Air-Fryer Meatballs: From Frozen To Flavorful

Cooking meatballs in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to prepare a tasty meal. You can cook frozen or unfrozen meatballs in an air fryer, and the cooking time will depend on the temperature you set the air fryer to. For example, at 400°F, it will take 10-15 minutes, whereas at 350°F, it will take around 10 minutes. You should also shake the basket at the 8-minute mark to ensure the meatballs are cooked evenly.

How to form the meatballs

To form the meatballs, combine the ingredients thoroughly. The better combined the ingredients are, the less likely the meatballs are to fall apart during cooking. Roll the mixture into balls (20-25 is a good number). Place them in a single layer on the cooking rack inside the air fryer basket. It's okay if the meatballs touch each other, but they shouldn't be piled up.

Chill the meatballs for 20 minutes before cooking. This will help them hold their shape. Transfer them to a tray or plate and place this in the fridge.

If you're cooking frozen meatballs, simply place them in the air fryer basket and follow the cooking instructions.

How to cook the meatballs

To cook fully cooked meatballs in an air fryer, first place the meatballs in a single layer on the cooking rack inside the air fryer basket. It's fine if the meatballs touch, but they shouldn't be piled up. Set the air fryer to 350-400°F and cook the meatballs for 8-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. Check the meatballs once or twice to make sure they are browning evenly, and rearrange them with tongs if necessary. If you want your meatballs to be crispier, continue cooking for an additional 1-2 minutes. To check if the meatballs are cooked all the way through, use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature of one or two meatballs. It should be at least 165°F. Allow the meatballs to rest for five minutes before serving.

How to serve the meatballs

Once your meatballs are cooked, you can serve them in a variety of ways. Meatballs are a versatile dish and can be served as an appetiser or an entree. You can serve them with BBQ sauce or marinara sauce, on top of spaghetti, or in any recipe that requires meatballs. For example, they work well in a sandwich, or served over mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles.

How to check if the meatballs are cooked

To check if your meatballs are cooked, use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature of one or two meatballs. It should be at least 165°F. You can also check if they are browning evenly and rearrange them with tongs if necessary.

How to cook frozen meatballs

To cook frozen meatballs in an air fryer, place the frozen meatballs into the basket of the air fryer. Close the basket and air fry the meatballs for 10 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Halfway through, shake the basket to ensure the meatballs cook evenly. If you want your meatballs crispier, continue to cook for an additional 1-2 minutes.

If you are cooking raw meatballs, it is important to combine the ingredients well so that the meatballs are less likely to fall apart during cooking. Roll the mixture into 20-25 balls. Transfer to a tray or plate, then chill for 20 minutes. Heat the air fryer to 180C. Place the meatballs in the air fryer basket and cook for 10-12 minutes until golden and cooked through. You may need to cook the meatballs in batches, or cook all of them and move them around halfway through cooking.

If you are unsure if the meatballs are cooked all the way through, use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature of one or two meatballs. It should be at least 165°F.

Frequently asked questions