We make Air Fryer Frozen Meatballs into a 10 minute dinner! Dump the meatballs in the air fryer, cook for 10 minutes, and toss in BBQ sauce for a simple dinner! Serve with mashed potatoes and veggies and you’ve got a quick, family friendly meal, that took practically no effort!
We always keep a bag of frozen meatballs in our freezer for emergency dinners or snacks.
Whether we toss them in the crockpot with grape jelly and chili sauce to make those vintage grape jelly meatballs or we pop them in the air fryer and toss them in BBQ or marinara, they’re a life saver when we need an easy snack or a quick dinner.
My kids will eat just about anything if you cover it in BBQ sauce and I’m willing to bet yours are the same! So, we’re showing these air fryer frozen meatballs the way we most often eat them – tossed in BBQ, served over mashed potatoes (usually the refrigerated kind from the grocery store), next to steamed frozen veggies. All in, this meal literally takes less than 15 minutes, it feels like a nice dinner that Mom put care into, and hey, there’s veggies involved. 😉
These make a quick and easy meal, just like air fryer corn dogs and air fryer frozen shrimp!
Ingredient Notes:
Meatballs- Frozen homestyle meatballs work best for this recipe. Try to avoid the Italian seasoned ones if you are going to serve with the BBQ sauce.
BBQ sauce- You can use a sweet or smoked BBQ sauce, go with your preference. We went with Sweet Baby Ray’s this time around.
How to Make Frozen Meatballs in an Air Fryer:
Fry the meatballs– Spritz your air fryer with non-stick spray or brush oil on your air fryer basket. Add your meatballs to the air fryer in a single layer. Cook for 10 minutes at 400 degrees F. Shake the basket halfway through cooking to keep the meatballs from sticking and evenly cooked.
Serving Suggestions:
Coat in BBQ – Toss your hot, cooked meatballs in BBQ sauce and serve them over mashed potatoes or rice for dinner or with toothpicks as an appetizer.
Toss in Marinara – Toss your meatballs with warm marinara and serve over spaghetti or in a toasted sub with mozzarella cheese.
Make a Flatbread or Pizza – Cook your meatballs, spread some pizza sauce over a flatbread, top with cheese, top with meatballs, and return to the air fryer for a few minutes to heat it through.
Snack Hack – Toss your meatballs in your favorite sauce, such as BBQ, buffalo, or sweet chili sauce, and serve with toothpicks for an easy snack. BBQ meatballs are great dipped in ranch, too!
FAQ:
Place the meatballs into the air fryer basket straight from the freezer, no need to thaw them first.
Frozen meatballs in the air fryer will cook in 10 minute at 400 degrees F.
More Freezer Favorites:
- Air Fryer Frozen Hamburgers
- Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Nuggets
- Air Fryer Frozen Burrito
- Air Fryer Frozen Broccoli
Air Fryer Frozen Meatballs
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound frozen homestyle meatballs
- ½ cup bottled BBQ sauce
Instructions
- Spritz the air fryer basket with nonstick spray and add the meatballs in a single layer.
- Cook at 400 degrees for 10 minutes, shaking the basket gently halfway through cooking for even browning.
- Remove from the air fryer and place in a bowl with the BBQ sauce. Toss gently to coat.
- Serve hot.
Notes
Nutrition
Did You Make This Recipe?
Share it with us on Instagram @air.fried and tag us #air.fried
Comments & Reviews
Cristina says
I find that all the frozen ones have a weird taste, even with great sugar free b-bque sauce. Can you suggest a good one PLEASE! I love having them for snacks. Thanks so much!
Karly Campbell says
We normally use the store brand of the homestyle type meatballs. I don’t love the Italian flavored ones, so maybe try different different varieties there.