Air Fryer Frozen Meatballs

Air fryer frozen meatballs are a super easy, delicious and nutritious meal that can be made in the air fryer in minutes. Today I’m making frozen meatballs from IKEA, also known as Swedish meatballs. These IKEA meatballs in the air fryer turn tender and juicy inside with a nice outer crisp. You can use them in different recipes or enjoy them alone with your favorite dips. I served mine with homemade Copycat Chick-Fil-A Sauce.

When using an air fryer, frozen foods cook just as well as fresh foods, so there’s no need to plan ahead. Simply pop frozen meatballs into the air fryer and set the timer. You’ll have a delicious, hot meal in no time – with very little effort. 

My kids are crazy about IKEA meatballs. I'm not sure if it's the delicious taste or the smooth round shapes, but they can't get enough of them. When we go to the store, they always beg me to buy a package of meatballs to take home. Fortunately, IKEA sells their famous meatballs in frozen packages, so I can always have some on hand for a quick and easy meal. 

Ingredients

• 12 Frozen Meatballs. I used IKEA beef and pork frozen meatballs.
• The dipping sauce, such as Homemade Chipotle or Homemade Copycat Chick-Fil-A sauce.

Instructions

• Preheat the air fryer to 350F/177C.
• Place frozen meatballs directly onto the air fryer basket, or tray. 
• Space the balls from each other evenly and about ½ inch apart.
• Air fry them for 4 minutes from one side. After that turn the balls with the help of a tong and cook them for another 3-4 minutes, until warm interior and bubbly on the outside.

Swedish meatballs gravy/sauce recipes

You can make different dishes along with fried meatballs. They may not just serve as an appetizer you can cook them as a whole meal and serve them at parties or weekend dinners. Let me tell you how?

You can make gravy by using some simple ingredients.

Gravy recipe #1. Easy to make. Kids love it.

• ½ cup beef broth
• ½ cup heavy cream
• 1 ½ Tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons soy sauce
• ½ teaspoon black pepper or to taste
• ½ teaspoon dried rosemary and ½ teaspoon dry thyme
• Whisk together broth, cream, flour, soy sauce, pepper, and dry herbs in a large saucepan over low heat until smooth. Cook, occasionally stirring, until thickened, about 10 minutes. 
• Stir in air-fried meatballs, and continue cooking until meatballs are heated through about 5 more minutes.

Sauce recipe #2.

• 1 medium onion (pulse in a blender until the paste consistency)
• 2 medium tomatoes, blended
• 1-2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 Green chillis minced, or to your taste.
• ½ teaspoon Red chili flakes (as per your taste)
• ½ teaspoon of Salt as per your taste.
• Heat a tablespoon of oil in a frying pan, and add onion paste.
• Cook the onion paste for 5 to 10 minutes.
• Now add minced garlic and saute for 1 minute and then add tomato paste, minced chillis, red chili flakes, salt, a pinch of cumin powder, and a pinch of coriander powder. And now cook them for 10 minutes.
• After that add the fried meatballs and stir with the mixture.
• Now put the pan lid on and leave for 5 minutes on low heat. After 5 minutes sprinkle the chopped green coriander and enjoy with bread.

How to use the Leftover Meatballs?

No matter how carefully you plan your meals, there always seem to be a few leftover meatballs.

• You can easily consume the leftovers. Just reheat them in the air fryer or oven and enjoy them with your dip.
• You can also reuse the leftovers in the recipes.
• Use meatballs in rice, pizza toppings, and sandwiches.
• Add them to a soup or stew. 
• Meatballs can also be sliced and added to a salad or pasta dish. 

Can I store air fryer meatballs?

Yes, you can store them in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat them in the air fryer for a minute or two and enjoy.

Are Frozen Meatballs already cooked?

While most frozen meatballs are pre-cooked, there are some brands that sell raw meatballs. To be safe, always check the package labeling to see if the meatballs are cooked or not. If there is no indication one way or the other, it is best to assume that the meatballs are raw and cook them thoroughly according to the package suggestion before eating.

Air Fryer Appetizers

• Homemade Potato Jalapeno Balls
• Potato Gnocchi
• Cheese Scones
• Mashed Potato Cakes with Garlic and Parmesan