Order my new cookbook today! 
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our privacy policy.
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 the 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 the 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).
Watch How to Make It!
Frozen Raw Meatballs in Air Fryer Recipe (Uncooked Meatballs)
Ingredients
- 1 lb. frozen meatballs (454 grams; raw or precooked)
Instructions
- Do not thaw the meatballs before air frying! Arrange the frozen meatballs on an air fryer tray in a single layer. Put the meatballs in the top rack position if using an air fryer oven.
- Air fry the meatballs for 10 minutes at 400°F (200°C). Check the temperature of the meatballs using a meat thermometer. If your beef or pork meatballs have not reached a safe minimum internal temperature of 160℉ (71℃) (or 165°F (74°C) for chicken or turkey), shake the air fryer basket and air fry for an additional 3-5 minutes.
Equipment
Notes
💭 Expert Tips from Dietitian Summer Yule
This is a level 1 recipe (may help support fat loss). Typically, I give fatty meats the bump to level 3. However, it’s really easy to create a protein-packed, high-volume dinner for under 500 calories with these airfried meatballs. For example, try this low carb and low calorie meal:- 1 serving air fryer meatballs (typically 3-5 meatballs)
- 2 cups of steamed spaghetti squash
- ½ cup of marinara sauce
- 1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese
nutrition info disclaimer
All recipes on this website may or may not be appropriate for you, depending on your medical needs and personal preferences. Consult with a registered dietitian or your physician if you need help determining the dietary pattern that may be best for you.
The nutrition information is an estimate provided as a courtesy. It will differ depending on the specific brands and ingredients that you use. Calorie information on food labels may be inaccurate, so please don’t sweat the numbers too much.
“To taste” means to your preferences, which may have to be visual to follow food safety rules. Please don’t eat undercooked food x
Nutrition
🍝 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 the Air Fryer
- Frozen Cauliflower Pizza in the Air Fryer
- Healthy Frozen Hash Browns in the Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Buffalo Wings
- Air Fryer Frozen French Fries
You may also enjoy our article on Best Frozen Foods for Air Fryer.
Join our community! Subscribe for all of the latest and greatest recipes, and follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube!
Hello! I’m Summer, a registered dietitian and home chef who loves to cook, eat, and create recipes for you! Every recipe on this site has been tested by me to help ensure your success in the kitchen. All eaters are welcome here 🙂
How did you serve them—over pasta, in a sub, with toothpicks as appetizers, or meal-prep bowls?