Learn how to cook Frozen Meatballs in the Air Fryer in a snap! Air fryer frozen meatballs are an easy way to get dinner on the table. Add them to spaghetti or a meatball sandwich, or toss them in sauce for a quick and easy appetizer! Ready in 10 minutes or less in just two steps.
Jump to:
- Air Fryer Frozen Meatballs
- Watch the Video
- Ingredients
- How to Cook Frozen Meatballs in the Air Fryer
- Tips
- How Long to Cook Frozen Meatballs in the Air Fryer
- Meatball Dipping Sauce Ideas
- How to Store Leftover Meatballs
- Reheating Meatballs in the Air Fryer
- FAQ
- Serving Suggestions
- Easy Air Fryer Recipes
- How to Cook Frozen Meatballs in the Air Fryer
- Feedback
Air Fryer Frozen Meatballs
As good as homemade meatballs can be (we love our air fryer turkey meatballs), the truth is, we don't always have the time to heat up the oven and put them together. Busy weeknights can make even the most simple meals seem totally impossible. Not to mention the clean-up after the fact!
Air fryer frozen meatballs are the perfect solution when you're too busy to season and roll your own meatballs by hand, then wait for them to cook, then clean up after... (it even sounds exhausting, doesn't it?)
They're quick and easy, coming together in 10 minutes or less with simple instructions. And, if you do have the time to make meatballs ahead of time, you can freeze extra and use this air fryer meatballs recipe to heat them up later!
Watch the Video
Ingredients
- Frozen meatballs: You can use any variety of meatballs for this air fryer recipe. Any protein works. This includes vegan frozen meatballs, frozen turkey meatballs, chicken meatballs, or simply your favorite beef meatballs. Different brands of meatballs all work using the same temp and time.
- Olive oil spray: Do not use aerosol sprays with additives (it can damage your air fryer!). Only use oil from a sprayer bottle. If you don't have one, you can lightly brush the meatballs with oil instead. See our comprehensive guide on Air Fryer Oils for more information.
How to Cook Frozen Meatballs in the Air Fryer
Step 1 - Spray air fryer basket with oil spray. NOTE: Avoid using aerosol sprays as they could damage your air fryer. Only use oil from a sprayer bottle.
Step 2 - Add meatballs to air fryer tray or basket in a single layer. Avoid overcrowding. Cook in batches if necessary.
Step 3 - Coat meatballs with olive oil spray.
Step 4 - Cook meatballs in air fryer for 8-10 minutes at 400℉. Shake the basket halfway through the cook time. If your air fryer has a tray rather than a basket, carefully flip the meatballs halfway through using tongs.
Tips
- Recipe time and temperature is based on a cold air fryer (no need to preheat). If cooking meatballs in multiple batches, be sure to check on the remaining batches early, as they will cook more quickly.
- Make sure to shake the air fryer basket halfway through the cook time. If you have an air fryer with a tray and no basket, carefully flip the meatballs using tongs. Set a timer to remind you if necessary.
- Don't skip coating the meatballs with a little oil - this is what helps them get a golden brown crisp on the outside and avoid drying out on the inside!
- Start by air frying a small batch of meatballs to see what time works best for your air fryer model.
- If you're using homemade frozen meatballs and aren't certain about cook time, use an instant read thermometer to check the internal temperature. See below for the proper internal temperature for each type of meatball.
How Long to Cook Frozen Meatballs in the Air Fryer
| Meatball protein | Air frying time and temp | Internal temperature |
|---|---|---|
| Beef meatballs | 8-10 minutes at 400℉ | 160℉ |
| Turkey meatballs | 8-12 minutes at 400℉ | 165℉ |
| Chicken meatballs | 8-10 minutes at 400℉ | 165℉ |
| Plant-based meatballs | 8-10 minutes at 400℉ | 165℉ (may depend on brand) |
Meatball Dipping Sauce Ideas
Garnish meatballs with chopped fresh herbs and serve with your favorite dipping sauce for a perfectly easy party appetizer or casual air fryer dinner!
- Marinara Sauce: A classic choice that pairs perfectly with meatballs, marinara sauce adds a savory tomato flavor.
- BBQ Sauce: One of our faves! Sweet, tangy, and smoky BBQ sauce complements the meatiness of the meatballs. Choose your favorite flavor profile, whether it's traditional, spicy, or honey barbecue sauce.
- Sweet and Sour Sauce: A combination of tangy vinegar, sweet sugar, and fruity flavors, sweet and sour sauce adds a unique twist to your meatballs.
- Teriyaki Sauce: Teriyaki sauce lends a savory-sweet Asian-inspired flavor to your meatballs, creating a delicious fusion dish.
- Garlic Aioli: Creamy garlic aioli adds a rich and garlicky flavor that complements the savory taste of the meatballs.
- Pesto Sauce: Fresh and herbaceous, pesto sauce made with basil, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil adds a vibrant and aromatic flavor to your meatballs. Visit our sister site, Life Tastes Good, to get the recipe for our easy pesto sauce.
How to Store Leftover Meatballs
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Reheating Meatballs in the Air Fryer
Reheat in the air fryer at 250℉ for 5 minutes. Larger meatballs may take longer to reheat.
FAQ
The amount of time you air fry meatballs depends on their size. If you're air frying small meatballs, start with 8 minutes. If they're larger, start with 10 minutes. Very large meatballs may take up to 12 minutes to cook.
You can cook both meat and plant-based meatballs from frozen in an air fryer. This includes impossible meatballs. The cook time will be the same whether you are using meat or plant-based meatballs.
You do not need to thaw frozen meatballs before cooking them in the air fryer. Simply pop them right in the basket out of the freezer, follow our instructions to prep, and cook!
Serving Suggestions
- Serve frozen air fryer meatballs with your favorite sauce as suggested above! They are delicious in an Italian marinara sauce, teriyaki sauce, your favorite BBQ sauce, or rolled in garlic sauce with Parmesan cheese.
- Air fryer frozen meatballs work in all your usual favorites: try them over pasta with tomato sauce, as Swedish meatballs, over rice, as a snack, or as an appetizer for a party.
Easy Air Fryer Recipes
- Crispy Air Fryer Frozen French Fries
- Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers from frozen
- Air Fryer French Bread Pizza
- Air Fryer Egg Rolls from Frozen
- Try all of our Air Fryer Frozen Foods!
If you enjoyed this easy air fryer recipe, please leave a comment and a rating below to let us know! And if you have any questions, ask away. We love to help!
How to Cook Frozen Meatballs in the Air Fryer
Equipment
- Air Fryer basket or tray model
Ingredients
- 1 pound Frozen meatballs (16 oz.)
- Olive oil spray We used olive oil
- Your choice of sauce, optional We used BBQ sauce
Instructions
- Spray air fryer basket with oil (see notes)
- Add meatballs to air fryer tray or basket, spaced evenly in a single layer so no meatballs are touching. Cook in batches if necessary.1 pound Frozen meatballs
- Coat meatballs with olive oil spray.Olive oil spray
- Cook meatballs in air fryer for 8-10 minutes at 400℉. Shake the basket halfway through the cook time. If your air fryer has a tray rather than a basket, carefully flip the meatballs halfway through using tongs.
- Serve with sauce if desired!Your choice of sauce, optional
Notes
- Recipe time and temperature is based on a cold air fryer. If cooking multiple batches, be sure to check on the remaining batches early.
- Make sure to shake the air fryer basket halfway through the cook time. If you have an air fryer with a tray and no basket, carefully flip the meatballs using tongs. Set a timer to remind you if necessary.
- Do not use aerosol sprays with additives (it can damage your air fryer!). Only use olive oil from a sprayer bottle. If you don't have one, you can lightly brush the meatballs with olive oil instead.
- Alternatively, be sure only to spray oil directly on the meatballs and not on the basket.
- Don't skip coating the meatballs with a little oil.
- Start by air frying a small batch of meatballs to see what time works best for your air fryer model.
- You can use any variety of meatballs for this air fryer recipe. See post for temps and times.
- If you're using homemade frozen meatballs and aren't certain about cook time, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature.
- Nutrition varies by brand. Please check the nutrition of your frozen meatballs for an accurate reading.
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