Frozen Meatballs in the Air Fryer

Frozen meatballs in the air fryer are cooked up quickly to make the perfect little comfort food.

Whether it’s for an appetizer or addition to your entrée, frozen meatballs have become a staple in houses.

Well, good news. You can heat them in the air fryer with no oil needed!

I’m going to tell you how to cook frozen meatballs in the air fryer, how to reheat meatballs in the air fryer, what the best brands of meatballs are, and some recipes that can go alongside it. Can you say Air Fryer Meatball Sub?!

These directions are for precooked frozen meatballs. Please see the notes below on how to cook frozen raw meatballs.

Will These Directions Work with Homemade Meatballs Too?

Yes, these directions will work great if the meatballs are frozen when cooked.

And if you haven’t made my easy homemade Air Fryer Italian Meatballs or Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs recipes, you must try them! They’re freezer-friendly and use these directions to cook from frozen!

How to Make Air Fryer Frozen Meatballs

A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.

STEP ONE: Preheat your air fryer to 320 degrees.

The lower temperature is important for two reasons. It helps heat the inside thoroughly so the entire meatball is warm and helps keep the outside from getting cooked too well done.

STEP 2: Place the frozen meatballs inside the air fryer and cook for 9 to 11 minutes until thoroughly heated. Larger meatballs may take 11-13 minutes.

I like to check the inside of the meatballs with my Kizen Instant-Read Thermometer.

Look for a temperature of at least 110 degrees to show it’s warm enough all the way through (frozen meatballs come fully cooked so you do not need to reach 165 degrees).

STEP THREE: Remove the meatballs from your air fryer and enjoy!

How Long Do I Cook Frozen Meatballs in the Air Fryer?

Meatballs can vary in size, so this can alter the time it takes to cook them anywhere, including an air fryer.

• Smaller or mini meatballs – 9 to 11 minutes
• Larger meatballs – 11 to 13 minutes

What Are Good Frozen Meatballs?

There are a lot of frozen meatball brands out there. These are my favorites. They all come pre-cooked and just need to be heated with the directions included in this post!

• Rosina Home-Style Meatballs
• Nature’s Rancher Fully Cooked Angus Beef Meatballs (found at Whole Foods)
• Farm Rich Italian Style Meatballs

Tips on Cooking These Meatballs

• Start the temperature low. This will result in a more tender meatball that’s not dried out and overcooked
• Do not overcrowd the meatballs. Air fryers need airflow to cook food evenly. Place the meatballs in on layer not touching to get the best results. Make a second batch if needed.
• You can use turkey, chicken, or beef meatballs! These directions are tailored to work for all types of meatballs.
• Always preheat. These air fryer frozen meatballs work best when the air fryer is preheated. It ensures they’re cooked evenly and don’t dry out on the outside while still being cold on the inside

A Note on Cooking Frozen Raw Meatballs in the Air Fryer

Frozen raw meatballs are harder to come by. Most frozen meatballs come fully cooked and just need to be heated up before eating.

You can use these directions to cook them but must cook them to 165 degrees and check their internal temperature with an Instant-Read Thermometer.

How to Reheat Meatballs in the Air Fryer

1. Preheat your air fryer to 320 degrees.
2. Cook the meatballs for 3-4 minutes, until heated thoroughly.
3. Remove the meatballs from the air fryer and enjoy!

What Pairs Well with Frozen Meatballs?

I love adding turning the meatballs into an Air Fryer Meatball Sub or on top of spaghetti, but you can also add your favorite sauce and pair them with these sides:

• Air Fryer Green Beans
• Air Fryer Corn-on-the-Cob
• Air Fryer Asparagus with Parmesan
• Air Fryer Broccoli Parmesan
• Air Fryer Roasted Brussels Sprouts

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