• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Bake Play Smile
MENUMENU
  • Home
  • Shop
  • About Me
    • Meet Lucy
    • Work With Me
  • Contact me
  • Recipes
  • Main Dishes
  • Savoury Breads & Muffins
  • Salads & Sides
  • Soups
  • Bars Brownies & Slices
  • Cakes & Cupcakes
  • Christmas
  • Cookies
  • Desserts
  • Easter
  • Drinks
  • Healthy Treats
  • Sweet Breads & Muffins
  • Thermomix Recipes
  • Thermomix Cookies
  • Thermomix Bars Brownies & Slices
  • Thermomix Cakes & Cupcakes
  • Thermomix Chistmas Recipes
  • Healthy Thermomix Recipes
  • Thermomix Desserts
  • Thermomix Breads & Muffins
  • Thermomix Easter Recipes
  • Thermomix Lunch Box Recipes
  • Thermomix Main Meals
  • Thermomix Sides & Salads
  • Thermomix Soups
  • Recipes for Toddlers & Kids
  • Family Dinners
  • Healthy Snacks
  • Kids Parties
  • Freebies
  • Lunch Box Ideas
  • Sweet Treats
  • Extras
  • Baking 101 - Tips & Tricks
  • Blogger Resources
  • Recipe Videos
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Thermomix Recipes
  • Shop
  • About
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Main Dishes » Healthy Turkey Meatballs

    Healthy Turkey Meatballs

    Published: Apr 1, 2022 by Lucy · This post may contain affiliate links · 11 Comments

    Jump to Recipe
    a white bowl filled with golden baked turkey meatballs sprinkled with sesame seeds.

    Healthy Turkey Meatballs are flavourful, veggie-packed bites, oven-baked to perfection. Freezer-friendly, low carb and healthy too!

    Serve them on their own as an appetiser or party food snack, or as part of a meal with vegetables or salad. Don't forget to add your favourite dipping sauce on the side...

    A close up of sesame seeds sprinkled over baked meatballs in a white bowl

    There's just something about finger-food that makes it an easy favourite with kids. And when it's also something that you can dip into a sauce, you definitely have a winner!

    These simple turkey meatballs are ideal for lunchboxes. These, along with loads of other freezer-friendly lunch box recipes, like Chicken Sausage Rolls and Healthy Zucchini Fritters, can go straight from the freezer into lunchboxes and they'll thaw and be ready to eat at lunch time. And who doesn't want to make lunchbox prep on school mornings that little bit easier!

    While these might be great lunchbox snacks, they also make delicious party appetisers or a light family dinner.

    Healthy turkey and vegetable meatballs in a white serving bowl.

    Why You're Going To Love This Recipe

    This 10 minute healthy turkey meatballs recipe is sure to become a family favourite in no time!

    • Simple - this turkey meatballs recipe needs a handful of budget friendly ingredients, and they are super simple to make.
    • Healthy - baking the turkey meatballs in the oven reduces the amount of oil you may otherwise need to use, and keeps them moist, tender and better for you!
    • Freezer-friendly - you don't have to worry about leftovers going to waste, as these meatballs freeze and defrost well. You can pack them into lunchboxes straight from the freezer and they're just as tasty served cold or hot!
    • Versatile - perfect as finger-food, these healthy turkey meatballs with zucchini and carrot are easy to make into a main meal. Serve them with a fresh salad, or with quinoa and vegetable fritters, or substitute them into your favourite meatball and spaghetti recipe!
    • Conventional and Thermomix recipes - you can choose either the Conventional or Thermomix method for making the healthy turkey meatballs, I have included both for your convenience.
    A meatball on the end of a golden fork, being lifted out of a white serving dish

    What You Need

    Baked Turkey Meatballs are great for toddlers and kids as a healthy snack or as part of a meal. Adding these low calorie turkey meatballs to a grazing board gives adult guests a delicious homemade option to choose from.

    Note: Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom for the ingredients quantities and full detailed method

    Ingredients for oven baked turkey meatballs
    • Carrot - are a vegetable that is always available, and are therefore a budget friendly ingredient that adds flavour, texture and a veggie boost to the meatball.
    • Zucchini - Countries such as the UK and NZ know these as courgettes. They are a popular squash and are in season in summer and autumn here in Australia.
    • Onion - a medium sized brown or yellow onion, finely diced.
    • Turkey mince - is lower in saturated fat than other minced meats, but these healthy meatballs have much the same protein and iron content as beef mince does.
    • Breadcrumbs - use regular or homemade breadcrumbs made from slightly stale bread. This acts as a binder for the meatballs.
    • Egg - when using eggs in a recipe, it is best to have them at room temperature before you start.
    • Salt and Pepper - to season.
    • Olive oil cooking spray - using an Olive Oil Cooking Spray allows you to add a very fine layer of oil on the meatballs, to give them a browned, slightly crusty finish without burning.
    • Sesame seeds - these small white seeds have a mild, nutty flavour and add a slight crunch to the meatballs.
    A close-up of the texture and colour of a browned meatball on the end of a fork.

    Step By Step Instructions

    No more than around 10 minutes to prepare these simple turkey meatballs and then they're ready for the oven!

    Note: Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom for the ingredients quantities and full detailed method

    Step 1 - Prepare The Ingredients

    Grate the vegetables and strain any excess liquid from them.

    Finely grated carrot and zucchini in a wire strainer over a glass bowl

    Add the grated vegetables, diced onion, turkey mince, breadcrumbs, egg and seasoning into a large mixing bowl.

    Turkey mince meat, breadcrumbs, onion and grated vegetables in a glass mixing bowl.

    Step 2 - Combine The Mixture

    Mix all the meatball ingredients together well.

    A clear glass bowl on a marble counter with a minced mixture in it.

    Step 3 - Roll And Bake The Meatballs

    Roll the mixture into tablespoon-sized balls, and place onto a baking paper lined oven tray.

    Fifteen meatballs spaced on baking paper on a tray

    Spray meatballs with olive oil cooking spray and sprinkle with sesame seeds.

    Raw meatballs sprinkled with sesame seeds and arranged on a baking paper covered tray

    Bake for 20 minutes in a preheated oven or until cooked through.

    Healthy turkey and vegetable meatballs in a white serving dish

    Expert Tips and FAQs

    What temperature do I use for a conventional oven?

    I specify fan-forced oven temperatures in my recipes, so if you have a conventional oven, increase the temperature by between 10 and 20 degrees Celsius.

    If I use a non-stick baking tray, do I still have to line it with baking paper?

    I strongly recommend lining all trays with baking paper, as this makes cleaning up easier, and reduces the risk of food sticking.

    Do the vegetables need to be peeled?

    Apart from the onion, the current advice about needing to peel vegetables before cooking them is that as long as you wash them thoroughly, you don't need to. The skin often contains essential nutrients and fibre and can also contribute extra flavour!

    Can the vegetables be hidden more?

    Finely grating the vegetables will make them less visible in the meatballs, as will peeling the zucchini!

    Can I substitute turkey mince?

    Yes, this recipe will work with chicken, pork or beef mince as well, however the nutritional information below the recipe will differ.

    How long will cooked meatballs last in the fridge?

    Store meatballs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

    How long can these healthy Turkey Meatballs be frozen for?

    Leftover meatballs can be frozen, in an airtight container in the freezer, for up to 3 months.

    Related Recipes

    Who can resist a batch of bite-sized, flavour-packed meatballs!?

    These simple appetisers are so versatile and make the perfect party food, light dinner or lunch box snack...

    • Oven Baked Thai Chicken Meatballs
    • Healthy Turkey Meatballs
    • Oven Baked Chicken Parma Balls

    WANT EVEN MORE DELICIOUS RECIPES? Subscribe to my newsletter or follow along on Facebook or Instagram. And if you love baking, then please come and join my Facebook cooking club group or subscribe to my YouTube channel

    A batch of healthy turkey meatballs in a white serving dish.

    Healthy Turkey Meatballs

    Healthy Turkey Meatballs are flavourful, veggie-packed bites, oven-baked to perfection. Freezer-friendly, low carb and healthy too!
    5 from 7 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Appetizer, Dinner
    Cuisine: western
    Diet: Low Calorie, Low Fat
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes
    Total Time: 30 minutes
    Servings: 30 serves
    Calories: 54kcal
    Author: Lucy - Bake Play Smile

    Ingredients

    • 120 g carrot grated (approx 1 large)
    • 200 g zucchini grated (approx 1 large)
    • 1 medium brown onion finely diced
    • 500 g turkey mince
    • 70 g breadcrumbs (¾ cup)
    • 1 egg
    • salt and pepper to season
    • olive oil cooking spray
    • sesame seeds to sprinkle

    Instructions

    Conventional Method

    • Preheat oven to 200 degrees celsius (fan-forced).
    • Line two baking trays with baking paper and set aside.
    • Place the grated carrot and zucchini into a sieve and strain out any excess liquid.
    • Place the strained vegetables into a large mixing bowl.
    • Add the finely chopped onion, turkey mince, breadcrumbs and egg. Season with salt and pepper. Mix well to combine.
    • Roll the mixture into tablespoon-sized balls and place onto the prepared trays.
    • Spray with olive oil cooking spray and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
    • Bake for 20 minutes or until cooked through.

    Thermomix Method

    • Preheat oven to 200 degrees celsius (fan-forced).
    • Line two baking trays with baking paper and set aside.
    • Place the carrot, zucchini and onion into the Thermomix bowl and chop for 10 seconds, Speed 5. Place grated vegetables into a strainer and remove all excess liquid before placing back into the Thermomix bowl.
    • Add the turkey mince, breadcrumbs and egg. Season with salt and pepper. Mix for 20 seconds, REVERSE, Speed 3-4 or until well combined. 
    • Roll the mixture into tablespoon-sized balls and place onto the prepared trays.
    • Spray with olive oil cooking spray and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
    • Bake for 20 minutes or until cooked through.

    Notes

    Recipe Notes and Tips
    • Oven temperatures - I specify fan-forced oven temperatures in my recipes, so if you have a conventional oven, increase the temperature by between 10 and 20 degrees Celsius.
    • Baking trays - I strongly recommend lining all trays, including non-stick trays, with baking paper, as this makes cleaning up easier, and reduces the risk of food sticking.
    • Peeling vegetables - apart from the onion, the current advice about needing to peel vegetables before cooking them is that as long as you wash them thoroughly, you don't need to. The skin often contains essential nutrients and fibre and can also contribute extra flavour!
    • Veggie smuggling - finely grating the vegetables will make them less visible in the meatballs, as will peeling the zucchini!
    • Substituting the mince -  yes, this recipe will work with chicken mince as well, however the nutritional information below the recipe will not be relevant.
    • Storing - store meatballs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
    • Freezing - leftover meatballs can be frozen, in an airtight container in the freezer, for up to 3 months. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 54kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 18mg | Sodium: 60mg | Potassium: 81mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 700IU | Vitamin C: 1.6mg | Calcium: 18mg | Iron: 0.5mg
    Did you try this recipe?Mention @BakePlaySmileBlog or tag #BakePlaySmile!
    « Chewy White Chocolate Chip Cookies from Scratch
    Soft & Chewy Chocolate Chip Oat Cookies »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Fiona

      September 05, 2022 at 6:27 pm

      these are a massive hit... for both small and big members of my family. so much so my eldest ate 12 in one go...

      would love some more recipes and guidelines from you about dinners and lunchbox ideas

      Reply
      • Lucy

        September 06, 2022 at 7:35 am

        That's fantastic!

        Reply
    2. Dan

      January 23, 2020 at 6:40 pm

      Could I make and roll them a day ahead the. store them in fridge to bake the next day do you think?

      Reply
      • Lucy

        January 24, 2020 at 7:58 am

        Absolutely!!!

        Reply
    3. Lou

      November 21, 2018 at 12:03 pm

      5 stars
      So easy..my little 3yo helps make these... makes at least 30...great recipe! We love your website...has become a firm fave in our kitchen 🙂

      Reply
      • Lucy Mathieson

        November 21, 2018 at 3:48 pm

        Oh thank you so much!!!!!! xxx

        Reply
    4. Annabel

      March 02, 2018 at 3:05 pm

      Do you pre-cook the turkey before adding it to the mixture? Thank you!

      Reply
      • Lucy Mathieson

        March 03, 2018 at 5:47 am

        Hi Annabel, no you just cook them at the end. xx

        Reply
    5. Hannah

      February 01, 2018 at 1:35 pm

      Just wondering if there is anything you recommend to use as an egg substitute?

      Reply
      • Lucy Mathieson

        February 02, 2018 at 6:48 am

        Hi Hannah, I'm sorry but I haven't made these without egg before. xx

        Reply
      • Hayley Coath

        January 02, 2019 at 11:21 pm

        Any luck finding an egg replacement?

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    I’m Lucy! A mum, a wife, a food blogger and a lover of all things to do with food! I love creating delicious, no-fuss Thermomix and conventional recipes the whole family will love. Classic baking favourites, lunch box snacks, quick and easy family dinners and more!

    More about me →

    Popular Kids Recipes

    • Milo Balls | 4 Ingredient Recipe
    • The Famous 100 Cookie Recipe | Condensed Milk Cookies
    • Easy Banana Muffins
    • Easy Jelly Slice
    • The BEST Chocolate Chip Cookies
    • Chocolate Hedgehog Slice | No-Bake

    BBQ Favourites

    • Chicken Rissoles
    • Spinach Cob Loaf
    • Cream Cheese Dip
    • Beef Rissoles
    Names of brands that Bake Play Smile has had recipes featured in.

    Summer Salads

    • Creamy Broccoli Salad With Bacon
    • Chang's Crispy Noodle Salad
    • Cypriot Grain Salad | Chef Recipe
    • Creamy Bacon, Egg & Potato Salad

    Thermomix Cookbooks

    Browse our range of Thermomix cookbooks.

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Work With Me
    • Accessibility
    • Terms Of Use

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Shop the store

    Copyright © 2021 Bake Play Smile

     
    Manage Cookie Consent
    To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
    Functional Always active
    The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
    Preferences
    The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
    Statistics
    The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
    Marketing
    The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
    Manage options Manage services Manage vendors Read more about these purposes
    View preferences
    {title} {title} {title}