How long does it take to cook frozen meatballs in the air fryer? This air fryer frozen meatballs recipe takes 10-15 minutes at 400F (200C). You can make precooked frozen meatballs and frozen raw meatballs in the air fryer this way- no thawing needed! Learn everything you need to know about air frying frozen meatballs, including how do you know when frozen meatballs are done and more!

I’ve got another super delicious and easy recipe today. Actually, it’s so simple, it’s barely a recipe at all! We’re making frozen meatballs in the air fryer (beef or pork). 

Frozen meatballs are one of the easiest recipes to make in an air fryer. Literally all that you have to do is put them on the air fryer tray (or in an air fryer basket) and cook. There’s no need to thaw them, and you don’t need to add oil, since beef and pork both have plenty of fat.

⭐ Frozen Raw Meatballs in Air Fryer 

Here are the ingredients you need to air fry meatballs and make them into a pasta meal: 

• Frozen Meatballs (do not thaw) 
• Marinara Sauce (or your favorite sauce) 
• Spaghetti Squash or Pasta 

I used Italian style meatballs, but you can also make air fryer IKEA meatballs, Kirkland, Rosina, Wellshire gluten free beef meatballs, or your favorite brand of beef or pork meatballs instead. (Turkey meatballs may end up too dry in this recipe without adding some oil.) 

I had some readers from the UK asking how to cook frozen faggots in air fryer. That product (see them here) would definitely need to be marketed under a different name in my area. However, it looks like they should work with this recipe too. 

➕ How to Cook Frozen Meatballs in Air Fryer 

To air fry frozen meatballs, put them on an air fryer tray (or in an air fryer basket). Place all of the frozen meatballs in a single layer and don’t stack them. Put the meatballs in the top rack position (closest to the heating element) if you have an air fryer oven. 

❓ How long does it take to cook frozen meatballs? 

The air fryer frozen meatballs cook time is 10-15 minutes in an air fryer set to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200C). I recommend checking the temperature of the meatballs after 10 minutes of air frying and giving the basket a shake. This will help ensure that you do not overcook them, since air fryer cooking times may vary. 

I made frozen uncooked meatballs in the air fryer in 15 minutes. However, you can make precooked frozen meatballs in the air fryer as well in about 10 minutes. The directions for cooking raw frozen meatballs in the air fryer work best with high fat meats, lean meat may dry out easier. 

How do you know when frozen meatballs are done?

Use a meat thermometer to ensure your meatballs are thoroughly cooked in the middle. They look done on the outside before they’ve fully cooked through, so it’s important to check. 

Raw meatballs made of pork or beef should reach a safe minimum internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit (71C) before consuming (USDA). Cook raw meatballs made of chicken or turkey to at least 165F (74C). These temperatures are based on guidelines for ground meat, which would include raw but not precooked meatballs. 

Most frozen meatballs have been fully cooked before freezing. These count as “leftovers” and you should heat them to a minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74C) (USDA). 

🍝 How to Serve Meatballs 

You can use air fryer frozen meatballs for spaghetti with marinara sauce and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese on top. Prepare some side salads while the meatballs air fry for a simple Italian meal. 

Here are a few more ways to use air fried meatballs: 

• Enjoy them in a meatball sub sandwich 
• Serve them with alfredo sauce over pasta 
• Serve the meatballs as an appetizer with a dip or sauce. (Gravy, keto cheese sauce, barbecue sauce, sweet and sour sauce, or grape jelly-based sauce are some tasty ideas.) 

FAQs 

How do you reheat meatballs in an air fryer? 

You can reheat your meatballs in an air fryer for 2-5 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200C). If you won’t be serving the meatballs with a sauce, reheat them at 350F (177C) so they don’t dry out too much. 

How to make meatballs in air fryer that are not frozen? 

Want to know how to cook raw meatballs in air fryer that are not frozen? Cook fresh raw meatballs for 10-12 minutes at 400F (200C), using a meat thermometer to determine doneness. Small meatballs may take less time than large meatballs. 

Is it safe to eat meatballs in sauce that have been left out all night? 

No, do not eat meatballs that are left out at room temperature for more than 2 hours. 40-140 degrees Fahrenheit is the food safety “danger zone.” This is the temperature range where bacteria in food can rapidly multiply, increasing food poisoning risk (USDA). 

Is it healthier to cook frozen meatballs in an air fryer? 

In general, meatballs don’t end up more “healthy” with air frying versus baking in the oven. Very little fat drips off uncooked frozen meatballs in air fryer. That said, air frying is a time-saver; you don’t need to preheat the air fryer as you do with an oven. 

👩‍🍳 Other Air Fryer Frozen Recipes 

Did you enjoy air fryer frozen raw meatballs and are looking for more easy air fryer recipes using frozen foods? When time is short but everyone is hungry, check out these recipes for the air fryer: 

• Chicken Nuggets in Air Fryer 
• Frozen Cauliflower Pizza in Air Fryer 
• Healthy Frozen Hash Browns in Air Fryer 
• Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Wings 
• Air Fryer Frozen French Fries 

You may also enjoy our article on Best Frozen Foods for Air Fryer.

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