Keftedes (Greek Meatballs)

These little meatballs are moist, delicious, and packed with flavor. They can be served as the main dish, but they also make elegant hors d’oeuvres or appetizers.

Yield: 26 meatballs

Serving size: 4 meatballs

Ingredients:

• 2 lb ground beef
• 2 large eggs
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 tsp. onion powder
• 3/4 tsp. garlic powder
• 1 tbsp. dried dill
• 1 tsp. dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp. ground cumin
• 1 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
• 3/4 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. black pepper

Directions:

1. Place all the ingredients into a large mixing bowl.
2. Using your hands, knead and mix the meat & egg mixture until everything is well combined and evenly distributed through out. If you’re squeamish you can use a fork, but I find using my hands to be the most effective way to combine everything.
3. Using your hands, or an ice cream scoop, form the meat mixture into 26 evenly sized meatballs.

These meatballs can be cooked in the oven or in an air fryer. I like to cook meatballs in an air fryer, because they come out nicely browned on the outside and juicy on the inside, with much less muss and fuss. Since I know not everyone owns an air fryer, I have provided cooking directions for both methods below. Both methods will make delicious meatballs.

To make meatballs in an air fryer:

1. Preheat the air fryer.
2. Space the meatballs about 1/2″ apart in the basket of the air fryer. This will allow for even cooking.
3. Cook at 400° F for 6 minutes. Using a pair of tongs, gently turn over the meatballs, and cook again at 400° F for another 6 minutes.
4. You will probably have to cook the meatballs in batches. Remember to drain the oil from the basket between batches.
5. Serve immediately.

To make meatballs in the oven:

1. Preheat the oven to 350° F
2. Line a baking sheet with foil.
3. Heat 2 or more tablespoons of oil, lard, bacon grease, or ghee in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
4. Once the oil is hot, carefully place the meatballs into the pan. Turn them in the hot oil until they are browned on each side.
5. As they are browned, place them on a plate that is layered with paper toweling to drain.
6. When all the meatballs are nicely browned, place them on the prepared baking sheet.
7. Place the baking sheet into the center of the preheated oven, and bake the meatballs until they are fully cooked. They should register at least 160° F on a meat thermometer.
8. Serve immediately.