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Air Fryer Marinara Meatball Sub
Meatballs, cooked in a rich marinara sauce, are topped with melted cheese and piled into crusty rolls in this easy air fryer recipe from Bored of Lunch. As seen on ITV's This Morning.
SERVES
4
CALORIES
787
COOKING TIME
14-16 mins
DIFFICULTY
simple
My order at a certain high street sandwich shop is pretty much always a foot-long meatball marinara sub, so I had to have a go at making my own using the air fryer. The result is this – meatballs cooked in a beautifully rich marinara sauce piled into a toasted bread roll and topped with oozing cheese. Air fryer recipe is from my book Air Fryer 30 Minute Meals this recipe also featured on ITV’s This Morning.
Can I cook meatballs from scratch in the air fryer?
This air fryer marinara meatball sub recipe works beautifully with homemade meatballs. Simply mix your preferred mince with herbs, seasoning and a binding agent like egg or breadcrumbs, then air fry until golden and cooked through. It’s a great way to enjoy a healthier homemade meatball recipe with less oil.
How long do I cook meatballs in the air fryer?
For standard-sized meatballs, cook in the air fryer at 180°C for 10–12 minutes, turning halfway. Always check they are cooked through – they should be browned on the outside and piping hot in the middle.
Can I use frozen meatballs?
Yes. Frozen meatballs work well in this recipe. Just increase the cooking time slightly – around 12–15 minutes at 180°C in the air fryer – and make sure they’re cooked through before adding the marinara sauce.
What’s the best bread to use for a meatball sub?
A soft sub roll, baguette or ciabatta works perfectly. You want something that holds the meatballs and sauce without falling apart. Lightly toasting the bread in the air fryer also helps give it extra structure and crunch.
Can I reheat leftover meatball subs in the air fryer?
Yes – you can reheat your marinara meatball sub in the air fryer at 160°C for 4–5 minutes. This keeps the bread crispy and the filling hot without going soggy.
Is this meatball recipe suitable for meal prep?
Definitely. You can batch-cook the meatballs in the air fryer and freeze them. Then, just reheat in the air fryer and assemble your subs with fresh sauce and bread when ready to serve. It’s a great lunch idea or midweek dinner option.
More air fryer recipes like this
More air fryer recipes like this:
Method
Step 1
Preheat the air fryer to 200°C (392°F). Combine all the ingredients for the meatballs in a large mixing bowl, then form into about 12 meatballs using damp hands. Air-fry for 14–16 minutes.
Step 2
While they are cooking, combine all the ingredients for the marinara sauce in a bowl. Add to the air fryer drawer for the final 4 minutes of the meatball cooking time.
Step 3
If your air fryer has a second drawer, toast the bread rolls in it for 3 minutes. If you need to, you can just toast the breads under the grill.
Step 4
Once everything is ready, fill each roll with the garnishes, meatballs and sauce topped with two slices of cheese.
Ingredients
300g lean beef mince
300g lean pork mince
80g dried breadcrumbs
1 egg, beaten
1 tsp dried sage
1 tsp dried thyme
salt and pepper, to taste
For the marinara sauce:
400g good-quality passata
1 tbsp garlic purée
1 tbsp dried oregano
1 tsp onion granules
1 tsp dried chilli flakes
To serve:
4 sub rolls or 2 baguettes, halved
1 red onion, sliced
1 red pepper, sliced
8 thin cheese slices
