Did you know that you can cook frozen meatballs in air fryer without defrosting them first? They are such a time-saver, and air frying makes them taste so good!

Frozen meatballs in air fryer are so moist and tender, and they’re ready to eat in under 10 minutes. You can use this recipe for store-bought frozen meatballs or fresh meatballs you’ve made and frozen yourself.
When you air fry frozen meatballs, hot air is passed around them, which ensures that they cook quickly and evenly and that the natural juices aren’t lost. Air frying is, without a doubt, the best way to enjoy this classic family favorite because it doesn’t dry out the meatballs as other cooking methods can.
Heating your pre-cooked frozen meatballs in air fryer is super simple, too. You’ll be guaranteed great results and perfectly cooked meatballs every time!
Tools used to make the recipe.
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How to cook frozen meatballs in air fryer?

First: Preheat the air fryer to 380ºF for 4 minutes.
Next: Place the frozen meatballs in the air fryer basket and cook to 380ºF for 8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.

Finally: Remove the meatballs from the basket and serve with your favorite sauce; enjoy!
Recipe tips:
- To add extra flavor to the meatballs, add garlic and onion powder before air frying if you prefer.
- You can store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days in an airtight container.
- Check the ingredients and choose the one with ingredients you can pronounce easily; best if they have whole ingredients.
How long to air fry frozen meatballs?
It only takes around 8 minutes at 380°F to cook frozen meatballs in an air fryer, making them a great option when everyone is waiting for dinner and their bellies are rumbling!
The cooking time will depend on which brand of meatballs you use and your air fryer model, so be sure to use a meat thermometer to check for a safe internal temperature of 145°F before serving.
Using a meat thermometer is an excellent way to avoid overcooking them.

What to make with frozen meatballs?
- Air fryer baby potatoes
- Your favorite pasta sauce and tagliatelle
- Roasted butternut squash air fryer
- Air Fryer Broccolini
How long are cooked meatballs good for?
Once you’ve cooked your air-fried frozen meatballs, you can store them in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, as long as you seal them in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking them. Storing them quickly is essential, as this helps prevent bacteria growth.
How to season frozen meatballs?
If you want your air fryer frozen meatballs to taste extra special, add a little garlic and onion to them as you cook them before adding them to your favorite sauce. The garlic and onion flavors will permeate the meat as they cook. Of course, a little salt and pepper go a long way, too!

How to thaw frozen meatballs?
The great thing about cooking frozen meatballs in the air fryer is that there’s no need to defrost them first! Instead, you can throw them in the basket and cook them straight from frozen.
However, if you want to defrost them, the best way is to put them in a covered bowl in the fridge for 8-12 hours. Defrosting them in the refrigerator is the best way to preserve the texture, as you aren’t exposing them to a sudden temperature change.
Alternatively, you can defrost them in the microwave. Simply transfer frozen meatballs to a microwave-safe container and heat on the defrost setting for 10-20 minutes; ensure that you check them every few minutes and ensure they aren’t starting to cook. Microwaving can begin to dry out the meatballs, so be careful not to overdo it.
FAQ’S
It depends on the brand. Some kinds of frozen meatballs have a lot of added ingredients and are highly processed, while others are not. Always check the ingredients when buying frozen meatballs, or make your own at home and freeze them.
When cooking frozen meatballs in air fryer, after around 8 minutes, use a meat thermometer to check for an internal temperature of 145°F in the center part of the meatball. If they haven’t reached the temperature, give them another few minutes and recheck them.
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Air Fryer Frozen Meatballs
Frozen meatballs in air fryer are so moist and tender, and they’re ready to eat in under 10 minutes. You can use this recipe for store-bought frozen meatballs or fresh meatballs you’ve made and frozen yourself.
Ingredients
- 16 ounces package frozen cooked meatballs
- Sprayer bottle with olive oil, if needed
Tools
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 380ºF for 4 minutes.
- Place the frozen meatballs in the air fryer basket and cook to 380ºF for 8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
- Remove the meatballs from the basket and serve with your favorite sauce; enjoy!
Notes
- To add extra flavor to the meatballs, add garlic and onion powder before air frying if you prefer.
- You can store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days in an airtight container.
- Check the ingredients and choose the one with ingredients you can pronounce easily; best if they have whole ingredients
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 4 meatballsAmount Per Serving: Calories: 273Total Fat: 22gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 56mgSodium: 366mgCarbohydrates: 7gFiber: 2gSugar: 3gProtein: 12g
Please keep in mind that the nutritional information is calculated using a nutrition facts calculator. It is a rough estimate and can vary significantly based on products used. When the recipe list salt to taste the amount of salt is not calculated, only the sodium in the other ingredients is calculated.