Air Fryer Frozen Meatballs
This easy method is a great way to cook frozen beef, turkey, or pork meatballs at the perfect time and temperature in the air fryer or Ninja Foodi. Enjoy Air Fryer Frozen Meatballs in pasta, pizza, subs, and more family dinners!
Even though I’m super Italian, I take help in the kitchen when I can get it! A bag of frozen meatballs is never a bad thing to have in your freezer and even better when they can easily be cooked up in the air fryer in just 20 minutes or less depending on their size.
My favorite thing about cooking them is that they can be used in so many different recipes which means quick and easy dinner and meal prep! This method is easily the best way to cook frozen meatballs!
📝 What You’ll Need
- Frozen Meatballs – You can make them from scratch and freeze them cooked or uncooked OR simply buy a bag of store-bought frozen fully cooked meatballs. They can be mini or regular size and also work well with frozen Swedish meatballs. And if you’re vegan or vegetarian, you can also use Beyond Meatballs in the air fryer!
- Air Fryer – There are so many great air fryers to choose from including Nuwave, Instant Pot, Phillips and Chefman, but my favorite air fryer of all time is the Ninja Foodi. It triples as an ar fryer, instant pot and slow cooker!
📖 How To Cook Frozen Meatballs In Air Fryer
These times and temperatures are a good start. Please note that every air fryer is different in how long to cook them. Temperature may vary slightly. Test meatballs periodically to make sure they are cooked through, especially if they are being cooked from raw.
| Type of Meatballs | Temperature | Time | Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frozen Meatballs | 350°F | 7 minutes | Cook at 350°F for 7 minutes. |
| then 400°F | 5-10 minutes | Shake basket, then cook at 400°F. | |
| Frozen Mini Meatballs | 400°F | 10-12 minutes | Cook at 400°F, tossing halfway. |
| Frozen Raw Meatballs | 350°F | 10 minutes | Cook at 350°F for 10 minutes. |
| then 400°F | 5-15 minutes | Toss and flip, then cook at 400°F. |
🔥Reheating Frozen Meatballs
Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C), then place the meatballs in a single layer. Cook for 5-8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, and check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) or that they’re warmed through. To prevent drying out, use parchment liners or lightly spray the meatballs with oil before cooking. If the meatballs are pre-cooked, start with the lower end of the time range to avoid overcooking.
🍽️ Quick Dinner Ideas
- Pasta and meatballs: Add them to this Instant Pot Pasta with Jarred Sauce instead of ground sausage.
- Main course: Serve them as a protein along with air fryer broccoli and horseradish mashed potatoes.
- Meatball Subs: Stuff hoagie rolls with meatballs, marinara sauce, and melted mozzarella cheese.
- Meatball Pizza: Top a pizza crust with marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese, sliced meatballs, and vegetables.
- Swedish Meatballs: Serve meatballs in a creamy Swedish sauce with egg noodles or mashed potatoes. We love buying the frozen meatballs at Ikea to make this dish!
- Asian Meatball Bowls: Serve meatballs with rice, Asian shaved brussels sprouts salad, and a teriyaki or sweet and sour sauce.
- Meatball Soup: Add meatballs to a vegetable soup or Italian wedding soup.
- Meatball Stuffed Peppers: Hollow out bell peppers and fill them with a mixture of meatballs, rice, and tomato sauce, then bake.
❓FAQ
Yes, raw frozen meatballs can be cooked directly in the air fryer without thawing. Start by cooking them at 350°F for 10 minutes, then increase the temperature to 400°F and cook for another 5-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. Make sure they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
Both regular-sized and mini meatballs work well in the air fryer. Mini meatballs cook faster, usually in 10-12 minutes at 400°F, while regular-sized meatballs may take up to 20 minutes depending on whether they’re raw or pre-cooked.
No, you don’t need to add oil as most frozen meatballs already contain some fat. However, a light spray of oil can enhance the texture and prevent sticking.
It’s not recommended to cook meatballs already covered in sauce, as the air fryer’s circulating air may cause the sauce to burn or splatter. Instead, cook the meatballs first and toss them in your favorite sauce afterward.
Air Fryer Frozen Meatballs
Equipment
- 1 air fryer or Ninja Foodi
Ingredients
- 1-3 lbs Frozen Meatballs
- Air Fryer
Instructions
Store Bought Frozen Meatballs (Medium/Large)
- Place frozen meatballs in the air fryer basket and cook at 350 for 7 minutes.
- Toss and flip then cook at 400 degrees for another 5-10 minutes until they are warmed through.
Raw Frozen Meatballs (Medium/Large)
- Place frozen meatballs in the air fryer basket and cook at 350 for 10 minutes.
- Toss and flip then cook at 400 degrees for another 5-15 minutes until they are completely cooked through.
Frozen Mini Meatballs
- Place frozen meatballs in the air fryer basket and cook at 400 for 10-12 minutes tossing or flipping halfway through.
Notes
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🍽Use For Quick Easy Meals
- Pasta and meatballs: Add them to this Instant Pot Pasta with Jarred Sauce instead of ground sausage.
-
- Main course: Serve them as a protein along with air fryer broccoli and horseradish mashed potatoes.
-
- Meatball Subs: Stuff hoagie rolls with meatballs, marinara sauce, and melted mozzarella cheese.
-
- Meatball Pizza: Top a pizza crust with marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese, sliced meatballs, and vegetables.
-
- Swedish Meatballs: Serve meatballs in a creamy Swedish sauce with egg noodles or mashed potatoes.
-
- Asian Meatball Bowls: Serve meatballs with rice, steamed vegetables, and a teriyaki or sweet and sour sauce.
-
- Meatball Soup: Add meatballs to a vegetable soup or Italian wedding soup.
-
- Meatball Stuffed Peppers: Hollow out bell peppers and fill them with a mixture of meatballs, rice, and tomato sauce, then bake.
