These Easy Air Fryer Chicken Taco Meatballs with Lime are my go-to meal prep heroes. Juicy, zesty, and full of lean protein, they're perfect for busy weeks when everyone in the house needs something fast and satisfying. My kids love popping a few right from the fridge for an after-school bite, and I love that they're getting a high-protein snack instead of reaching for something in a bag from the pantry.
Mini meatballs are a staple in our house - they fit neatly into lunchboxes, pack easily for work, and help me hit my protein macros in the most delicious way. If you love these, check out my Chipotle Chicken Meatballs, Buffalo Chicken Meatballs, or Chicken Pesto Meatballs next.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love These High Protein Chicken Taco Meatballs
- Ingredients for Air Fryer Chicken Taco Meatballs with Lime
- How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Taco Meatballs with Lime
- Substitutions for Air Fryer Chicken Taco Meatballs
- Fun Twists on Taco Meatballs
- Equipment
- How to Store Taco Meatballs
- Top Tip
- Behind the Recipe
- High Protein Taco Meatballs: FAQs
- More High Protein Recipes
- See the Latest from Whisk and Wine
- 📖 Recipe
- 💬 Reviews
Why You'll Love These High Protein Chicken Taco Meatballs
- Perfect meal prep snack - make once, enjoy all week.
- Kid-approved and freezer-friendly for quick grab-and-go moments.
- High in protein from lean ground chicken and blended cottage cheese, yet still tender and juicy.
- Big taco flavor with a hint of lime and spice - without the mess of shells or frying.
Ingredients for Air Fryer Chicken Taco Meatballs with Lime
These taco lime meatballs come together with simple, real ingredients - and a few homemade upgrades that make all the difference.
- Cottage Cheese
- Taco seasoning
- Ranch dressing
- Eggs
- Fresh lime
- Hot sauce
- Ground chicken
- Breadcrumbs- I love using my homemade breadcrumbs for extra texture and flavor.
See recipe card for quantities.
Quick Hint: Blend the cottage cheese smooth before adding it - it keeps these mini meatballs tender and juicy, even after chilling for meal prep.
How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Taco Meatballs with Lime
Quick to prep, easy to clean, and perfectly cooked in minutes.
- Blend. Blend cottage cheese, taco seasoning, ranch, eggs, lime juice, and hot sauce until smooth.
- Mix. In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, breadcrumbs, tomatoes, and the blended mixture. Use a serrated-edge food chopper for even texture.
- Scoop. Form mini meatballs with a melon baller or small scoop.
- Air fry. Arrange in a single layer and cook about 8-10 minutes until golden and fully cooked (165°F internal temp). Shake around 5 minutes to prevent sticking.
Substitutions for Air Fryer Chicken Taco Meatballs
One of my favorite things about these Air Fryer Chicken Meatballs is how easy they are to adapt. Whether you're swapping proteins, adjusting spice, or using what's already in your pantry, these simple substitutions keep the flavor bold and the prep effortless.
- Us
ehomemade breadcrumbs for extra flavor, or swap in plain or panko crumbs if you're out. - Substitute ground turkey or lean beef if preferred.
- Add ½ cup shredded Mexican cheese for richness.
- Stir in fresh cilantro or green chiles for extra brightness.
Fun Twists on Taco Meatballs
Once you've nailed the base recipe, have fun changing things up. These high-protein Air Fryer Chicken Meatballs are endlessly versatile - think taco bar night, quick sliders, or even meal-prep bowls with your favorite toppings.
- Mix in sweet corn for texture.
- Swap hot sauce for chipotle paste for smoky depth.
- Serve with avocado cream for a fun party appetizer
- Make sliders with buns, salsa, and guacamole.
Equipment
A few reliable tools make these Air Fryer Chicken Meatballs come together fast and cook perfectly every time. These are the pieces I reach for again and again when I'm batch-prepping for the week.
- Bella 4Qt Slim Ceramic Air Fryer - I use this PFAS-free air fryer for all my high-protein meal prep - it's non-toxic, easy to
- Blender - I love the Beast Premium Compact Blender when I make sauces. It's extremely powerful, and I love the aesthetic.
- Serrated-edge food chopper - one of the most underrated kitchen tools out there. Do yourself a favor and grab one. I use mine for everything - from breaking up ground chicken for meatballs like these to mixing tuna or chicken salad so it all comes together perfectly.
- I use this 1 tablespoon cookie scoop to speed up making my meatballs
- I love these non-toxic mixing bowls with lids. Plus, they're pretty!
How to Store Taco Meatballs
These Air Fryer Chicken Taco Meatballs with Lime are just as good the next day, which makes them perfect for meal prep. Once they've cooled, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days - they hold their moisture beautifully and stay tender. For longer storage, freeze the meatballs by transfering them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They'll keep well for up to two months and reheat like a dream. When you're ready to enjoy, pop them back in the air fryer at 375°F for 3-4 minutes to re-crisp the edges and bring that fresh-cooked texture back. They're just as good warm as they are cold, which is why they've become one of my favorite high-protein meal prep staples.
Top Tip
Blending the cottage cheese is the secret to meatballs that stay moist and tender even when reheated. And using homemade breadcrumbs adds a gentle tang and crisp texture that makes these feel homemade in the best way.
Behind the Recipe
Mini meatballs are practically a love language in our kitchen. They're the answer to "I'm starving" from my kids and "I need more protein" from me. I make my homemade breadcrumbs in big batches, so adding them here was a no-brainer - they help bind the chicken while keeping the texture light and tender.
This taco version started as an experiment after my friend Katie and I whipped up a high-protein taco dip with cottage cheese and Greek yogurt at a travel baseball tournament. It was a total hit - all the flavor, none of the guilt (thank you, protein!). So I used that same combo as inspiration here. The flavors were already kid-approved, but these meatballs ended up becoming one of my personal favorites too. They hit that perfect sweet spot between family-friendly and macro-friendly - which, honestly, feels like a small miracle on busy weeks.
High Protein Taco Meatballs: FAQs
Yes! Bake at 400°F for 12-14 minutes until golden and cooked through.
Technically yes, but it adds unnecessary oil and removes the "healthy high-protein" edge.
They should be golden brown with an internal temperature of 165°F.
Definitely. Store in the fridge or freezer, and reheat in minutes for high-protein snacking all week.
They're mild, bite-sized, and fun to eat - no forks required!
More High Protein Recipes
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📖 Recipe
Easy Air Fryer Chicken Taco Meatballs with Lime (High Protein Snack)
- Total Time: 16
- Yield: About 35 Mini Meatballs 1x
Description
Juicy, zesty air fryer chicken taco meatballs with lime - a high-protein snack that's quick, kid-friendly, and perfect for meal prep.
Ingredients
1 cup cottage cheese
3 tbsp taco seasoning
2 tbsp ranch seasoning
1 lime, juiced
2 eggs
2 tbsp hot sauce
2 lb ground chicken
¾ cup breadcrumbs
Get Recipe Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F; coat basket with avocado oil.
- Blend cottage cheese, taco seasoning, ranch, lime juice, eggs and hot sauce until smooth.
- Mix with chicken, breadcrumbs (I like my homemade breadcrumbs).
- Lightly oil bottom of air fryer with avocado oil.
- Scoop meatballs with a teaspoon or tablespoon ice cream scoop and air fry in a single layer for 7-10 minutes until cooked through. Shake the basket around the 5 minute mark to keep from sticking.
- Serve hot or enjoy straight from the fridge for meal prep.
Notes
Great hot or chilled; perfect for snacks, lunchboxes, and post-workout bites.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 6
- Category: Snack, Main
- Method: Air Fry
- Cuisine: Mexican Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6 Mini Meatballs
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 11g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
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