Kibbeh Balls

4.94 from 62 votes

Kibbeh balls are a Middle Eastern staple dish made of ground meat, spices, onions, and grains. This easy kibbeh recipe contains a mixture of lamb, onions, fresh mint, and bulgur. Shape it into balls and bake or air fryer with butter to create delicious Syrian-style kibbeh!

Prep Time10

Cook Time20

Total Time30

Course: Appetizer, Main Course

Cuisine: Middle Eastern

Diet: Low Lactose

Keyword: air fryer kibbeh, baked kibbeh, kibbeh balls, lebanese kibbeh balls

Servings:

Calories: 198kcal

Author: Kristina Tipps

Cost: 15

Equipment

air fryer optional
stainless steel skewer or knife sharpening rod

Ingredients

2 lbs ground lamb
1 cup bulgur #1 fine
2 medium onions chopped finely
1 cup fresh mint chopped finely
½ teaspoon salt
8 tablespoon butter divided

Instructions

Combine the ground lamb, wheat bulgur, chopped onions, chopped mint, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Knead until thoroughly mixed.
Form meat mixture into football shaped balls about 3 inches long. Spear a hole longways through the middle of each kibbeh with the metal skewer or rod. Place ½ inch apart on a greased baking sheet or air fryer basket with 1 teaspoon of butter on top of each kibbeh ball. *The kibbeh is not cooked on the skewer- the rod is only used to make a hole through the meat mixture. See notes below.
Bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes or air fry at 370°F for 12-15 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 160°F. Serve plain or with a side of hummus or yogurt sauce for dipping.

Notes

Cook's Tip: Skewering the kibbeh balls helps them cook evenly. You can use any sharp kitchen tool to do this. Barbecue skewers and a knife sharpening rod both work great. You can also skip this step if you don't have a tool to skewer them. The outcome won't be significantly different.

Storing: Keep kibbeh in the fridge for up to 1 week. Kibbeh is freezer-friendly and will keep for up to 6 months. Reheat in the oven, air fryer or microwave until warmed through.

Nutrition