Cheesy Air Fryer Meatball Subs in Minutes

Air Fryer Meatball Subs are a deliciously quick and cheesy 10-minute meal. Filled with hearty meatballs, rich marinara sauce, and freshly grated Italian cheeses, these subs are bound to become a go-to weeknight dinner!

If you’re looking for a simple way to use up leftover or frozen meatballs, these Air Fryer Meatball Subs are the answer! In just 10 minutes, you’ll have toasty, cheesy sandwiches that are as tasty as they are easy to prepare. With a few basic ingredients from your pantry and fridge, along with your trusty air fryer, you’ll be on your way to a satisfying meal in no time.

One of the best features of these subs is how customizable they are. Make them gluten-free by swapping out the hoagie rolls for your preferred gluten-free bread. Or, lighten them up by opting for turkey meatballs instead of beef or pork. No matter how you make them, these subs are sure to be a hit with everyone!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

Quick & Easy – Ready in just 15 minutes from start to finish!
Customizable – Plenty of ways to adjust the recipe to your liking (see ideas at the end of the post).
Kid-Friendly – Who doesn’t love a cheesy, gooey sandwich?

Ingredient Notes

How to Make the Best Meatball Subs:

Preheat: Begin by preheating your air fryer to 350°F for 5 minutes. While it’s heating up, prepare the sandwiches.
Assemble: Slice open each roll if needed. Place 4 warmed, precooked meatballs inside each roll. 👉 Pro Tip: If using frozen meatballs, cook them in the air fryer for 9-11 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. If using leftover meatballs, warm them for 2-3 minutes.
Top with Sauce and Cheese: Spoon 1/4 cup of marinara sauce over the meatballs and sprinkle with 1/4 cup of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
Air Fry: Place the assembled subs in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Air fry at 350°F for 3-5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the bread starts to toast. If your air fryer is large enough, you can cook two subs at once; otherwise, cook them in batches.
Serve: Once ready, serve immediately and enjoy!

Recipe Tips:

Cheese: You can use pre-shredded cheese or grate fresh cheese from a block for a richer flavor.
Healthier Options: For a lighter sub, opt for turkey meatballs, whole wheat bread, and sugar-free marinara sauce.
Extra Toasty: For an extra crispy sandwich, brush the outside of the rolls with olive oil or melted butter before cooking.
Garnish: Top with fresh parsley for a pop of color—after all, we eat with our eyes first!
Dip: Serve extra marinara sauce on the side for dipping!

Recipe Variations:

Feel free to personalize this recipe with some of these fun twists:

Loaded Veggie Variation: Add sliced bell peppers, spinach, onions, olives, or mushrooms to the sandwiches before air frying. If you prefer a softer veggie texture, sauté the veggies first with a little olive oil and Italian seasoning.
Pesto Tomato Variation: Swap the marinara sauce for pesto and add fresh tomato slices for a salty, herby flavor.
Garlic & Herb Variation: Brush the rolls with melted butter and sprinkle with garlic powder, oregano, and dried basil before adding the meatballs and cheese.
Quadruple Cheese Variation: In addition to mozzarella and Parmesan, add provolone and gorgonzola for an ultra cheesy sandwich!

Storage:

Leftover subs can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days. To prevent them from getting soggy, wrap each sandwich in aluminum foil.

To reheat, place the sandwiches back in the air fryer for 2-5 minutes until they’re heated through and crispy.

Freezing is not recommended for this recipe.

Air Fryer Meatball Subs
Packed with hearty meatballs, marinara, and cheese, these Air Fryer Meatball Subs are a quick 15-minute meal that will quickly become a weeknight favorite!

Rating: 5 from 3 votes
Course: Main Dishes
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 49 kcal
Author: Lana Stuart

Ingredients:

4 hoagie or sub rolls
16 cooked meatballs (homemade or frozen; thaw if frozen)
1 cup marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought)
1 cup Parmesan and Mozzarella cheese mix

Instructions:

Preheat the air fryer to 350°F for 5 minutes while you assemble the subs.
Place 4 meatballs on each roll.
Top with 1/4 cup marinara sauce and 1/4 cup shredded cheese.
Depending on your air fryer size, place one or two sandwiches in the air fryer basket.
Air fry for 3-5 minutes or until the cheese is melted and begins to crisp.
Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes:

If using frozen meatballs, cook them in the air fryer for 9-11 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. For leftover meatballs, warm them for 2-3 minutes.
For a crispier sandwich, brush the outside of the rolls with olive oil or melted butter before cooking.
To avoid soggy sandwiches, you can pre-toast the bread and use less marinara sauce. Alternatively, serve the sauce on the side for dipping.