Brownish, Crispy Texture on the outside with a tender, juicy, flavourful center- the mouthwatering cooked frozen Meatballs in air fryer are here for you all.
Meatballs are a dish that has transcendental qualities. It is highly popular among people from every nook and corner of the world due to its delicious taste, easy recipe, flexible nature, and inclusivity. They can go along with any dish and prove to be a great dish to be served. However, if you are someone who is health conscious and wants to avoid all the deep frying, we have a great alternative for you- the Air Fryer Meatballs.
By preparing this dish in an Air fryer not only you can save time by making the cooking time faster, but also cut down all the deep-frying fat. The Air Fryer enhances the crunchy outside texture of the Meatballs while keeping it gooey on the inside. It saves time and provides a healthier version of this classic tasty dish.
If you want to know more intriguing and exciting details about making the Meatballs in Air Fryer, keep reading below.
What are Meatballs?
Meatballs are a popular dish among people all across the globe. The have their origins in Persia where they are called ‘Kofta or Kuftan’. They can be served along with other dishes or can be devoured all along. They are quite simple and quick to prepare and can be served at any time of the day. They are called meatballs because the main ingredient in this recipe is ground meat mixed with butter, milk, eggs, breadcrumbs, parsley, salt, pepper, onion, garlic, and cheese which is then rolled into small balls. Once shaped into balls, the meatballs can either be stored for the future or can be cooked at the moment too. Cooking them hardly takes 10 to 12 short minutes.
The popularity of meatballs has increased so much so that now there are various brands in the market that offer delicious frozen meatballs ready to be cooked.
Reasons you should try the Frozen Air Fryer Meatball Recipe
- The Air fry meatballs have an extremely simple and quick recipe. All you need to do is add all the ingredients in a bowl, mix them well together, form into even-shaped balls, and air fry. Simple!
- This recipe takes a very short time to be prepared.Once the meaty mixture is scooped and shaped into balls, they take just 10 to 12 minutes to be cooked in the air fryer. This makes the air fryer meatballs a perfect recipe to be prepared at any time and are an ideal dish to serve the guests.
- The air fryer meatballs have a mouthwateringly delicious taste.There is no one who has the ability to resist this tasty recipe. No matter how much you deny wanting them, when the air-fried meatballs appear in front of your eyes, you just won’t be able to control the temptation anymore.
- The frozen meatballs in air fryer are a great alternative to having to make this recipe from scratch. You will be saved from all the hard work using these frozen meatballs that taste absolutely delicious and fresh.
Ingredients needed to make Meatballs in Air Fryer.
To make some quality Meatballs in an Air fryer, you need the following ingredients:
- Meat: The first and most important thing that you’ll need to make meatballs is obviously meat. You can take lean ground meat for your Air Fryer meatballs because it will add a perfect blend of flavor and will ensure that the recipe is juicy.
- Milk: The meatball mixture requires about 2 to 3 % milk.
- Eggs: You will need eggs for this recipe because they ensure that your meatballs are nicely held together and give a perfect shape to them.
- Breadcrumbs: You can make your own homemade breadcrumbs or simply buy them from the store. Breadcrumbs also help give a firm shape to the meatballs.
- Cheese: The best cheese option for Air fryer Meatballs would be Parmesan cheese. Make sure you add the freshly grated parmesan cheese to your meatball mixture.
- Parsley: Parsley, in my opinion, enhances the taste of this recipe. In this recipe, either of dried or fresh parsley can be used.
- Garlic: You can use chopped garlic or garlic paste.
- Onion: Use finely chopped onions so that they can cook evenly and easily. You can also use onion powder if you’re worried about the raw onion not being able to be cooked properly.
- Seasonings: Salt, pepper, and chili flakes. You can also choose to add Italian seasonings to the meatball mixture.
- Oil: Use 2 tablespoons of oil. We will recommend using olive oil for extra benefits.
- Butter: Use unsalted butter.
How to make Meatballs in Air fryer?
Meatballs are loved by everyone but not everyone can enjoy them due to health consciousness because the usual way of preparing them requires a lot of oil. However, the Air Fryer Meatballs are a great alternative to regular Meatballs. It is not only quick to prepare the Meatballs in an Air fryer but they also have added nutrients and low calories.
If you want to learn how to cook Meatballs in an Air Fryer only need to follow some simple steps:
- Start by preheating your Air Fryer at 350˚ F.
- Take a bowl and start whisking the eggs properly. Add milk and whisk again. Then, add breadcrumbs to the whisked mixture and let it sit for some minutes.
- Take another large-sized bowl and put ground meat in it. Add salt, pepper, chili flakes, chopped onions or onion powder, chopped garlic or garlic paste, parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning to the meat.
- Transfer the egg, milk, and breadcrumb mixture to this large-sized meat bowl.
- Mix all the ingredients properly until well combined.
- After mixing them well, scoop out some of the mixture randomly, rotate it, and form a nice round shape.
- Create evenly shaped balls from the whole meaty mixture.
- Once all the meatballs are shaped, transfer them into the basket of the preheated Air fryer.
- Arrange the meatballs in a single layer to ensure proper cooking.
- Air fry the meatballs at 380 ˚ F for 10 to 12 minutes or until their skin is brownish.
- Shake the basket in between to ensure all sides are evenly cooked.
- Once cooked, take the meatballs out of the air fryer and transfer to a serving dish.
- And your delicious Air fryer meatballs are ready to be devoured!
How to cook Frozen Meatballs in Air fryer
The Air Fry Frozen Meatballs are as delicious and fresh as the regular ones. They require less time to be cooked and are extra easy to make. There are tons of brands that offer frozen meatballs.
If you want to make Frozen Meatballs in the Air Fryer, you do not need to worry at all. It is as effortless as the regular recipe. All you have to do is follow these steps:
- Open the frozen meatball packet and take out the number of desired meatballs.
- Place the frozen meatballs in the air fryer basket, arranging them in a single layer.
- Close the lid and air fry the meatballs at 380 ˚ F for 10 to 12 minutes.
- Shake the basket in between the cooking process to ensure that all the sides of the meatball are evenly cooked.
- If you like crispy outside layer meatballs, cook for 1 or 2 extra minutes.
- Transfer the frozen air fried meatballs to a serving dish.
- Enjoy your frozen air fry meatballs!
What to Serve with Air Fried Meatballs?
Meatballs can be enjoyed all alone at any time of the day. However, if you want to enhance this recipe’s taste and fun you should try serving it with the following items at our recommendation:
- Spaghetti
- Garlic Mashed Potatoes
- Pasta
- Air Fryer Garlic Bread
- Buttered Noodles
- Roasted Green Beans
- Salad
- Rice
- Boiled Potatoes
- Air Fried Potatoes
- Mushrooms and Onions
- Corn
- Roasted Zucchini
- Steamed Cauliflower
- Fried Cabbage
- Glazed Carrots
- Fried Cabbage
Best Sauces and Dips with Meatballs.
Our recommendations for some of the best dips and sauces that go well along with the meatballs are:
- Soy Sauce Ginger Dip Sauce.
- Buffalo Cheese Dip Sauce.
- Honey Mustard Dip Sauce.
- Sweet and Creamy Asian Dip Sauce.
- Roasted Garlic Mayonnaise Dip Sauce.
- Mariana Dip Sauce.
- Asian Dip Sauce.
- Italian Dip Sauce.
- Sweet and Sour Dip Sauce.
- Spicy Mayo Dip Sauce.
- Red Italian Dip Sauce.
- Sweet and Spicy Dip Sauce.
How to Store, Freeze, and Reheat Meatballs?
Store and Reheat: If you have got some extra Meatballs, you can store them through some simple steps. Take an air-tight container and transfer the Air Fry Meatballs inside it. Close the lid tightly and place them inside the refrigerator. These stored Air Fry Meatballs will perfectly last for 3 to 4 days.
To reheat these stored Meatballs, take the container out of the refrigerator and transfer all the stored meatballs to the Air Fryer basket and spread them in a single layer. Air Fry them at 350 ˚F for 5 to 7 minutes.
Freeze and Reheat: You can freeze the Meatballs through simple steps. All you have to do is cool down the meatballs and wrap them gently in plastic film wrap. Then, wrap them in aluminum foil or transfer them to a freeze-safe air-tight container. Close the lid tightly and keep it in the freezer. They can last for up to 3 whole months. You can also directly freeze the seasoned meaty mixture instead of the shaped meatballs.
To reheat the Frozen Meatballs, take out the dish from the freezer, open the lid, and transfer the Meatballs to the air fryer basket. Air Fry for about 10 to 12 minutes.
FAQS?
Where were Meatballs originated?
The Meatballs seem to be originated in Persia where they are called ‘kofta’.
How long do Meatballs take to be prepared in the Air Fryer?
The Air Fryer Meatballs take about 10 to 12 minutes to be prepared at 350F temperature.
Are Frozen Air Fry Meatballs tasty?
Yes! The Frozen Meatballs are a great alternative to the regular recipe. This saves a lot of time and hard work. They are just as delicious and fresh as the meatballs that are made from scratch.
There are many brands of frozen meatballs available in the market which you should definitely try.
Can I Air fry frozen Meatballs?
Yes, you can easily store, freeze, and Air fry the frozen meatballs. All you have to do is just take out the frozen meatballs from the refrigerator and transfer them to the air fryer basket. Close the lid and air fry at 350 F for 10 to 12 minutes while shaking the air fryer in between to ensure even cooking. And your frozen air-fried meatballs are ready to be enjoyed.
How many calories are there in Meatballs?
There are 197 calories in meatballs per 100 grams serving.
Why add milk to meatball mixture?
You should add milk to the meatball mixture to enhance its moisture and cause it to become juicy.
Why do my meatballs crack?
You must be adding too many breadcrumbs or too less eggs that make the meatballs lose their grip and fall apart.
How to prevent meatballs from sticking?
To prevent the meatballs from sticking to the air fryer slightly coat the meatballs with oil. Also, spread them in a single layer inside the basket.
Is it necessary to preheat the Air fryer before cooking meatballs?
No, although it is not necessary to preheat the air fryer before cooking the meatballs, preheating gives consistent results.
Conclusion
The frozen Meatballs in air fryer are absolutely delicious to eat and simple and quick to prepare. Using an air fryer takes just 10 to 12 minutes to prepare this dish, unlike deep frying or oven baking which takes much longer. You can also store and freeze this dish and reheat it in the air fryer when needed, or you can simply buy frozen meatballs from the market and cook them in the air fryer. Air fryer meatballs suit every event and enjoyed by everyone.
