# Meatballs cooking times

How long to cook meatballs: **18–22 min in the oven at 200°C (180°C fan), 10–12 min in an air fryer at 190°C, 10–12 min pan-fried and 20–25 min boiled**. Every way to cook it is below, with the temperature and how to tell it’s done.

Source: https://feastflow.co.uk/meatballs-cooking-times (FeastFlow free cooking-time guides). Last checked 11 November 2026.

## How long to cook meatballs

Times are for 500 g mince, rolled into about 20 meatballs of 3–4 cm.

Meatballs: cooking times by method:

| Method | Time | Heat | How |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Oven](https://feastflow.co.uk/oven-cooking-times) | 18–22 min | 200°C (180°C fan), 400°F, gas 6 | On an oiled tray; turn halfway. |
| [Air fryer](https://feastflow.co.uk/air-fryer-cooking-times) | 10–12 min | 190°C (375°F) | Shake halfway. |
| [Pan-fry](https://feastflow.co.uk/pan-frying-times) | 10–12 min | over a medium heat | Brown in oil, turning, then finish in sauce. |
| [Boil](https://feastflow.co.uk/boiling-times) (In a sauce) | 20–25 min | simmering in a tomato sauce | Raw or browned meatballs, covered. |
| [Slow cooker](https://feastflow.co.uk/slow-cooker-cooking-times) | 4–6 hours | on low | In sauce. 2–3 hours on high. |

## Before you start

Wet your hands to roll them, and chill them for 20 minutes so they hold together.

## How to tell it’s done

Browned and cooked through, with no pink.

**Food safety:** Cook mince, burgers and sausages all the way through, to 71°C (160°F), with no pink left in the middle.

## Questions

### How long to cook meatballs in the oven?

18–22 min at 200°C (180°C fan), 400°F, gas 6. On an oiled tray; turn halfway.

### How long to cook meatballs in an air fryer?

10–12 min at 190°C (375°F). Shake halfway.

### How long to pan-fry meatballs?

10–12 min over a medium heat. Brown in oil, turning, then finish in sauce.

### How long to boil meatballs?

In a sauce: 20–25 min simmering in a tomato sauce. Raw or browned meatballs, covered.

### How long to cook meatballs in a slow cooker?

4–6 hours on low. In sauce. 2–3 hours on high.

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Times are a guide for typical home portions: ovens, air fryers, microwaves and sizes vary. Check meat, poultry and fish with a thermometer. Safe temperatures follow USDA and UK Food Standards Agency guidance.

FeastFlow also plans a whole meal backwards from serving time, with every dish timed and oven temperatures that don’t clash: https://feastflow.co.uk/