Meatballs cooked in an air fryer are perfectly juicy and tender, especially when prepared correctly. Though an air fryer can be a game-changer for cooking meat and ground beef, you should be considerate of some significant things. Here is my take on how to cook frozen meatballs in an air fryer, so dive right in.
Meatballs In Air Fryer
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Parchment paper or air fryer basket silicone liner
- Tongs with silicone tip
Ingredients
- 26 ounces Packaged frozen meatballs
- Non-stick olive oil cooking spray
Instructions
- To start the recipe, preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 3 to 4 minutes.
- Get your frozen meatballs from the freezer and place them in the air fryer basket. Make sure they are not stacked upon each other and have space between them. It will help you with better convection and air circulation.
- Now, spray the meatballs with olive oil, close the basket of the air fryer, and cook it for around 10 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit or 180 degrees Celsius. You can adjust the temperature according to the air fryer size.
- Once the five minutes are up, shake the basket and cook it for the other five minutes. It evenly cooks the meatballs and gives them a crispy brown color.
- Check whether the meatballs are suitably cooked to your taste. If not, cook them for another minute or two to get a perfectly crispy exterior.
- Finally, remove them from the basket and transfer them to the serving place. Enjoy as an appetizer with BBQ sauce, or marinara sauce spaghetti.
Notes
- Never overcrowd the air fryer basket. Whenever you are loading the basket with food, make sure there is space between the pieces, so the air is better circulated in the basket, giving even and uniform cooking. It also gives a crispy exterior to the meatballs.
- Cook a small batch of the meatballs to check what timing works best for your specific air fryer model. It can give you a direction for future batches.
- Shake the air fryer basket halfway through the cooking time. It makes sure the air is distributed evenly to all the meatballs.
- Do not underestimate the use of cooking oil. It is what gives the meatball the perfect brown color when air-fried. Doing so will also help you get away from messy cleanups.
- Add parchment paper on the bottom of the air fryer to catch the small drips and juices from the meatballs. I usually prefer using parchment paper with holes in them.
Nutritional Value of Air Fryer Meatballs
Meatballs are usually made up of meat, herbs, and onions, all of which are sources of protein and fiber. Plus, this recipe requires no deep-frying, which means you are all good to consume them without worrying about the calorie count. Typically, a single serving of these meatballs has 323 calories, 21g protein, 26g fat, 10g saturated fat, 17 mg calcium, and 91U vitamin A.
What to Do with the Leftovers?
The good thing about frozen meatballs is that you can always store them in the fridge. All you need to do is just place them in an airtight container and in the refrigerator; they are good to consume for up to 5 days. The frozen meatballs can survive in the freezer for anywhere up to three months.
How to Serve These Frozen Meatballs?
Air fryer meatballs are a quick appetizer for any party. And, they can be served in other dishes, some of which are mentioned below.
- Pasta is the best way to use your air fryer meatballs. I usually add them to spaghetti, linguine, and penne. Another quick tip would be to add tomato sauce on top of parmesan cheese, and you will experience a fully transformative taste.
- You can also use meatballs in sandwiches. They are quick and easy for additional protein in burgers and sandwiches. All you need to do is mash them and combine them with marinara sauce for the perfect creamy filling.
- Adding them to the list of pizza toppings is another innovative idea. For this, you can cut them in half and in four pieces.
How Do I Know When the Frozen Meatballs Are Done Cooking in the Air Fryer?
If you struggle with air fryer temperature and time, it is always better to use a meat thermometer. It can help you get the desired exterior. Just check for when the internal temperature reaches 74 degrees Celsius or 165 degrees Fahrenheit, as it usually indicates the meatballs are fully cooked and safe to consume.
Have You Tried It?
Finally, I hope you know how to cook your frozen meatballs in the air fryer for under 12 minutes. It is a quick appetizer and lunch paired with marinara spaghetti. So, do give it a try on busy weekdays, and save yourself time and effort.
