Name: Frozen Meatballs in Air Fryer
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 1 bag frozen meatballs; spray oil; 1/4 cup grape jelly; 1 cup BBQ sauce

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Frozen Meatballs in Air Fryer

Air fryer frozen meatballs are so good, and super easy to prepare, and once you have tried them there is no going back. You can use air fryer frozen meatballs in all kinds of ways, by simply enjoying meatballs, or adding your meatballs to another dish, this is the perfect recipe.

Let’s look at what you need in order to make air fried meatballs. Below is a list of our recommended ingredients to enjoy meatballs as an appetizer, but if you wish to add them to something like spaghetti, simply leave out the barbecue sauce and grape jelly.

Easy Grape Jelly Meatballs

Ingredients to Make Air Fryer Frozen Meatballs

Frozen meatballs in a bag

Spray oil

Grape jelly

BBQ sauce

How To Air Fry Frozen Meatballs

Begin by spraying your air frying basket with a high smoke point oil.

Open your bag of meatballs that are fresh from the freezer and pour them into your air fryer basket. Be sure the meatballs are in a single layer.

Air fry your meatballs at 375°F for approximately five minutes. Remove the air fryer basket and shake it so that your meatballs turn and rearrange.

Continue air frying for another 5 to 8 minutes or until your meatballs are warmed all the way through.

Please note that if you are using raw meatballs, you will need to be sure they reach the appropriate internal temperature for your meat.

Remove your cooked meatballs from the air fryer, add any sauce if desired, serve, and enjoy.

Our favorite way to make these meatballs is to combine barbecue sauce and grape jelly, then dip each meatball into the sauce before serving. This makes delicious, barbecued meatballs that are perfect for every occasion.

Tips on Cooking These Meatballs

Oil. The oil that you spray on your air fryer basket will help prevent your meatballs from sticking to the basket as they cook. When choosing your oil, it’s important to choose an oil that has a higher smoke point, meaning that it must reach a very high temperature before your oil smokes. Oils such as canola or avocado work well for this purpose.

Raw Meatballs. Please note that raw meatballs can be cooked in your air fryer, however, they need to reach the internal temperature appropriate for their type of meat, and may require additional time to fully cook.

Variations in Cooking Time

There are a couple reasons why you might need different cooking times, and that depends on what kind of meat you are air frying, and your specific air fryer. Different air fryers may cook faster or longer than others, so it’s a good idea to set your timer for less time than you think you will need, and add more time as needed.

Chicken Meatballs in air fryer

Making air fryer chicken meatballs are so easy and so good. When air frying frozen chicken meatballs, it is important that the internal temperature of your meatballs reaches 165°F especially if your meatballs are raw.

Turkey Meatballs

Turkey meatballs should also reach an internal temperature of 165°F since they are made of poultry.

Italian Meatballs

And meatballs are often made with a mixture of pork and beef. Because of this, Italian meatballs should be cooked so that they reach an internal temperature of at least 145°F before they are done cooking.

Cooked Perfect Angus Beef Meatballs

Beef meatballs should also reach an internal temperature of 145°F at least before they are done.

Frozen Mini Meatballs

Mini meatballs can also be air fried but are likely to require less time than regular sized meatballs. Air fry for approximately five minutes, then you can turn your meatballs. Continue air frying for another 2 to 5 minutes until your meatballs are done.

Please note that these temperatures should be observed for sure if your meatballs are raw, but also make a good rule of thumb if your meatballs are pre-cooked.

A Note on Cooking Frozen Raw Meatballs in the Air Fryer

Raw meatballs can be cooked in your air fryer but may need additional cooking time so that you are sure the internal temperature is reached, and your meatballs are safe to eat. The amount of time raw meatballs may take can vary depending on what kind of meat you are cooking and if your raw meatballs are thawed or frozen.

To be safe, plan to add extra time to your meatballs, and use an instant read thermometer to check the internal temperature of your meatballs before you finish air frying them.

How To Make Sure Air Fryer Meatballs Are Fully Cooked

To be sure your air fryer meatballs are fully cooked, you can start by examining the appearance of the meatballs to see if they look done on the outside.

Then take an instant-read thermometer, and check the internal temperature. Any poultry should reach at least 165°F, and beef and pork meatballs should reach at least 145°F before they are done cooking.

Next, as a final test, you can take a meatball and cut it in half to make sure the inside is fully baked.

How To Serve Air Fried Bag of Meatballs

Air fried meatballs are best when enjoyed fresh from your air fryer. You can serve air fried meatballs alone, dipped in sauce, or mixed into other dishes such as spaghetti or meatballs subs. The most common ways to serve meatballs are either in barbecue sauce or red sauce.

Best Way to Reheat Meatballs in the Air Fryer

There are two main ways to reheat meatballs, and that is in your air fryer, or in the oven. You can also reheat meatballs in the microwave, although this does not generally have a desirable outcome.

To reheat meatballs in the air fryer, simply spray your air fryer basket with oil, then add your meatballs. Air fry at 350°F for approximately 8 to 10 minutes or until your meatballs are warmed through.

Reheat Meatballs in Oven

Reheating meatballs in the oven is very easy to do. Simply place your meatballs on a rimmed cookie sheet, and preheat your oven to 350°F. Add your meatballs to the oven, and bake for approximately 10 minutes or until your meatballs are warmed all the way through.

How to Store Leftovers

Leftover meatballs can be stored at room temperature for up to two hours before they go bad. After that, leftover meatballs should be transferred to an air tight container or sealed in a plastic bag, and stored in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. We do not recommend freezing leftover meatballs for longer storage once they have been air fried.

FAQs

Will These Directions Work with Homemade Meatballs Too?

Yes, you can follow similar instructions for air frying homemade meatballs, however, they are likely to need a little longer to fully cook.

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

The exact amount of time it takes to cook frozen meatballs in the air fryer may vary depending upon the type of meatballs you’re cooking, and your air fryer. Typically it will take between 8 and 12 minutes to air fry frozen meatballs.

What Are Good Frozen Meatballs?

Although there are many good options for frozen meatballs, some of the top favorites include Trader Joe’s turkey meatballs, Walmart meatballs (great value), Aldi frozen meatballs, and Earth’s Best meatballs.

How Long Are Meatballs Good For?

Meatballs are typically good for 3 to 4 days when stored in an airtight container or plastic storage bag in the refrigerator.

Where to Buy Frozen Meatballs?

Trader joe’s, Walmart, Aldi, Costco, Whole Foods, and Kroger all have good options for frozen meatballs.

How Long Do Meatballs Last in The Fridge?

Usually, meatballs will last between three and four days in the fridge.

How to Cook Frozen Raw Meatballs?

Usually, it will take between 8 and 12 minutes to fully cook frozen raw meatballs. However, because the meatballs are raw, they may need a few more minutes to reach the necessary internal temperature.

How to Make Frozen Meatballs Taste Better?

While most brands of frozen meatballs taste delicious, you can improve the taste by adding a sauce, or seasonings to the frozen meatballs.

How to Reheat Meatballs?

The best way to reheat meatballs is by air frying them at 350°F for a few minutes or until they are warmed through. You can also use the oven and microwave to reheat meatballs if needed.

Can You Boil Meatballs?

Yes, you can boil meatballs, although we believe the air fried meatballs taste much better.

How to Cook Frozen Meatballs in the Air Fryer

Cooking frozen meatballs in the air fryer is easy to do, and they taste fabulous. It’s so easy to simply open the bag of meatballs, and air fry them for a few minutes then add your desired sauce and enjoy! You just can’t go wrong with delicious air fried meatballs.

Give this recipe a try and let us know what you think about it! Be sure to comment below or tag us on social media with a picture of your food! Also, be sure to subscribe below to our newsletter so that you never miss out on anything!

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Easy Frozen Meatballs in Air Fryer

Frozen Meatballs in Air Fryer

Easy Grape Jelly Meatballs

Ingredients to Make Air Fryer Frozen Meatballs

How To Air Fry Frozen Meatballs

Tips on Cooking These Meatballs