meatballs

   Place the meatballs into the greased dish, letting them touch slightly. Place the dish in the air fryer and cook at 180°C for 20 minutes.

   Time: PT20M

   Temperature: 180°C

4. Chop and sauté the onion

   While meatballs cook, peel and chop the onion. Heat a large frying pan over medium heat, add a little oil, and sauté the onion until it starts to soften.

   Time: PT5M

5. Add and cook carrots

   Peel and slice carrots. Add to the pan with onions. Sauté until carrots begin to soften, about 5 minutes.

   Time: PT5M

6. Add broccoli and cook

   Cut broccoli into small florets and add to the pan. Toss and cook until broccoli is bright green and just tender, about 4 minutes.

   Time: PT4M

7. Combine meatballs and vegetables

   Once meatballs are done, add them to the pan with the cooked vegetables. Stir gently to combine.

   Time: PT2M

8. Make the sauce

   Add 1 tablespoon instant beef flavored paste and 1 generous tablespoon black bean paste to the pan. Pour in 1 cup boiling water and stir to combine. Add more water if needed for a saucy consistency.

   Time: PT3M

9. Add honey and simmer

   Add 1 tablespoon honey for sweetness. Stir well. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and sauce to thicken.

   Time: PT5M

   Temperature: Low

10. Serve

    Serve meatballs and vegetables hot, spooning sauce over the top. Enjoy with rice or noodles if desired.

    Time: PT0M

11. Cleanup

    Wash all used utensils, pans, bowls, air fryer basket, and cutting board. Wipe down counters and stove.

    Time: PT10M

Nutrition Facts

Calories

420

Protein

32g

Carbohydrates

18g

Fat

25g

Fiber

4g

Ingredient Substitutions

• Instead of Beef mince: Ground turkey, Ground pork, Plant-based mince
• Instead of Onion: Red onion, Shallots
• Instead of Carrot: Parsnip, Zucchini
• Instead of Broccoli: Cauliflower, Green beans
• Instead of Cooking oil spray: Olive oil, Vegetable oil
• Instead of Instant beef flavored paste: Beef bouillon cube (crushed), Soy sauce (for umami)
• Instead of Black bean paste: Hoisin sauce, Miso paste
• Instead of Honey: Brown sugar, Maple syrup

Equipment Needed

• Mixing bowl
• Pyrex or oven-safe dish
• Air fryer
• Large frying pan or skillet
• Stirring spoon or spatula
• Cutting board
• Knife
• Plate (optional)
• Measuring spoons (optional)
• Kettle or pot (for boiling water) (optional)

Critical Steps — Do Not Skip

• Rolling meatballs evenly for uniform cooking
• Cooking meatballs thoroughly in the air fryer
• Dissolving black bean and beef paste fully into the sauce

Chef Tips from the Video

• For extra flavor, add minced garlic or ginger to the sautéed onions.
• Serve over steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal.
• Leftovers make great meal prep lunches.

Troubleshooting

Storage

Refrigerator: Store in airtight container for up to 3 days.

Freezer: Freeze in airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in fridge before reheating.

Room temperature: Not recommended due to meat and sauce.

Make-Ahead Tips

• Meatballs can be formed and refrigerated up to 24 hours ahead.
• Vegetables can be chopped in advance and stored in airtight containers.