Air fryer frozen meatballs come out perfectly golden, crispy, and juicy every time. Wonderfully dippable in your favorite sauce or served on top of a pile of spaghetti for a spaghetti and meatballs feast. They cook quickly and make a meaty, protein-packed addition to any meal.
Once you cook frozen meatballs in the air fryer you will become obsessed with them! Gone are the days when you cook store-bought frozen meatballs and end up with mushy, flavorless meatballs that your kids will not touch thanks to the air fryer.
These air fryer frozen meatballs come out fantastically juicy and succulent every time, in minutes.
Cooking frozen meatballs can be somewhat of a gamble depending on the brand you use as well as how you cook them. Hands down, the very best method for cooking meatballs is in the air fryer because you will never be disappointed with the result. Plus it is so easy that anyone can make them!
Check out these crockpot bbq meatballs that kids also love!
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Quick and easy – ready in under 15 minutes!
- Healthy and delicious – perfectly crispy and juicy every time.
- Kid-friendly – kids will love them.
- Easy clean up – thanks to the air fryer, clean up is a breeze.
- Versatile – you can use any store-bought frozen meatballs you like or you can use homemade meatballs if you happen to have some in your freezer.
Ingredients for air fryer frozen meatballs
Frozen Meatballs-that’s it! Grab your favorite store-bought frozen meatballs and that is all you need. They must be frozen, pre-cooked meatballs straight from the freezer.
How to cook frozen meatballs in the air fryer
- Preheat the air fryer to 390 degrees F.
- Once the air fryer is ready, add the meatballs and cook them for 9-12 minutes until golden and fully cooked through.
- Remove and serve with your favorite dipping sauce or over spaghetti.
Pro tip! Checking the meatballs at around 7-8 minutes will allow you to adjust the cooking time as needed.
Expert Tips
- Select meatballs that are from a good quality brand – some good brands are Target brand (Good & Gather grass-fed meatballs), Trader Joe’s, GreenWise, or Simeks beef or turkey meatballs (this is the brand I used).
- Preheat the air fryer – this is an important step if you have a preheat function on your air fryer so that the meatballs slightly sizzle when you place them into the air fryer which gets them perfectly crispy and golden when they cook.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer – place the meatballs in a single, even layer so they can get nice and crispy on all sides. If you have a smaller air fryer then you may need to cook them in a couple of batches.
- Shake the meatballs in the basket – shake the meatballs in the air fryer basket halfway through the cooking time to ensure they get perfectly cooked on all sides.
- No oil is needed in this recipe, which is great!
Dipping sauces for meatballs
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do you need to cook frozen meatballs in the air fryer?
This depends on a few things, the air fryer you are using and the type of meatballs since frozen meatballs vary in size and ingredients. Smaller meatballs will take less time to cook. I recommend cooking them for about 7-8 minutes then checking them and adjusting your cooking time from there.
Can you cook frozen meatballs in the oven?
Don’t have an air fryer? You can easily cook frozen meatballs right in the oven, although they will take slightly longer to cook. I recommend following the oven directions on the package since brands vary. Most of the time if you cook them at 350 degrees F for 20 minutes, they come out golden and juicy.
Storing and reheating meatballs
These air fryer frozen meatballs are best if eaten right away. If you do have leftovers they can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350 degrees F until warmed through.
Did you make these Air Fryer Frozen Meatballs? If you did, then please leave a rating and comment below. I would love to hear how yours turned out!