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
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
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.
Absolutely! Ground chicken works great in place of turkey. Honestly can sub out any ground meat!
Yes! Add finely grated carrot or zucchini (squeezed dry) for an extra veggie boost.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with [this recipe]:
Easy Turkey Apple Meatballs
Equipment
- grater
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 apple peeled and shredded (about ½–¾ cup)
- ⅓ cup breadcrumbs or almond flour
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt more to taste or omit
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme or sage optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven – Set to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix ingredients – In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, shredded apple, breadcrumbs or almond flour, egg, and seasonings. Mix until just combined—don’t overwork.
- Form meatballs – Roll into 1½-inch meatballs (you’ll get around 16–18) and place on the baking sheet.
- Bake – Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until the centers are cooked through and lightly golden.
- Cool & serve – Let cool slightly and serve warm with your toddler’s favorite dip or side!
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