Air Frying Frozen Meatballs: Is It Possible?

Cooking frozen meatballs in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get a delicious, healthy meal on the table. It's a convenient option for busy weeknights, and you can have tasty, crispy, and juicy meatballs in less than 15 minutes.

How long to cook frozen meatballs in an air fryer

Yes, you can cook frozen meatballs in an air fryer! Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

How to Cook Frozen Meatballs in an Air Fryer:

First, preheat your air fryer to 375-400°F (190-200°C). While the air fryer is preheating, you can prepare your meatballs.

Take your frozen meatballs out of the freezer and place them into the basket of the air fryer. Make sure that the meatballs are in a single layer and not overlapping. Spray the tops of the meatballs with cooking spray (optional).

Close the basket and air fry for 4 minutes. Then, shake the basket and cook for an additional 4 minutes. If you want your meatballs to be extra crispy, cook for another 2 minutes.

In total, the meatballs should take 10-15 minutes to cook, depending on how crispy you like them.

Tips for Cooking Frozen Meatballs in an Air Fryer:

• Don't overcrowd the basket: Make sure your meatballs are in a single layer and not overlapping. This will ensure they cook evenly.
• Shake the basket halfway through: This will help the meatballs cook evenly and prevent them from becoming soggy or burnt.
• Adjust the cooking time: If you are using a different type of meatball or air fryer, you may need to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
• Use a meat thermometer: To ensure your meatballs are cooked through, use a meat thermometer to check that they have reached an internal temperature of at least 160°F (71°C).

Serving Suggestions:

These air fryer frozen meatballs can be served as an appetizer with BBQ sauce, marinara sauce, or salsa, or as an entree on top of spaghetti or tacos. Enjoy!

How to store leftover air fryer meatballs

If you have leftover air fryer meatballs, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze them in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.

When you're ready to enjoy your leftover meatballs again, simply reheat them in the air fryer or microwave until they're warmed through. If you're reheating in the air fryer, heat them at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 5 minutes.

• Use an airtight container: Make sure to store the meatballs in an airtight container to prevent them from drying out or absorbing other flavours in your fridge.
• Don't overcrowd the container: Try to arrange the meatballs in a single layer, or at least give them some space, so they stay fresh longer.
• Label and date: It's a good idea to label your container with the date of storage, so you know how long they've been in the fridge or freezer.
• Thaw safely: If you're thawing frozen meatballs, do so safely by transferring them to the refrigerator overnight or defrosting them in the microwave.
• Reheat thoroughly: When reheating, make sure the meatballs reach an internal temperature of at least 165°F (74°C) to kill any harmful bacteria.

How to 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:

Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 320°F. It is important to preheat the air fryer before adding the meatballs to ensure they cook evenly.

Step 2: Place the Meatballs in the Air Fryer

Place the leftover meatballs in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Make sure there is a little space between each meatball to allow for even cooking. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the meatballs in batches.

Step 3: Reheat the Meatballs

Air fry the meatballs for 3-5 minutes at 320°F-400°F until they are heated through. You can check if the meatballs are ready by using a meat thermometer—they should have an internal temperature of 165°F.

Step 4: Serve

Once the meatballs are heated through, they are ready to serve! You can enjoy them as an appetizer or add them to your favourite dishes like spaghetti, subs, or skewers.

Tips:

• Always preheat the air fryer before adding the meatballs.
• Leave some space between each meatball to ensure even cooking.
• If you are reheating a large number of meatballs, you may need to do it in batches.
• To store leftover meatballs, keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days.

Can you put the whole bag of frozen meatballs in the air fryer?

Yes, you can cook a whole bag of frozen meatballs in an air fryer, but it depends on the size of your air fryer basket. If you have a basket-style air fryer, the meatballs will overlap each other and may require an extra shake or two during cooking to ensure they brown evenly. If you have an oven-style air fryer, the meatballs should be arranged in a single layer.

It is recommended to cook frozen meatballs in a single layer with space between each one to allow hot air to circulate properly and ensure they cook evenly and get crispy on the outside. Cooking in batches will yield the best results.

To cook a bag of frozen meatballs in an air fryer:

• Preheat the air fryer to 320–380°F (190°C).
• Place the frozen meatballs in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving space between each meatball if possible.
• Cook for 9–11 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until thoroughly heated. Larger meatballs may take 11–13 minutes.
• For extra crispy meatballs, cook for an additional 2 minutes.
• Serve with your favorite sauce, such as BBQ, honey garlic, marinara, or alfredo sauce.

What to serve with air fryer frozen meatballs

Air fryer frozen meatballs are a quick and easy meal to make, and there are plenty of options for what to serve with them.

Firstly, you can serve them as an appetiser or side dish with a dip. BBQ sauce, salsa, and marinara sauce are all great options to dip your meatballs in. You could also serve them with toothpicks as a fun party snack.

Secondly, you can add them to a meal. They go great on top of spaghetti with a tomato-based sauce, or you could try making meatball subs by serving them on a hoagie roll with marinara sauce and melted mozzarella cheese. Meatball skewers are another option—thread the meatballs and vegetables onto skewers and air fry for a delicious appetiser. If you're feeling creative, you can even use the meatballs as a topping on homemade or store-bought pizza dough for a unique twist on pizza night.

Finally, you can try some fun and creative recipes with your air fryer frozen meatballs. For example, you could make grape jelly meatballs, instant pot pasta with meatballs, Italian meatball sliders, or baked cheese manicotti.

So there you have it! Air fryer frozen meatballs are a versatile dish that can be served in a variety of ways.

Frequently asked questions