This Easy Meatball Subs recipe is made with only 5 ingredients and can be cooked in the air fryer for a quick and easy dinner or lunch!

Meatball subs are one of those easy meals that are just as filling as they are delicious! Not to mention, it’s perfect if you’re craving something Italian-inspired but you don’t want pizza or pasta. It has also been a hit with my kids and my oldest even said that this was ‘the best recipe ever’! While he may change his mind next week, I’m pretty sure that this is one of those recipes that you’ll want to add to your mealtime rotation.

This is also one of my signature 5 ingredients or less recipes, but feel free to spice it up and add in any extra toppings or fixings that your family likes!

This recipe also relies on the air fryer to cook the meatballs. Using an air fryer allows for a hands-free approach making it perfect for busy moms like me.

So without further ado, keep reading to grab the full recipe and assembly instructions.

Here’s what you need to make these Easy Meatball Subs:

• Premade Meatballs
• Hotdog Buns
• Mozerella
• Marinara
• Butter
• Parsley (optional)

These meatball subs are the perfect easy weeknight meal and they reheat beautifully for a quick lunch the next day. The meatballs are primarily cooked in the air fryer and finished off in the oven.

We used pork meatballs for this recipe, but you are welcome to use any type of meatballs you’d like, even plant-based meatballs would be delicious in this recipe!

How To Assemble Your Meatball Subs:

Once you have all of your ingredients, put your meatballs in your air fryer and cook at 375 degrees for 15-18mins or until the inside is 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

PRO TIP: be sure to flip your meatballs halfway through cooking to ensure an even golden brown color.

While your meatballs are cooking, line a baking sheet with foil and add your hotdog buns. Next, brush the insides and tops of them with melted butter. By brushing with butter, you ensure that your hotdog buns aren’t dry and can absorb some of the flavors from the meatballs, marinara, and mozzarella. This also helps ensure that they don’t become soggy from the marinara sauce!

Once the meatballs are done, place 2-3 (depending on the size), into your hotdog buns, making sure they are tucked down inside of the hotdog bun while not splitting the bottoms of them.

Next, top your meatballs with the marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese.

Set your oven to broil and let your meatball subs broil in the oven for 2-3 minutes or until the cheese is melted. Be sure to keep a close eye while they are broiling to prevent your subs from burning.

Once done, remove your meatball subs from the oven and sprinkle them with parsley for a final touch!

Storage and Substitutions:

How do I store meatball subs?

To store meatball subs, place them in an airtight container & store them in the fridge for 2-3 days. I highly recommend using a glass container if possible, but no matter what container you use, make sure that it’s air-tight! You can also wrap each sub individually in foil and place them in a container in the fridge for 2-3 days.

How do I reheat meatball subs?

These meatball subs reheat extremely well and make for a yummy lunch the next day!

Simply preheat your oven to 350 and place them on a foil-lined baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes. You could also wrap each meatball sub in foil and bake. Just remember to open the tops of the foil halfway through the cooking process so that your bread doesn’t become soggy. You could also reheat these in the microwave! On a microwave-safe plate, heat 1 sub for 1:30 sec or up to 2 minutes.

Can I substitute different meatballs for this recipe?

You can totally substitute different meatballs for your meatball subs. Frozen meatballs work wonderfully and can still be made in the air fryer. Just air fry them at 375 for 10-12 minutes, flipping them halfway through. You can also use plant-based meatballs, simply cook according to package instructions and build your sub according to this recipe!

Can I substitute a different type of bread for this recipe?

Absolutely! Instead of hotdog buns, you can use hoagie buns, Italian bread, or even pita bread! Meatball subs are so versatile that you could ultimately use any type of bread that you like but those are my top choices!

Be sure to scroll to the bottom to grab the exact measurements so that you can try these delicious meatball subs for yourself and stay tuned for more easy recipes!

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