Frozen meatballs in the air fryer are ready in about 10 minutes - just place them in the basket, cook at 400°F, and shake halfway through. No thawing, no oven preheat time, no stovetop pan to babysit. They come out juicy inside with a light crisp outside, which makes this one of the fastest ways to get a weeknight dinner on the table.
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Want more meatball recipes? Check out Venison Meatballs With Sweet and Sour Sauce, Teriyaki Pineapple Meatballs, and Low Carb Meatballs Without Bread Crumbs.
If you love using your air fryer to heat up frozen food, check out my Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Breast, Air Fryer Frozen French Fries, and Frozen Chicken Wings in Air Fryer.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- QUICK: These meatballs cook in just 8 minutes.
- EASY: Simply place frozen meatballs in the air fryer basket, set the temperature and time, and you're done.
- SINGLE INGREDIENT: You only need meatballs; any kind will do. Use your own meatballs made from scratch. Use little meatballs for an appetizer or larger ones for a main dish.
- PERFECT FOR WEEKNIGHT MEALS: These are perfect for quick weeknight meals with no prep. Pair them with Air Fryer Frozen Broccoli and Instant Pot Rice for a complete meal!
Ingredients
- Meatballs. I used frozen beef meatballs made with ground beef. You can also use chicken meatballs, turkey meatballs, venison meatballs, or a mixture of pork and beef.
- Optional. Use your favorite sauce.
See the printable recipe card below for the full list of ingredients and quantities.
How to Cook Frozen Meatballs In Air Fryer
Step 1: Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees F. Place frozen meatballs in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook for 8 minutes if they're 1 to 1.5 inches in size. Shake the basket halfway through.
Step 2: Remove the meatballs with tongs and toss them with your preferred sauce. (Air fryers vary in cooking intensity, so adjust the time if needed. If the meatballs aren't hot enough, cook them for an extra 1-2 minutes.)
Jeri's Top Tips
- The time to cook the frozen meatballs will depend on the size of the meatballs, the size of your air fryer, and how hot the air fryer cooks. Keep an eye on the meatballs to make sure they do not overcook.
- Shake the air fryer basket halfway through cooking so the meatballs cook evenly.
Serving Suggestions
- Toss in BBQ sauce
- Toss in marinara, Tomato Sauce, or Homemade Spaghetti Sauce, top with Parmesan, and serve over pasta.
- Make a meatball sandwich or Italian Meatball Sub Sandwich topped with melted mozzarella cheese.
- Serve over Mashed Potatoes for a Swedish-style dinner.
Storage and Reheating
Store leftover meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. To reheat, air fry at 350°F for 3-4 minutes, or until warmed through - this keeps them from drying out the way a microwave can.
Frozen Meatballs in Air Fryer FAQs
It takes about 8 minutes at 400 degrees F to cook frozen meatballs in the air fryer.
Yes, you can cook raw beef meatballs from frozen. However, the cooking time will need to be extended by a few minutes, depending on the size of your meatballs.
You can freeze meatballs either raw or cooked. I find it more convenient to cook the meatballs first and then freeze them; that way, I can grab them whenever I need a quick meal.
Yes, you can make your own frozen meatballs. Flash-freeze cooked meatballs on a parchment-lined baking sheet for 1-2 hours. Once frozen, store them in a Ziploc bag.
Ground beef, pork, and venison meatballs are safe at an internal temperature of 160°F; chicken and turkey meatballs need to reach 165°F. Since you're cooking from frozen, it can be hard to judge doneness by color alone - a meat thermometer is the most reliable way to check, especially with raw meatballs.
More Easy Air Fryer Recipes
Printable Recipe
Frozen Meatballs in Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 16 frozen meatballs (or 4 meatballs per person)
- Optional: your favorite sauce
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400℉.
- Place frozen meatballs in the air fryer basket.
- Set the timer for 8 minutes, shaking the meatballs halfway through the cook time. Since all air fryers cook differently, check to ensure they do not burn in the last couple minutes of cooking.
- Use a digital meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature has reached 160℉. Remove the meatballs from the air fryer and serve with your favorite sauce.
Video
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Notes
- The time to cook the frozen meatballs will depend on the size of the meatballs, the size of your air fryer, and how hot the air fryer cooks. Keep an eye on the meatballs to make sure they do not overcook.
- Shake the air fryer basket halfway through cooking so the meatballs cook evenly.
- Store leftover meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about 3-4 days.
Nutrition
The provided nutrition information is automatically calculated. Accuracy is not guaranteed.
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nancy says
who doesn't like 15 minute meat balls when they are in a hurry!
Jeannie says
That was quick! I like that it uses less oil
Jerika says
Frozen Meatballs in Air Fryer in just 15 minutes! Love it! 🙂 It's just perfect for a busy person like me. Thanks!