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How To Cook Air Fryer Frozen Meatballs

Name: How To Cook Air Fryer Frozen Meatballs
Ingredients: 1 bag frozen meatballs

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Frozen meatballs are the ultimate convenience food, and using the air fryer to cook frozen meatballs makes dinner a breeze! Check out this ultimate guide to cooking air fryer frozen meatballs.

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air fryer frozen meatballs

Frozen meatballs are the ultimate convenience food, and using the air fryer to cook frozen meatballs makes dinner a breeze! Check out this ultimate guide to cooking air fryer frozen meatballs.

Can You Cook Frozen Meatballs in an Air Fryer?

frozen meatballs in a bowl

It is possible to cook frozen meatballs in an air fryer. The best part is you don’t need to thaw them beforehand. They can go straight from the freezer into the fryer basket.

Meatballs cooked in the air fryer can be tossed with sauce after cooking and then served with pasta, on a sandwich, or as an appetizer. It’s a quick weekday dinner that’s easy on your schedule, budget, and taste buds.

How To Cook Frozen Meatballs in an Air Fryer

You’ll be shocked at how easy it is to cook frozen meatballs in an air fryer! Here’s how to cook one pound of frozen meatballs in an air fryer.

frozen meatballs in air fryer basket

Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees (or the temperature recommended by the manufacturer) for ten minutes.
Coat frozen meatballs with oil spray.
Once preheated, place the meatballs in the fryer basket. Spread them out into a single layer so that the air can circulate properly.
Let them cook for 8-12 minutes or until they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
Remove them from the basket and toss them with the sauce of your choice, or eat them plain.

frozen meatballs cooked in air fryer

Frozen Meatball Seasoning

You can add some pizazz to plain frozen meatballs by adding some seasoning before cooking them in the air fryer.

After spraying the meatballs with oil, try tossing them in different seasoning blends:

Ranch seasoning
Taco mix
Onion soup mix
Chili blend
Garlic powder and parmesan cheese

Alternatively, you can use your family’s favorite blend of fresh spices and herbs. They’ll love this unexpected twist on plain meatballs.

air fried meatballs in bowl

What Sauce Is Best for Air Fryer Frozen Meatballs?

When it comes to frozen meatballs, you have plenty of options for sauces.

Air fryers aren’t meant to cook saucy foods, but you can use the air fryer for cooking your frozen meatballs until they’re the perfect texture.

Once they’re done, you can add:

Barbecue sauce for an easy game day appetizer
Store-bought marinara sauce to make a quick pasta dish
A delicious, silky Swedish meatball gravy
Homemade Korean-inspired glaze for something out of the ordinary

You are only limited by your imagination, so don’t be afraid to experiment with different combinations until you find your favorite one.

If you want some more inspiration, check out these recipes to turn your air fryer frozen meatballs into culinary masterpieces.

air fried meatballs in spaghetti sauce

Best Brand of Frozen Meatballs for Air Frying

With so many brands of frozen meatballs on the market, you may be wondering which is the best to cook in an air fryer.

In general, you can cook any brand of frozen meatballs in your air fryer. Every brand has its unique characteristics, from size to flavor to the type of meat used. It’s usually a good idea to sample different brands to determine which one you love the most.

You can do a test batch to figure out the best way to cook your favorite brand of frozen meatballs in the air fryer. Since every brand of meatballs is different, check the package for the recommended cooking time and temperature.

air fryer meatballs with spaghetti noodles and marinara sauce

Frequently Asked Questions

Looking for more tips for cooking frozen meatballs in an air fryer? Check out these frequently asked questions to learn more.

Should you thaw frozen meatballs before cooking?

You can put frozen meatballs directly into the air fryer to cook without defrosting them first. Frozen meatballs are usually sold pre-cooked, so all you need to do is heat them.

This can vary depending on the manufacturer, though, so make sure you check the label and heat them to the recommended minimum temperature.

How long and what temperature is needed to cook frozen meatballs in an air fryer?

The cooking time and temperature for frozen meatballs depend on several factors, like the type of air fryer you have and the brand of meatballs you’re using.

In general, you can cook frozen meatballs in an air fryer at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. It might take more or less time, but once the meatballs have an internal temperature of 165 degrees, they’re ready to eat.

Do you need to preheat your air fryer?

It’s a good idea to preheat your air fryer for ten minutes before cooking your frozen meatballs. This ensures that your food can start cooking immediately rather than steaming while it’s still heating up. A preheated air fryer will give your frozen meatballs a more satisfying texture and enhance your eating experience.

air fryer frozen meatballs

Conclusion

Cooking doesn’t have to be a hassle. Air fryer meatballs are a quick way to enjoy a flavorful family meal with barely any effort.

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