Air Frying Frozen Meatballs: Safe Or Not?

Frozen meatballs are a convenient and tasty option for a quick meal. They can be cooked from frozen in an air fryer, with no need for defrosting. This makes them an ideal choice for busy weeknights when you need something fast and easy to prepare. The air fryer gives frozen meatballs a crispy texture on the outside, while keeping them juicy and tender on the inside. They can be served as an appetiser, or as part of a main meal such as spaghetti and meatballs, or meatball subs.

Can Frozen Meatballs Go in an Air Fryer?

Cooking frozen meatballs in an air fryer

Overview

Air fryer frozen meatballs are easy to cook and can be prepared in about 10 to 15 minutes. They are a convenient option for busy weeknights and can be served as an appetizer or a meal. The meatballs are juicy and tender on the inside and crispy on the outside. You can serve them with your favourite sauce, such as BBQ sauce, marinara sauce, or sweet and sour sauce, or add them to pasta or sandwiches.

Ingredients and Tools

• Frozen meatballs (pre-cooked or raw)
• Air fryer
• Parchment paper or cooking spray (optional)
• Sauce or toppings of your choice (optional)

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer (Optional)

Although not necessary, preheating the air fryer can help when cooking frozen food. Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (190°C) for about 3 minutes.

Step 2: Prepare the Air Fryer Basket

Line the bottom of the air fryer basket with parchment paper (optional) to reduce clean-up time. Alternatively, you can spray the bottom of the basket with cooking spray to prevent the meatballs from sticking.

Step 3: Add Frozen Meatballs

Place the frozen meatballs into the air fryer basket in a single layer. Avoid overcrowding or stacking the meatballs. If you have too many meatballs for a single layer, cook them in multiple batches.

Step 4: Cook the Meatballs

Close the basket and set the air fryer temperature to 380°F to 400°F, depending on the type of meatball and your desired level of doneness. Cook for about 10 to 15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking.

For pre-cooked frozen meatballs:

• Cook for 10 minutes at 380°F.
• Check the internal temperature of the meatballs with an instant-read thermometer. Pre-cooked meatballs should be hot, with an internal temperature of around 130°F. If you don't have a thermometer, cut open a meatball to ensure it is hot inside.

For raw frozen meatballs:

• Cook for 20 minutes at 350°F.
• Check the internal temperature of the meatballs with an instant-read thermometer. Raw meatballs must reach an internal temperature of 165°F to ensure they are fully cooked.

Step 5: Serve the Meatballs

Once the meatballs are cooked, remove them from the air fryer and serve them as desired. You can add your favourite sauce, such as BBQ sauce, marinara sauce, or sweet and sour sauce, or top with grated Parmesan cheese, basil, or parsley if desired.

The meatballs can be served as an appetizer or added to pasta, sandwiches, or other dishes. Enjoy!

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the process of cooking frozen meatballs. While some recipes suggest that preheating is not necessary, it is generally recommended, especially when cooking frozen foods. By preheating your air fryer, you can ensure that your meatballs cook evenly and efficiently.

To preheat your air fryer effectively, follow these steps:

• Set the Temperature: Adjust your air fryer's temperature to the desired setting. Most recipes for frozen meatballs recommend preheating the air fryer to around 380 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius). However, some recipes suggest lower temperatures, such as 350 degrees Fahrenheit, especially if you are cooking raw frozen meatballs to avoid over-browning the outsides.
• Allow Time for Preheating: Give your air fryer a few minutes to reach the set temperature. Usually, 3 minutes is sufficient for preheating.
• Prepare the Meatballs: While the air fryer is preheating, you can prepare your frozen meatballs. It is important not to overcrowd the air fryer basket. Arrange the frozen meatballs in a single layer, ensuring they are not stacked or overlapping. This allows for even cooking and browning. If you have a large quantity of meatballs, you may need to cook them in multiple batches.
• Oil or Parchment Paper (Optional): Depending on your preference and the characteristics of your air fryer, you may want to spray the basket with a light coating of cooking oil or line it with parchment paper before adding the meatballs. This step can help prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.

By following these steps, you'll be on your way to cooking delicious frozen meatballs in your air fryer! Remember to refer to specific recipes for additional instructions, cooking times, and serving suggestions.

Add the meatballs

Now that your air fryer is preheated, it's time to add the frozen meatballs. Open your air fryer and place the frozen meatballs into the basket. Make sure they are in a single layer and not overlapping. This will ensure even cooking and prevent any soggy or extra crispy spots. Depending on the size of your air fryer basket, you may need to cook the meatballs in batches.

Once the meatballs are in the air fryer, close the basket and set the timer. For most air fryers, cooking frozen meatballs at 380°F or 400°F for 10 minutes will be sufficient. However, if your meatballs are on the larger side or if you prefer them extra crispy, you may need to add a few minutes to the cooking time.

Halfway through the cooking process, pause the air fryer and shake the basket gently to move the meatballs around. This will help them cook evenly on all sides. After shaking, return the basket to the air fryer and continue cooking until the timer goes off.

If you're cooking a large batch of meatballs or if your air fryer is on the smaller side, you may need to cook the meatballs in multiple batches to ensure even cooking. Simply repeat the process until all your meatballs are cooked.

Once the meatballs are cooked to your desired level of doneness, remove them from the air fryer and serve them as desired. They can be enjoyed as an appetizer, added to pasta, or used in sandwiches or subs.

Check the meatballs

Checking the meatballs is an important step in the cooking process. You want to ensure they are cooked thoroughly and safely, and also that they are cooked to your desired level of crispiness.

Firstly, it is important to note that the cooking time will vary depending on the size of the meatballs and the type of air fryer you are using. Therefore, you may need to adjust the cooking time to suit your specific requirements.

If you are cooking precooked frozen meatballs, you do not need to heat them to 165 degrees Fahrenheit, as you would with raw meatballs. Instead, you should aim for an internal temperature of around 130 degrees Fahrenheit.

To check the temperature, use an instant-read thermometer to test the internal temperature of the meatballs. Alternatively, if you don't have a thermometer, take one meatball out of the basket, cut it open, and touch the inside to ensure it is hot. If they need more time, put them back in the air fryer for a few more minutes.

For extra crispy meatballs, you can cook them for an additional 1-2 minutes.

Reheat meatballs in the air fryer

If you have leftover meatballs, you can easily reheat them in the air fryer. Here is a step-by-step guide:

How to Reheat Meatballs in an Air Fryer:

First, preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Next, place your leftover meatballs in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer and not overcrowded. It is important to give the meatballs space to ensure even heating and browning.

Reheat the meatballs for 5-7 minutes, depending on their size. For larger meatballs, you may need to add a couple more minutes.

Once the time is up, check the internal temperature of the meatballs with an instant-read thermometer. Precooked meatballs should be heated to around 130 degrees Fahrenheit, while raw meatballs need to reach an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

If you don't have a thermometer, you can cut into a meatball to ensure it is hot all the way through.

And that's it! Your meatballs are now ready to be enjoyed again. You can serve them as-is or get creative with sauces and sides.

Reheating meatballs in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to bring your leftovers back to life, ensuring they are juicy and tender on the inside with a slight crisp on the outside.

Frequently asked questions