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air fryer kibbeh on a baking sheet
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4.94 from 62 votes

Kibbeh Balls

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 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Diet: Low Lactose
Keyword: air fryer kibbeh, baked kibbeh, kibbeh balls, lebanese kibbeh balls
Servings: 20
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

Serving: 2oz | Calories: 198kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 45mg | Sodium: 123mg | Potassium: 160mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 236IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 19mg | Iron: 1mg