How To Air Fry Frozen Meatballs

1 week ago 20



This website may contain affiliate links and advertising so that we can provide recipes to you. Read my disclosure policy.

Okay, hear me out, frozen meatballs in the air fryer are a total game-changer. They come out crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and taste like you made them from scratch (but without the effort). I use them ALL the time!

Air fryer frozen meatballs in the air fryer basket.

Why You’ll Never Cook Meatballs Any Other Way

  • No guessing, no stressing! Toss frozen meatballs in the air fryer, and they come out perfectly crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside.
  • Dinner in record time! Forget waiting on the oven. The air fryer gets them hot and golden in minutes, and cleanup is basically nothing.
  • So many uses! Sub sandwiches, pasta night, party appetizers. These meatballs are ready to use with whatever you’ve got going on.

How to Make Air Fryer Meatballs

You can quickly pop the meatballs straight from the freezer into the air fryer! They are perfect for an appetizer, an after-school snack, or on top of spaghetti for dinner. Here is my tried-and-true method for making the perfect meatball!

  1. Arrange: Place half the bag of frozen meatballs into the air fryer basket, then close and air-fry for 10 minutes at 400°F. (Cooking times may vary.)
  2. Cooking Meatballs: Shake the basket halfway through so the meatballs cook evenly. *Don’t skip this step! Cook the other half of the meatballs if desired. Enjoy as an appetizer or entree! Serve with your favorite sauce, BBQ, or marinara, or use them in any dish that requires meatballs.
Meatballs spaced out in the air fryer.
Cooked and read to enjoy!

Alyssa’s Pro tip

Don’t crowd: Cook the meatballs in a single layer, leaving a little space between them so they can crisp up on all sides. Continue to cook for an additional 1-2 minutes if you want an extra-crispy outside.

Pin this now to find it later

Pin It

  • 1 (26-ounce) bag frozen meatballs
  • Place half of 1 (26-ounce) bag frozen meatballs into the basket of the air fryer.

  • Close the basket and air fry the meatballs for 10 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

  • Shake the basket halfway through to evenly cook the meatballs.

  • Continue to cook for an additional 1-2 minutes if you want your meatballs extra crispy on the outside. Cook the other half of the meatballs if desired.

  • Enjoy as an appetizer or entree! Serve with bbq sauce, marinara sauce, on top of spaghetti, or in any recipe that requires meatballs.

Storing and Reheating

  • Storage: Keep leftover meatballs in an airtight container in the fridge for 3–5 days.
  • Reheating: Pop them back in the air fryer at 400°F for about 5 minutes.

Calories: 323kcalProtein: 21gFat: 26gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 88mgSodium: 69mgPotassium: 353mgVitamin A: 9IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 17mgIron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

A meatballs with a toothpick being dipped into BBQ sauce.

More Air Fryer Recipes

About Alyssa Rivers

Alyssa Rivers is the author of 'The Tried and True Cookbook', a professional food photographer and experienced recipe-developer. Having a passion for cooking, her tried and true recipes have been featured on Good Morning America, Today Food, Buzzfeed and more.

More Ideas

Read Entire Article