Air Fryer Meatballs: How Long To Fry?

Air fryers are a quick and convenient way to cook meatballs, with most recipes taking under 20 minutes. The cooking time depends on the temperature of the air fryer and whether the meatballs are fresh or frozen. For example, at 350°F, fresh meatballs will take around 10 minutes to cook, while frozen meatballs will take 12-15 minutes at 375°F. It's important to ensure that the meatballs are cooked thoroughly, with an internal temperature of 165°F.

Meatballs should be cooked in the air fryer for 10-12 minutes

Cooking meatballs in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get that perfect balance of a crispy exterior and a juicy, tender interior. The great thing about air fryers is that they don't require any oil, so it's a healthier option too!

When it comes to cooking meatballs in the air fryer, the general consensus is that it should take around 10-12 minutes. However, this can vary slightly depending on the size of your meatballs and the temperature of your air fryer. For example, if you're cooking at 380°F, your meatballs may take a little longer, around 12-14 minutes.

It's important to ensure your meatballs are cooked through. You can check this by using a meat thermometer—the internal temperature should reach 165°F. Alternatively, you can cut one of the meatballs open to ensure it's no longer pink inside.

If you're cooking frozen meatballs, you'll need to adjust the cooking time. Start by spreading your frozen meatballs in a single layer in the air fryer basket and spraying them with cooking spray. Then, cook them for around 8-10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.

So, if you're looking for a quick, tasty, and healthier way to cook meatballs, give the air fryer a go! Just remember to keep an eye on them to ensure they don't overcook or dry out.

Preheat the air fryer to 350-400°F

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the cooking process. It ensures your food cooks more evenly, gives it a perfectly crispy exterior, and makes the cook time more accurate.

To preheat your air fryer to 350-400°F, follow these steps:

• Plug in your air fryer and ensure it is empty, clean, and dry.
• Set the temperature to 350-400°F.
• Select the preheat time needed. This will depend on your air fryer model. On average, preheating to 350°F takes around 3-4 minutes, while 400°F will take around 4-5 minutes.
• Alternatively, if your air fryer has a preheat function, simply press the preheat button and let the air fryer do the work.

It's important to note that not all foods require preheating. For example, when baking bread, cakes, or pastries, preheating may result in an overly crispy exterior before the interior is fully cooked. Similarly, when cooking thicker items like whole chicken or roasts, preheating may lead to an overcooked exterior before the interior is done. In these cases, it's best to skip preheating and adjust the cooking time as needed.

Combine ingredients and form into balls

Combining the ingredients and forming them into balls is a crucial step in making air fryer meatballs. Here's a detailed guide to help you through the process:

Firstly, gather all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl. The specific ingredients may vary depending on your preference and recipe, but typically, you'll need ground meat (such as beef, pork, or a combination), Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs (regular or Italian-seasoned), eggs, and seasonings like Italian seasoning, garlic (fresh, minced, or powder), salt, and pepper. You can also add other ingredients like onion, milk, parsley, or onion powder for extra flavour and moisture.

Once you have all the ingredients in the bowl, it's time to mix them thoroughly. Use a spatula or your clean hands to blend everything together until it forms a uniform meatball mixture. Make sure all the ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the mixture.

Now, it's time to shape the mixture into balls. Wet your hands slightly to prevent the mixture from sticking to them. Take a portion of the mixture and gently roll it between your palms to form a ball. Repeat this process until you have formed all the meatballs. Aim for uniformity in size to ensure even cooking. You can use a small ice cream scoop to help portion out the mixture evenly.

Place the formed meatballs on a baking sheet or plate. At this stage, you can cover and refrigerate them for a while to let them firm up before cooking, which will help them hold their shape better.

Finally, when you're ready to cook, place the meatballs in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they don't overlap or stack. Preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature, usually around 350-400°F (175-204°C), and cook according to your recipe's instructions.

Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket

While it may be tempting to stack or squish food into your air fryer basket to cook as much as possible at once, this is a common mistake that can lead to disappointing results. Overcrowding the basket can cause your food to steam instead of fry, resulting in soggy, unevenly cooked meals.

Air fryers rely on the circulation of hot air to cook food quickly and evenly. When the basket is overcrowded, the hot air cannot circulate properly, leading to uneven cooking and a less-than-crispy exterior. This is especially important when cooking chicken, as overcrowding can result in undercooked meat, which can be dangerous.

To avoid this issue, it is recommended to cook in batches. Air fryer cooking is generally faster than roasting or frying, so you won't have to wait long for your food to be ready. By cooking smaller batches, you'll also allow for better airflow, which will give you that crispy, golden exterior you're looking for.

If you're in a hurry, you can also consider getting an air fryer with a larger basket or using accessories like a double-decker cooking rack to increase your cooking surface. However, keep in mind that even with a larger basket, overcrowding can still lead to uneven cooking, so it's always best to give your food some breathing room.

So, when preparing your favourite air fryer meatballs or any other delicious meal, remember to give your food the space it needs to cook properly and avoid the temptation to overcrowd the air fryer basket!

Meatballs can be frozen and reheated

Yes, meatballs can be frozen and reheated. Freezing meatballs is a great way to meal prep. You can store them in a freezer-safe container for up to three months.

To freeze, place the uncooked meatballs on a baking sheet and put them in the freezer for four hours. Then, transfer the frozen meatballs to a freezer-safe container.

When you're ready to cook the frozen meatballs, place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket and increase the cook time to 15 minutes. Cook for 12 minutes, shake the basket, and then cook for another three minutes.

You can also reheat cooked meatballs in the air fryer. Preheat your air fryer to 320-380 degrees Fahrenheit and cook the meatballs for 3-5 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.

Frequently asked questions