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These Air Fryer Frozen Meatballs are ultra quick and easy to make, cooking up in just 10 minutes straight from the freezer! Tossed in an easy to make spicy Korean style glaze, these things are ultra delicious and addictive.
They make the perfect part appetizer or pair them with some Kimchi fried rice or noodles for a whole meal!
Seriously, these meatballs have become one of our go-to favorites for a quick and easy weeknight meal. They only take about 10 minutes to make.
And the glaze is just sooooo good. We just can't get enough of it - it's got the perfect umami and spice from the gochujang, with a hint of sweet from the mirin and apricot jam...it's INCREDIBLE.
If you want a healthier weeknight meal, pair these meatballs with these baked parsnip fries, Instant Pot beets or Instant Pot broccoli - they all go perfectly.
OR...make it more of a comfort food meal with this Instant Pot sushi rice, these Korean sweet potatoes and/or these mashed sweet potatoes.
What is an Air Fryer?
The Air Fryer is a healthier alternative to frying foods. It's basically a small, powerful convection oven that sits on your countertop.
It circulates hot air around the food you're cooking, which is what gives it that crisp texture that mimics fried food (without all the grease).
Read more about the health benefits of using an air fryer.
I personally use this Ninja MAX XL Air Fryer because it hold 5.5 quarts, which is more than most. It has worked great so far and we just love how easy it is to use!
Ingredients
The full list of ingredients and amounts is included in the recipe crad at the bottom of the post.
Any frozen meatballs will work for this recipe. I used beef and pork meatballs, but you could even use vegan meatballs to make this a vegan recipe!
Gochujang is a Korean fermented chili paste that has sweet, savory and spicy flavors. The spice level ranges from pretty mild to extremely spicy, depending on your preference.
Mirin is a sweet Japanese rice wine. I highly recommend using it for the best flavor. However, you can substitute any sweet wine wine for it.
Use a good quality spray oil (not PAM or equivalent) to avoid damaging the air fryer. I like to use this oil sprayer and fill with my favorite oil.
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Step By Step Instructions
Spray the bottom of the air fryer with your favorite oil.
Place the meatballs in a single layer in the bottom of the air fryer and lightly spray again.
**It's important to cook the meatballs in a single layer so they cook evenly.
Cook at 390F degrees for 10-12 minutes (shaking once halfway through).
Remove and toss with the glaze in a bowl to coat the meatballs.
You could also serve them in this homemade marinara sauce, or with this homemade barbecue sauce instead of the glaze. The options are endless for these air fryer frozen meatballs!
How to Make Spicy Korean Glaze
Combine the ingredients in a saucepan and heat over medium heat until simmering (whisking regularly to prevent burning).
Remove from heat and set aside until ready to use. Reheat quickly over medium heat when ready to use.
You may also like these Asian glazed Instant Pot Meatballs or these sous vide meatballs.
Expert Tips
- Don't use PAM or it's equivalent as it will damage the basket. Use an oil sprayer with your favorite oil.
- Don't crowd the meatballs in the air fryer - make sure they are in a single layer so they cook properly.
- Make as many batches as you want. Just double/triple/etc. the ingredients for the glaze for more meatballs.
- Shaking the meatballs halfway through gives them a chance to brown on all sides.
- Substitute vegan meatballs to make this recipe vegan.
Frequently Asked Questions:
The air fryer cooks frozen meatballs in about 10-12 minutes. They have a soft interior and a crisp outside.
You definitely can! These meatballs cook in about 10 minutes straight from frozen. You can also cook air fryer steak tips, air fryer pizza rolls, air fryer crab cakes, potstickers, pierogies and other frozen foods quickly in the air fryer!
Yes, you can use foil under your food. Just make sure you have holes in it to keep it properly ventilated so you food cooks. Do not line the bottom of the air fryer with foil.
If you love this recipe, please leave a star rating and a comment below and let us know your favorite thing about it. We'd also love to connect on Instagram! Follow us at @went_here_8_this for awesome recipes and all sorts of fun food stuff 🙂
Recipe
Air Fryer Frozen Meatballs with Spicy Korean Glaze
Ingredients
- ½ pound frozen meatballs half of a 16-ounce bag
- Oil spray
Spicy Korean Glaze
- 1 tablespoon gochujang
- 2 tablespoons mirin
- 2 teaspoons rice vinegar unseasoned
- 1 tablespoon apricot jam
Instructions
- Spray the bottom of the air fryer with your favorite oil.
- Place the meatballs in a single layer in the bottom of the air fryer and lightly spray again.
- Cook at 390F degrees for 10-12 minutes (shaking once halfway through).
- Remove and toss with the glaze in a bowl to coat the meatballs.
Spicy Korean Glaze
- Combine the ingredients in a saucepan and heat over medium heat until simmering (whisking regularly to prevent burning).
- Remove from heat and set aside until ready to use. Reheat quickly over medium heat when ready to use.
Expert Tips:
- Don't use PAM or it's equivalent as it will damage the basket. Use an oil sprayer with your favorite oil.
- Don't crowd the meatballs in the air fryer - make sure they are in a single layer so they cook properly.
- Make as many batches as you want. Just double/triple/etc. the ingredients for the glaze for more meatballs.
- Shaking the meatballs halfway through gives them a chance to brown on all sides.
- Substitute vegan meatballs to make this recipe vegan.
Nutrition
Beth says
Oh wow! These look amazing and so delicious! My family is going to love these especially my hubby! So excited to give this a try soon!
Danielle says
Thanks beth!
Dannii says
We love cooking meatballs in the air fryer. I am going to have to try them with this glaze next time.
Danielle says
Hope you love them!
Allyssa says
this meatballs are so tasty and very easy to make! Thanks a lot for sharing this!
Danielle says
So glad you liked them!
Kate says
What a FAB idea - I batch and freeze a lot of family dinners but wouldn't have thought of air-frying meatballs straight from the freezer, genius!
Danielle says
It makes it so quick and easy!
Deirdre says
My hubby is going to lose his mind over these! We're always looking for new ways to use our air fryer, and he absolutely loves Korean food, so a match made in heaven!
Danielle says
That's great to hear! Hope he loves them 🙂