Want juicy, perfectly cooked meatballs without the fuss? These air fryer frozen meatballs deliver incredible results in just 15 minutes. They turn out golden brown on the outside while staying tender and flavorful inside. Whether you’re preparing a quick weeknight dinner or party appetizers, this foolproof method works every time. The air fryer transforms store-bought frozen meatballs into a delicious meal that tastes homemade – all while keeping the fat content lower than traditional frying.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Frozen Meatballs: 10-20 ounces of your preferred brand
- Cooking Spray: Light coating for even browning
- BBQ Sauce: 1 cup of your favorite variety for coating
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
- Preparation: Select your favorite brand of frozen meatballs and measure out your desired portion
- Basket Arrangement: Place meatballs in a single layer in your air fryer basket
- Oil Application: Lightly spritz the meatballs with cooking spray for optimal crispiness
- Initial Cooking: Set air fryer to 350°F (177°C) and cook for 12-15 minutes
- Mid-Cook Attention: Shake basket or stir meatballs halfway through for even cooking
- Temperature Check: Monitor cooking progress and add extra time if needed
- Sauce Application: Transfer cooked meatballs to a bowl and toss with BBQ sauce until well-coated
- Serving: Divide onto plates and serve while hot and saucy
Air Fryer Tips for Perfect Meatballs
Want the best results? Space your meatballs about an inch apart in the air fryer basket – this helps them cook evenly and get that nice outer texture. If you’re cooking a full bag, you might need to do this in batches. A quick shake halfway through cooking helps them brown evenly on all sides. The oil spray is a small but mighty helper – it gives your meatballs that lovely golden-brown color!
Sauce Options & Variations
While BBQ sauce is amazing on these meatballs, you can switch things up! Try sweet chili sauce for an Asian twist, or marinara sauce for Italian-style meatballs. Buffalo sauce makes them perfect for game day, and honey garlic sauce adds a sweet and savory touch. You can even mix BBQ sauce with a splash of bourbon or a spoonful of honey to create your own special blend!
Serving Ideas
These meatballs are super versatile! Stick toothpicks in them for an easy party snack, or pile them on slider buns for mini sandwiches. They’re great over rice or mashed potatoes for dinner, or add them to your favorite pasta. For a lighter option, serve them alongside a crisp garden salad or roasted vegetables. Planning a party? Keep them warm in a slow cooker on the “warm” setting – they’ll stay perfect for hours!
Storage & Reheating
Got leftovers? Pop them in an airtight container and they’ll keep in the fridge for up to 4 days. To reheat, just put them back in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes at 350°F, or microwave them for about 1 minute. The sauce might thicken up a bit in storage, so feel free to add a splash more when reheating.
Quick Air Fryer Frozen Meatballs
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 1 package Frozen Meatballs 10-20 ounces
- Spray Oil
- 1 cup BBQ Sauce use your favorite type
Instructions
- Decide which brand of frozen meatballs you want to make in the air fryer.
- Portion out the quantity of meatballs you’d like to air fry.
- Put the meatballs into the air fryer basket or tray. Spritz the meatballs with some oil.
- Air Fry at 350F/177C for 12-15 minutes.
- Open the air fryer to stir or shake the meatballs as they cook. Watch/check on the meatballs, you may need to extend the cook time.
- Remove the meatballs from the air fryer and place into a bowl. Top the with BBQ sauce (of your choice) stir to coat the meatballs.
- Portion out your meatballs onto serving plates and enjoy!
