This easy Chilli Con Carne Meatballs recipe by Jamie Oliver is a quick and flavorful meal made in the air fryer. Juicy beef meatballs, smoky sweet potatoes, and creamy spiced black beans come together for a hearty dish. I tried this on a weeknight and was amazed at how satisfying and hands-off it was! (inspired by Jamie Oliver)

Ingredients Needed

1 sweet potato (250g / 9oz)
2 tsp smoked paprika
1 tbsp olive oil
1 x 400g (14oz) tin black beans, juice included
2 tsp cumin seeds
1 fresh red chilli (optional, deseed if preferred)
1/2 bunch (15g / 1/2oz) coriander, leaves and stalks separated
250g (9oz) higher-welfare beef mince
1 lime, zest and juice
200g (7oz) cherry tomatoes
Chipotle chilli sauce, to taste
Sea salt and black pepper

How To Make Jamie Oliver Chilli Con Carne Meatballs

Prep the Sweet Potato: Chop into 2cm chunks. Toss with paprika, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
Start Cooking: Add black beans with juice, 1 tsp cumin, and seasoning to the bottom of the air fryer drawer. Replace shelf and spread sweet potato on top. Cook at 180°C for 15 minutes.
Make Meatballs: Chop chilli and coriander (reserve some leaves). Combine with mince, 1 tsp cumin, lime zest, salt, and pepper. Mix gently and form 10 balls.
Add Meatballs & Tomatoes: After 15 minutes, add meatballs and tomatoes in an even layer. Cook at 180°C for 10 minutes, shaking halfway.
Finish the Beans: Remove all ingredients. Carefully take out the shelf. Squeeze in lime juice, add chipotle sauce, and mash half the beans.
Assemble: Spoon beans onto plates. Top with meatballs, sweet potato, and tomatoes. Garnish with coriander leaves and serve with lime wedges and extra chilli sauce.

Why I Love This Recipe

It’s one-pan cooking with bold, warming flavors and minimal cleanup. The sweet potato adds a great balance to the smoky spice, and the black beans turn super creamy. A total win!

Recipe Tips

Evenly cut sweet potato so it cooks uniformly.
Mash some beans for extra creaminess.
Don’t overmix the meatballs to keep them tender.
Shake the basket halfway for even browning.

How To Store This Jamie Oliver Chilli Con Carne Meatballs

At Room Temperature: Serve immediately and don’t leave out more than 1 hour.
In the Fridge: Cool and store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
In the Freezer: Freeze cooked and cooled portions for up to 2 months.
Reheating: Reheat in air fryer at 180°C for 5 minutes, shaking halfway through.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can I make this vegetarian? Yes! Swap beef for lentils or a meat-free mince.
Do I need an air fryer? Nope. Use an oven at 200°C—25–30 minutes total, checking halfway.
Can I use kidney beans instead? Absolutely. They work just as well.
How spicy is this? Moderate—control heat with less chilli or sauce.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 serving

Calories: 462
Total Fat: 14.6g
Saturated Fat: 3.9g
Total Carbohydrate: 39g
Dietary Fiber: 18g
Sugars: 10.1g
Protein: 39.7g

Try More Jamie Oliver Recipes:

Jamie Oliver Chilli Con Carne Meatballs

Course: Air Fryer Recipes, Dinner

Servings

servings

Prep time

minutes

Cooking time

minutes

Calories

462

kcal

Smoky sweet potatoes, spiced black beans, and juicy beef meatballs come together in this quick, comforting dish—full of bold chilli flavor and easy to customize in the air fryer.

Ingredients

Sweet potato, paprika, oil
Black beans, cumin
Chilli, coriander, beef mince
Lime, tomatoes
Chipotle sauce

Directions

Prep and season sweet potato.
Start beans and sweet potato in air fryer.
Mix and roll meatballs.
Add meatballs and tomatoes, cook.
Finish and mash beans.
Serve topped with coriander and lime.