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Air Fryer Honey Garlic Meatballs go from frozen to sticky-sauced in 20 minutes. A 5-ingredient honey garlic sauce and no thawing. Easy appetizer or dinner.

Air Fryer Honey Garlic Meatballs

5 from 1 vote
Author: Laurie Fleming
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings

Description

Air Fryer Honey Garlic Meatballs go from frozen to sticky and glazed in 20 minutes. Frozen meatballs crisp up in the air fryer, then get tossed in a 5-ingredient honey garlic sauce. An easy appetizer or a fast weeknight dinner over rice.

Ingredients 

Meatballs:

  • 1 pound frozen meatballs, about 24–30 cocktail-size
  • Olive oil spray

Honey Garlic Sauce:

  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1 cup ketchup
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce

Optional, for a sticky glaze:

  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch whisked into 1 tablespoon cold water

Instructions

  • Add the frozen meatballs to the air fryer basket in a single layer, without crowding. Spray lightly with olive oil.
  • Set the air fryer to 380 degrees F and cook for 8–10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. Meatballs are done at 165 degrees F internally.
  • Meanwhile, in a small saucepan over medium heat, add the butter and minced garlic. Sauté 2 minutes, until the garlic is soft and fragrant. Do not let it brown.
  • Add the ketchup, honey, and soy sauce. Simmer, stirring, for 3–4 minutes until the sauce comes together and thickens slightly.
  • Optional: For a thicker, stickier glaze, stir in the cornstarch slurry and simmer 1 minute more.
  • Remove the sauce from the heat. Add the hot meatballs to a large bowl, pour the sauce over, and toss to coat. Serve immediately.

Equipment

  • Air Fryer
  • Cooking Spray
  • Parchment Paper, optional

Notes

  • For extra-sticky meatballs, return the sauced meatballs to the air fryer for 2–3 minutes at 380°F to caramelize the glaze.
  • Double the sauce if you want extra for dipping or for spooning over rice.
  • Fresh meatballs work too — cook to 165 degrees F internally, then sauce the same way.
  • Storage: Refrigerate up to 4 days; freeze up to 3 months. Reheat at 350°F in the air fryer for 3–4 minutes.
  • Oven method: Bake frozen meatballs at 400°F for 15–18 minutes, then toss with sauce.

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 483kcalCarbohydrates: 42gProtein: 21gFat: 27gSaturated Fat: 11gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 89mgSodium: 1386mgPotassium: 546mgFiber: 0.4gSugar: 36gVitamin A: 403IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 34mgIron: 2mg