Meatball buns in the airfryer are a wonderful fusion of two well-known dishes, combining the best of Danish food culture: Danish meatballs and soft, fluffy wheat buns. This dish has both a homely feel and the potential to be a delicious snack for lunch. But it also makes a great lunchbox option for the kids and a treat for a children’s birthday party.
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Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
Table of Contents
- Why make meatball buns in the airfryer?
- What kind of dish is a meatball bun?
- I recommend this fresh and tasty orange soda with our homemade meatball buns
- What types of minced meat can you use in meatball buns?
- Suggestion for a healthier version
- Serving suggestion for a children's birthday party
- Conclusion on meatball buns in the airfryer
- FAQ
Why make meatball buns in the airfryer?
When it comes to meatball buns, using an airfryer ensures that they turn crispy on the outside while keeping their juiciness inside. At the same time, the airfryer reduces the need for oil, making it a healthier cooking method.
What kind of dish is a meatball bun?
A meatball bun is, in essence, meatballs baked into lovely, soft wheat buns. This creates a pleasant contrast between the juicy, seasoned meatball and the soft, mildly sweet wheat buns. Meatball buns can be served both warm and cold, which makes them an excellent lunchbox option for kids or an easy snack on the go. Traditionally, meatball buns are made with a simple wheat bun and a classic Danish meatball, but there are many ways to adapt this dish.
I recommend this fresh and tasty orange soda with our homemade meatball buns
When we talk about a real classic like meatball buns, you need something deliciously refreshing to wash them down with. I can warmly recommend Naturfrisk Appelsinbrus – an incredibly tasty and kid-friendly soda that, with its natural ingredients, is a sure hit for the whole family. Enjoy your meal and have fun.
What types of minced meat can you use in meatball buns?
The choice of minced meat in meatball buns can vary according to personal taste and nutritional preferences. The most common choices include:
- Minced pork: The traditional choice for meatballs in Denmark, giving a juicy and flavourful meatball.
- Mixed minced meat (pork and veal): This gives a finer flavour and a slightly lighter texture.
- Minced chicken or turkey: An excellent way to make the meatballs lighter – perfect for those looking for a healthier alternative.
- Plant-based mince: For vegetarians and vegans, there are many plant-based alternatives that imitate both the texture and the flavour of meat.
Suggestion for a healthier version
To make meatball buns healthier, you can consider using wholegrain buns or making the meatballs with vegetable-based ingredients. The wholegrain dough adds extra fibre and nutrients, making the buns more filling and improving their nutritional profile. Vegetable meatballs, which can be made from ingredients such as quinoa, black beans, mushrooms or grated vegetables, offer a flavourful and nutritious alternative to traditional meat meatballs.
Need a faster and easier version? Then you can use ready-made pizza dough as a wrapper for the meatballs. The pizza dough is already rolled out and ready to use, which saves time and effort kneading and letting the dough rise.
Tips and tricks from the author: Morten Jensen
Serving suggestion for a children’s birthday party
At a children’s birthday party, meatball buns can be a hit, especially if they are presented in a fun and kid-friendly way. For example, you can make mini meatball buns and serve them with a range of dips such as ketchup, mild salsa or a homemade yoghurt dressing. These little bites are easy for children to handle, and they can even help prepare them as part of the party activities.
Conclusion on meatball buns in the airfryer
Meatball buns in the airfryer offer a modern twist on a classic dish, making it possible to enjoy this traditional food in a healthier and more time-saving way. Perfect for your lunchbox or for a children’s birthday party. With the option to adapt the ingredients, this dish can easily be adjusted to any taste.
FAQ
Bake them at 180 °C for 15–20 minutes, until the buns are golden. Insert a meat thermometer into the centre of a bun – the meatball filling should reach at least 75 °C. If you don’t have a thermometer, cut a bun open and check that the meat is no longer pink.
Yes, meatball buns can be frozen for up to 3 months. Let them cool completely, then freeze them in a bag or an airtight container. You can reheat them straight from frozen in the airfryer at 160 °C until they are hot all the way through.
Yes, they are perfect for the lunchbox, as they taste great both lukewarm and cold. Bake them the day before and keep them covered in the fridge for up to 2–3 days. You can also pop a frozen bun into the lunchbox in the morning – it will have thawed by lunchtime.
Recipe
Meatball Buns in the Airfryer
Cooking Guide
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Cost of the dish
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Our estimate is based on average food prices for the current year 2026.
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Airfryer size
All our recipes are tested in a Philips Airfryer 2000 Series NA230/00 – 6.2 L
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Ingredients
For the meatballs:
- 250 g minced pork
- 1 pcs onion (finely chopped)
- 1 pcs egg
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp allspice
For the buns:
- 250 g wheat flour
- 150 ml lukewarm water
- 20 g yeast
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 25 ml oil
- 1 pcs egg (for brushing (or a little oil))
How to make it
Prepare the meatballs:
- Mix the 250 g minced pork, 1 pcs onion, 1 pcs egg, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper and 1/2 tsp allspice together well.
- Form 8 small meatballs and put them in the fridge while you make the dough and let it rise.
Prepare the buns:
- Dissolve the 20 g yeast in the 150 ml lukewarm water with 1 tsp sugar and let it stand for 5 minutes.
- Add the 250 g wheat flour, 1 tsp salt and 25 ml oil, and knead the dough thoroughly.
- Let the dough rise, covered, for about 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.
Assemble the buns:
- Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces.
- Roll out each piece and place a meatball in the centre.
- Fold the dough around the meatball and make sure it is completely sealed.
Baking:
- Preheat the airfryer to 180°C.
- Lightly brush the buns with oil or a beaten egg to give them a golden surface.
- Lift the buns on the baking paper into the preheated basket and bake at 180 °C for 15–20 min, until the meatball filling reaches at least 75 °C in the centre and the buns are golden and baked through.Start the online kitchen timer here
Our notes for the recipe
Your notes for the recipe
Nutrition per serving (Guideline)
Important about shelf life and nutrition
Nutrition per serving (guideline): Calculations are based on data from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Shelf life (guideline): Shelf life data is provided, as far as possible, by public institutions, including national food authorities. Our information is therefore only indicative, and it is your responsibility to obtain and calculate accurate information about shelf life and nutrition for all recipes on airfryerkogebogen.dk
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