Air Fryer Frozen Meatballs

These tender and tasty air fryer frozen meatballs just couldn't be any easier to make. There's a twist to getting them perfectly crispy on the outside while keeping them juicy inside.

Serve over jasmine or basmati rice and garnish with green onions. This dish goes well with a side of air fryer carrots, squash, or asparagus.

Jump to:

• 🥘 Ingredients
• 🧆 Types Of Meatballs To Buy
• 📖 Variations
• 🔪 How To Air Fry Frozen Meatballs
• 💭 Angela's Pro Tips & Recipe Notes
• 🥡 Storing & Reheating
• ❓ Recipe FAQs
• 📖 Recipe Card
• 💬 Comments & Reviews

It’s not a secret. I love my air fryer. The number of quick recipes I have made in that thing is endless.

You can get perfectly cooked meatballs covered in just 15 minutes. Plus, you can pop them in the air fryer directly from frozen - without even thawing them.

It's not just about timing; the air fryer's magic lies in its ability to circulate hot air around the meatballs, cooking them evenly without needing oil.

This recipe also goes over well with kids.  It’s a crowd-pleaser that can be customized in many different ways. Pick your sauce. Spice your meat.

Serve over rice as noted in the recipe, by themselves as an appetizer, in a soup, or even on a meatball sub sandwich. It’s up to you. There’s no wrong way to eat a meatball!

🥘 Ingredients

It doesn’t get easier than this. There are only 2 ingredients!

• Frozen Meatballs - Go with any meatball you want: pork, beef, turkey, etc. Don’t thaw these before they go in the fryer. You don’t even need any extra oil.
• BBQ Sauce - Make my honey BBQ sauce or pick some up at the store.

🧆 Types Of Meatballs To Buy

Any brand in the freezer section, including the generic brand, will work. You can tailor them to your meal after they’re cooked by adding different sauces.

If you live near Sam’s Club, you have many options: Angus beef meatballs, Good & Gather, Earth’s Best, Simek’s, or Beetnik’s Organic grass-fed beef meatballs. For a plant-based option, try Morning Star or Gardein. The cooking times are very similar.

📖 Variations

Top off a plate of spaghetti with meatballs and marinara. Serve them with toothpicks for an easy-to-share appetizer. You could also swap out the BBQ sauce for buffalo, teriyaki, sweet & sour, or marinara.

Think of this recipe as a base for using the air fryer to cook meatballs. How you flavor and serve them is easy to adjust every time you make them!

🔪 How To Air Fry Frozen Meatballs

With 3 minutes of prep time and an air fryer, this will be the easiest thing you make all week. You will need tongs and a mixing bowl to toss the meatballs with the sauce.

1. First, preheat your air fryer. Set the temperature to 390℉ (199℃). All air fryers are a little different, so consult your owner’s manual for more detailed operating instructions.
2. Add the meatballs. Put 16 ounces of frozen (not thawed!) meatballs in your air fryer basket in a single layer.
3. Bake. When the fryer is fully preheated, replace the filled basket. Cook for approximately 10 minutes. Rotate the meatballs halfway through in order to cook things evenly. You can also just shake the basket to keep a more rounded shape vs. getting a crust on just the top and bottom.
4. Finally, mix with barbecue sauce. When your timer goes off and the meat is cooked, transfer the basket's contents to a bowl or serving dish. Stir in ½ cup barbecue sauce, coating each piece thoroughly.
5. Serve. The meatballs will be hot right out of the air fryer. You can plate up immediately or give them a minute or two to cool down.

💭 Angela's Pro Tips & Recipe Notes

• Avoid Aerosol Cooking Sprays: Using aerosol cooking sprays can harm the non-stick surface of your air fryer basket. Instead, lightly coat the basket by applying oil with a paper towel, using an oil mister, or brushing on with a pastry brush.
• Meatball Cooking Times: The cooking time for meatballs will vary based on their size. Larger meatballs may require additional time, while smaller ones, like mini-meatballs, will cook faster. Refer to the FAQ section for guidance on determining doneness.
• Batch Cooking: To accommodate larger gatherings, cook meatballs in batches, as air fryer baskets typically hold 16 to 20 meatballs. For simultaneous serving, keep cooked batches warm in an oven on a large tray until ready to serve.
• Salvaging Meatballs: If meatballs crumble during cooking or become overly dry, consider repurposing them into a bolognese sauce. This approach ensures that even less-than-perfect meatballs can still contribute to a delicious pasta dish, showcasing their adaptability.

🥡 Storing & Reheating

If you have leftovers, put them in an airtight storage container with a lid or a plastic bag in the fridge when they’re cool. They’ll be good for 3 to 4 days.

For longer storage, drop leftovers in a plastic freezer bag or an airtight container. Keep them in a single layer to make it easier to remove and cook just a few.

You can also put parchment paper between layers in a larger container. These are best if eaten within 3 to 4 months.

Reheating

The best way to reheat these from the fridge is to stick them back in the air fryer! Put them in at 350℉ (175℃) for about 5 minutes, adjusted for size and desired temperature, for a delicious meal the next day.

❓ Recipe FAQs

📖 Recipe Card