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Home » Recipes » air fryer » Air Fryer Frozen Meatballs

February 27, 2023

Air Fryer Frozen Meatballs

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Make a variety of easy and delicious snacks and meals with perfectly cooked Air Fryer Frozen Meatballs. Instructions work for any brand. @foodtasticmom via @foodtasticmomMake a variety of easy and delicious snacks and meals with perfectly cooked Air Fryer Frozen Meatballs. Instructions work for any brand. @foodtasticmom via @foodtasticmomMake a variety of easy and delicious snacks and meals with perfectly cooked Air Fryer Frozen Meatballs. Instructions work for any brand. @foodtasticmom via @foodtasticmom

Make a variety of easy and delicious snacks and meals with perfectly cooked Air Fryer Frozen Meatballs. Instructions work for any brand.

cooked air fryer frozen meatballs shown as a snack with veggies and hummus, or as a meatball sub dinner
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As is always the case, my air fryer works its magic again. Any brand of frozen meatballs are cooked to perfection thanks to the air fryer. Perfectly browned and just a bit crispy on the outside. Tender and juicy on the inside. Protein-packed meatballs are the jump start for so many appetizer or snack ideas and main dish meals.

Why this recipe works

When I first purchased my air fryer, I used it a lot to cook frozen foods. It does a much better job of cooking a variety of frozen appetizers and snacks than the oven. It’s quicker, uses less energy and the constant hot air circulation of the air fryer creates perfectly crisp or seared outsides. When giving instructions for how to cook frozen foods in the air fryer, I try and give several ideas for how to serve these foods. Here’s some more of my favorite easy air fryer recipes…

  • Air Fryer Hash Browns
  • 3 Dinners with Air Fryer Frozen Fish
  • Frozen Biscuits in the Air Fryer

Ingredients for air fryer meatballs

No oil is required for this recipe. Just your favorite brand of (already cooked or pre-cooked, not raw) frozen meatballs. I like this brand of angus beef meatballs. I also like turkey meatballs from Trader Joe’s. There are a lot of brands and types, including pork and chicken meatballs. Once you cook your meatballs, you have a lot of possibilities for how to use them.

bag of frozen meatballs

Instructions for air fryer cooked frozen meatballs

Place the frozen meatballs in a single layer in the basket of your air fryer. Make sure there’s a little room in between the meatballs to ensure even cooking. Air fry the meatballs at 375 degrees F for 10 – 11 minutes. Be sure to shake the meatballs around to move them in the basket halfway through cooking time.

cooked meatballs in the air fryer basket

FAQ’s

How do you know if frozen meatballs are cooked?

First of all they’ll be nice and browned on the outside. But the only way to truly tell if they are cooked is to take their temperature. Meatballs are safe to eat when their internal temperature is 165 degrees F.

How long does it take to cook frozen meatballs on the stove?

If you heat the meatballs in a pan with oil, they’ll cook in about 15 minutes. That’s longer than it takes them to cook in the air fryer. Also, the air fryer contains any mess. There’s no grease splatter with an air fryer like there can be with stove top cooking.

How long does it take to cook frozen meatballs in the oven?

It takes about 20 – 25 minutes to cook frozen meatballs in the oven. The air fryer is a far quicker and more convenient way to cook frozen meatballs.

Storage directions

I would not suggest putting these meatballs back in your freezer after cooking them in the air fryer. The beauty of the air fryer is that you can cook just a few meatballs at time. If you have leftovers, place them in an airtight container. Keep them in the fridge for up to three days.

meatball sub made with air fryer frozen meatballs

Serving suggestions

To make a meatball sub like I have pictured, simply toss the cooked meatballs with your favorite marinara sauce. Butter both sides of a small sub roll and sprinkle it lightly with garlic salt. Top the bun with 4 – 5 sauced meatballs. Add some shredded pizza or mozzarella cheese and some more sauce. Place the sub in a paper air fryer liner and cook at 375 degrees F for about 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the bun is lightly toasted.

step by step photos for how to make a meatball sub using air fryer frozen meatballs

You could also serve the meatballs on a plate of cut veggies with hummus or ranch dressing for dipping.

air fryer frozen meatballs plated with fresh veggies and hummus for dipping

Or you could also make your favorite sauce (like BBQ sauce) for the meatballs if you want to serve them as a cocktail style appetizer. You could serve them over your favorite pasta, like a traditional spaghetti and meatballs meal. Or you could make a copycat version of Ikea meatballs (Swedish meatballs). Here’s some recipe links for those ideas…

  • Cocktail Meatballs
  • BBQ Sauce
  • Copycat Ikea Meatballs
  • Mashed Potatoes

Kitchen tools

  • I test all of my air fryer recipes with my Philips XXL Air Fryer
  • Always check the temperature of your food before eating with an instant read digital meat thermometer. The safe internal temperature for cooked meatballs is 165 degrees F.
  • Paper liners for your air fryer basket
  • Frilled toothpicks for serving cocktail meatballs

More air fryer recipes

  • Air Fryer Apples
  • Air Fried Pork Chops
  • Personal Air Fryer Pizzas

More meatball recipes

  • Beef Bourguignon Meatballs
  • Indian Butter Chicken Meatballs
  • Asian Maple Sausage Meatballs
a snack of air fryer frozen meatballs plated with fresh veggies and hummus
Print Pin
5 from 5 votes

Air Fryer Frozen Meatballs

Make a variety of easy and delicious snacks and meals with perfectly cooked Air Fryer Frozen Meatballs. Instructions work for any brand.
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Keyword air fryer frozen meatballs, air fryer meatballs, cooked frozen meatballs
Cook Time 11 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 224kcal
Author Foodtastic Mom

Equipment

  • 1 Air Fryer

Ingredients

  • 18 oz Frozen Meatballs

Instructions

  • Place the frozen meatballs in a single layer into the air fryer basket.
  • Air fry the meatballs at 375 degrees F for 10 - 11 minutes.
  • Open the air fryer basket and shake the meatballs around to redistribute them about halfway through cooking time.
  • Meatballs are finished cooking when they are nicely browned and the internal temperature is 165 degrees F. Be sure and take the temperature of several of the meatballs before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 224kcal | Protein: 14g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 61mg | Sodium: 48mg | Potassium: 244mg | Vitamin A: 6IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 12mg | Iron: 1mg

Foodtastic Mom is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program (Amazon Associate), an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Any highlighted, clickable Amazon link you see is an affiliate link that I may earn advertising fees on when you click to purchase.

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showing meal and snack options made with air fryer frozen meatballs - meatball sub and snack plate with veggies and dip
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Comments

  1. Stephanie says

    February 27, 2023 at 9:49 am

    5 stars
    Frozen meatballs are so useful in so many ways! I make quick meals all the time with them, and have actually chunked them up for hamburger helper when I had no ground beef! The air fryer, though, I have never tried! Dinner just got even easier.

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      March 01, 2023 at 6:29 am

      I would have never thought about that idea, to use them for Hamburger Helper. Great idea!

      Reply
  2. Dana Sandonato says

    February 27, 2023 at 11:10 am

    5 stars
    This has to be the best way to cook up frozen meatballs! Slight crisp on the outside but still so tender within.

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      March 01, 2023 at 6:29 am

      Yes, exactly! Thanks for taking the time to leave a positive review.

      Reply
  3. TAYLER ROSS says

    February 27, 2023 at 11:14 am

    5 stars
    I have a bag of frozen meatballs in the freezer and I’ve been contemplating how to cook them. This air fryer recipe looks perfect and I can’t wait to make them tonight!

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      March 01, 2023 at 6:28 am

      The air fryer really is the best way to cook them. Enjoy!

      Reply
  4. Shadi Hasanzadenemati says

    February 27, 2023 at 11:22 am

    5 stars
    Love how easy this recipe is. Can’t wait to try it this weekend.thank you for the recipe!

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      March 01, 2023 at 6:28 am

      You’re welcome. Enjoy!

      Reply
  5. Beth says

    February 27, 2023 at 11:29 am

    5 stars
    I love meatballs, especially when I don’t have to make them from scratch. These look delicious, and they’re so easy in the air fryer.

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      March 01, 2023 at 6:28 am

      Me too! If I have time, I like making homemade meatballs. But most days, I just don’t have time. So these are a great solution.

      Reply

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My name is Jill and I share simple and delicious, family-friendly recipes. I want you to feel super in YOUR kitchen!

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