This Air Fryer Frozen Meatballs recipe is super easy, requires no prep time, and delivers deliciously crispy meatballs every time. These 10-minute meatballs will be your new go-to for busy nights!
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Two Bite Tested
Frozen meatballs are a popular air fryer recipe because:
- They can be cooked in an air fryer straight from the freezer.
- They can be used in lots of recipes.
- Air frying cooks more quickly than traditional oven baking.
This recipe has been tested and retested in my own kitchen to make sure it works consistently and includes ingredient notes, answers to frequently asked questions, serving and storage suggestions, and a detailed recipe card.
A Note From My Kitchen
If you're like me, you're always looking for easy and delicious meals to serve your family. As the kids get older, the extra-curriculars get more involved, and finding quick and easy meal shortcuts is almost a necessity.
One of my latest obsessions has been cooking frozen meatballs in the air fryer. Not only is it a super convenient option for busy weeknights, but it also produces crispy and flavorful meatballs that my family loves.
Using an air fryer to cook frozen meatballs is a game-changer. In this post, I'll share with you some of my top tips and tricks for cooking perfect meatballs in an air fryer, as well as some creative serving suggestions to keep things interesting, like serving with Baked Cheese Manicotti or Instant Pot Spaghetti. Yum! So grab your favorite brand of frozen meatballs, plug in your air fryer, and let's get cooking!
Happy cooking,
Ingredients
Any fully cooked frozen meatballs work here, and cook times can vary slightly by size. Look for these varieties of frozen meatballs in the freezer section of your grocery store to try air frying at home!
- Italian meatballs: Classic meatballs seasoned with garlic, parsley, and Parmesan cheese.
- Turkey meatballs or chicken meatballs: A healthier option made with ground turkey or ground chicken instead of beef.
- Vegetarian meatballs: These meatballs are a great meat-free option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Cook Air Fryer Meatballs Frozen?
If you're here, you were probably thinking, "Can I air fry frozen meatballs?" The answer is yes! You can cook meatballs in your air fryer from frozen. That is actually the way I recommend you cook them! Frozen meatballs come out of the packaging frozen, but fully cooked, so essentially, you are using your air fryer to thaw and heat the meatballs so the inside is hot and juicy and the outside is crisp and delicious!How To Cook Frozen Meatballs in Air Fryer
Cooking frozen meatballs in your air fryer is easy! First, you place the frozen meatballs in your air fryer. Air fry, shaking once during the cooking time, until the meatballs are heated through. See below for detailed instructions in the recipe card.Can I Cook the Whole Bag at Once?
You can cook an entire bag of frozen meatballs at once in your air fryer. In a basket style, depending on the size of your basket, the meatballs will overlap each other a bit and may require an extra shake or two during the cooking time to ensure all of the meatballs are browned evenly. In an oven-style air fryer, the meatballs should be arranged in a single layer.What Kind of Air Fryer Should I Use?
My favorite air fryer to use for preparing frozen meatballs is my Ninja 4-Quart basket-style air fryer. It's my most used air fryer and makes giving the meatballs a little toss super easy.
Two Bite Take
"This is just the tip of the iceberg because frozen meatballs are SO versatile!"
- Becky Tarala
Serving Suggestions
What to Serve With Air Fryer Frozen Meatballs
This is just the tip of the iceberg because frozen meatballs are SO versatile! Here are a few of my favorite ways to use frozen meatballs:- Spaghetti and Meatballs: A classic dish that's easy to make with air fryer meatballs.
- Meatball Subs: Serve air-fried meatballs on a hoagie roll with marinara sauce and melted mozzarella cheese and a side of french fries.
- Meatball Sliders: Mini meatball sandwiches on little buns are perfect for parties or as a snack.
- Meatball Skewers: Thread meatballs and vegetables onto skewers and air fry for a delicious appetizer.
- Meatball Pizza: Use meatballs as a topping on homemade or store-bought pizza dough for a unique twist on pizza night.
Got Leftovers?
What To Do With Leftover Air Fryer Frozen Meatballs
Leftover meatballs can be used for more quick meals and snacks:- Chop and add to a pasta bake or casserole.
- Slice and layer into a meatball sub or slider.
- Skewer with vegetables for easy appetizers.
- Use as a pizza topping.
- Serve appetizer style with bbq sauce for dipping.
- And so much more!
How To Store Air Fryer Frozen Meatballs
Store cooked meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator, and enjoy within 4-5 days.
Air Fryer Frozen Meatballs
Yield: 9 servings
Prep Time: 0 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Total time: 10 minutes
Prep Time: 0 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Total time: 10 minutes
This Air Fryer Frozen Meatballs recipe is super easy, requires no prep time, and delivers deliciously crispy meatballs every time. These 10-minute meatballs will be your new go-to for busy nights!
INGREDIENTS
1 (26-ounce) bag frozen meatballs
1 (26-ounce) bag frozen meatballs
INSTRUCTIONS
- Place the frozen meatballs into the air fryer basket.
- Air fry at 400 degrees F for 5 minutes.
- Remove the basket, shake to flip the meatballs, then continue air frying for another 5 to 7 minutes, until golden brown and heated through.
NOTES
For extra crisp or larger meatballs, air fry for an additional 2 minutes.
Author: Becky Tarala
For extra crisp or larger meatballs, air fry for an additional 2 minutes.
Author: Becky Tarala
Behind the Bites
Hi, I’m Becky, the creator of The Two Bite Club, where good food starts with two bites. I’ve been cooking and sharing recipes here for years, sharing the kinds of easy, dependable dishes that tend to become family favorites. These are the recipes I make in my own kitchen, and I hope you enjoy them as much as we do. You can read more about me and The Two Bite Club
here.
