Step by step
- 1. Preheat the air fryer to 380°F (195°C) for 2–3 minutes.
- 2. Single layer. Arrange without crowding — air needs to reach every side.
- 3. Cook 10–12 minutes. Shake the basket or flip at the halfway mark.
- 4. Check doneness. Confirm 165°F (75°C) at the thickest part with a thermometer.
The tip that matters
Frozen pre-cooked meatballs just need reheating: 370°F for 7–8 minutes.
Times vary — here's why
Air fryers differ in wattage and basket size, so treat 10–12 minutes as a range, not a promise: check early the first time, then note what your machine needed. Quantity matters too — a full basket can add 2–3 minutes, and anything stacked will steam instead of crisp. Converting your own oven recipe instead? Use our air fryer conversion calculator.
More meat
Bacon · Steak · Pork Chops — or see the full air fryer cooking times chart.