Frozen Meatballs in Air Fryer

Frozen Meatballs cooked in an air fryer –  taste like you spent hours in the kitchen making them, but in reality, they’re really simple to prepare. On the outside, they are crispy and flavorful, while on the inside, they are savory, juicy, and tender. They’re wonderful! Air-fried meatballs make a great appetizer or a hearty dinner when served over pasta.

If you love meatballs, this air fryer pre-cooked frozen meatball recipe is sure to please. They’re effortless to make and taste fantastic! They can be customized with a wide variety of seasonings and served with your favorite dipping sauce, making them extremely flexible. 

Frozen meatballs are perfect on those nights that you forget to pull something from the freezer or even when you’re having a large get-together. They’re relatively inexpensive, require no prep work, and go from frozen to brown and juicy in under 30 minutes! So, what do you have to lose? Give it a shot today!

Why You’ll Love These Frozen Meatballs In The Air Fryer

• A real crowd-pleaser! Everyone will love the air fryer meatballs
• Clean up is a breeze with “one basket” recipes
• Quick and easy! Ready to enjoy in 15 minutes.
• Great served as an appetizer or incorporated into a meal.

What You Need To Make Air Fryer Meatballs

• Frozen meatballs

Equipment Needed

• Air fryer
• Tongs to remove cooked meatballs
• Serving dish

How to Make Pre-Cooked Meatballs In The Air Fryer

Storage 

Leftover frozen air fryer meatballs will last up to 4 days if stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. To reheat leftover meatballs, follow the same procedure outlined above but decrease the cooking time to 6 to 8 minutes or until heated through at 350°F. I do not recommend refreezing meatballs after they have been cooked.

Tips For Making Frozen Air Fryer Meatballs

• Different brands of meatballs come in different sizes. Cooking times will vary depending on the size of the meatballs you are cooking
• Cook meatballs in a single layer on the air fryer basket. Overfilling the air basket will result in unevenly cooked meatballs.
• Spray the meatballs with oil before cooking for a crispier texture. The oil will aid in the browning and crisping of the crust.

What To Serve/Pair With Air Fryer Meatballs

Besides the traditional spaghetti, try adding your air fryer meatballs atop this Spaghetti Squash With Tomato Basil Meat Sauce or Zucchini Noodles With Pesto.

For a sweet dessert that the whole family will love, try this yummy Easy No-Bake Chocolate Eclair Cake.

Air Fryer Frozen Meatball FAQs

Do I need to thaw frozen meatballs before cooking?

No. Meatballs do not need to be thawed out before cooking. Thawing before cooking will result in unevenly cooked meatballs.

How will I know when the meatballs are done?

Most frozen meatballs you’ll find in the freezer section are actually already pre-cooked and will say so on the bag, so worrying about whether or not they’re “done” isn’t necessary. That being said you do want to bring them to the recommended temperature on the back of the bag to ensure that they’re heated all the way through.

Can I use my oven instead of the air fryer for this recipe?

Yes! Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line the baking sheet with frozen meatballs and bake for 15 to 18 minutes. Keep in mind that while they will still be delicious, they will not be as crispy as if they were deep-fried or cooked in the air fryer.

Do I need to flip meatballs while they are cooking in the air fryer?

Yes. Remove the air fryer basket about halfway through the cooking time and shake it to turn the meatballs. The shaking of the air fryer basket ensures that all sides of the meatballs are cooked evenly.

Are frozen meatballs gluten-free? 

It will all depend on the type of meatballs that you buy. There are gluten-free options out there, but if you have a gluten allergy always make sure to double check the nutrition label.

Can I use turkey or chicken meatballs for this recipe?

Of course! Turkey or chicken meatballs are an excellent lower-fat alternative to traditional beef meatballs. Cooking times should be similar, but always keep an eye on the air fryer to keep meatballs from burning.

Is there a way to make meatballs crispier in the air fryer?

Yes! If you prefer crispier meatballs, simply spray them with cooking oil before cooking and add an additional minute or two to the cooking time. The oil will ensure the outside is browned and crispy.

MORE AIR FRYER RECIPES:

• Air Fryer Chicken Wings
• Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
• Air Fryer Grilled Chicken
• Air Fryer Donut Holes
• Air Fryer Steak Kabobs

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