Easy Turkey Apple Meatballs

These turkey apple meatballs are the perfect blend of sweet and savory. Made with simple, wholesome ingredients like ground turkey, shredded apple, and breadcrumbs or almond flour, they’re soft, flavorful, and perfect for toddlers and grown-ups alike. Serve them as a main dish, pop into lunchboxes, or freeze for later—easy to prep and totally kid-friendly!

I love making meatballs for meal prep—they’re easy to batch, freezer-friendly, and super versatile for toddler meals or busy weeknight dinners! Add them into nourish bowls, pasta dishes, or smashed into quesadillas.

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Ingredients
Instructions
Substitutions
Variations
Equipment
Storage
Tiff’s Tip
FAQ
Related
Pairing
Recipe
💬 Comments

Ingredients

These ingredients were chosen to keep the meatballs simple, nourishing, and naturally flavorful! Ground turkey offers lean protein, while the shredded apple adds natural sweetness and moisture—perfect for tender, toddler-friendly texture! Breadcrumbs or almond flour help bind everything together, and the egg adds structure. A touch of seasoning gives flavor without overpowering, making these a great option for the whole family!

ground turkey
apple, shredded
almond flour or breadcrumbs
egg
seasonings of choice: garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and dried thyme

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

Step 1: Set to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, shredded apple, breadcrumbs or almond flour, egg, and seasonings. Mix until just combined—don’t overwork.

Step 2: Roll into 1½-inch meatballs (you’ll get around 16–18) and place on the baking sheet.

Step 3: Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until the centers are cooked through and lightly golden.

Step 4: Let cool slightly and serve warm with your toddler’s favorite dip or side!

Hint: Be sure to squeeze out excess liquid from the apple if it’s too juicy to avoid soggy texture!

Substitutions

Feel free to exchange whatever you need to! These are naturally gluten-free and dairy-free by using almond flour.

almond flour → use breadcrumbs, oat flour, or crushed crackers or cornflakes
egg → sub with flax egg or mashed sweet potato
apple → try with shredded pear or grated carrot
turkey → sub with chicken or lean beef

Variations

sweet & savory – add a dash of cinnamon or nutmeg for warmth
mini muffin meatballs – bake in a mini muffin tin for perfect toddler portions
saucy twist – serve with honey mustard glaze, BBQ, or a yogurt-herb dip

Equipment

You’ll need a grater, mixing bowl, measuring utensils, and a baking sheet + parchment paper.

Storage

Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days

Freezer: Freeze cooked meatballs in a single layer, then transfer to a bag or container for up to 3 months

Reheat: Warm in the microwave, oven, or air fryer until heated through

Tiff’s Tip

Serve these meatballs with a side of broccoli (or other veggie), sweet potato cubes, and a favorite dip—and call them “apple nuggets” to make them extra fun for the littles!

FAQ

Can I make these egg-free?

Yes! Use a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flax + 2.5 tablespoon water) or omit and add 1–2 tablespoon mashed sweet potato or yogurt to help bind.

Can I use chicken instead of turkey?

Absolutely! Ground chicken works great in place of turkey. Honestly can sub out any ground meat!

Can I add a veggie?

Yes! Add finely grated carrot or zucchini (squeezed dry) for an extra veggie boost.

Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

Pairing

These are my favorite dishes to serve with [this recipe]:

Avocado Lime Ranch Dip

Recipe