While there are a lot of foods I make from scratch, you canโt deny the convenience of frozen options when youโre in a hurry. However, you donโt need to sacrifice flavor thanks to this Trader Joeโs kibbeh air fryer recipe!
This Middle Eastern favorite just got even easier with some help from TJโs and your air fryer.

Why Youโll Love This Recipe
Kibbeh is a Middle Eastern dish that basically resembles a meatball thatโs coated in breading and fried. There are many different variations in both the meat and seasonings, but theyโre always delicious!
The Trader Joeโs version features ground beef, onions, and seasonings wrapped in a bulgur wheat, meat, and farina mixture.
Instead of needing to deep fry them, though, your air fryer does a great job of getting these frozen kibbeh nice and crisp without needing to add any additional oil!

Kibbeh may be served as an appetizer or snack, or even paired with other sides as part of a whole meal.
Try them for brunch alongside the Middle Eastern flavors of my Microwave Shakshuka.
What Youโll Need

- 11-ounce box Trader Joeโs frozen kibbeh
- Sauces or sides as desired (optional)
Ingredient Notes
- While this recipe is for Trader Joeโs frozen kibbeh, the same steps will work for other brands as well. Check out other brands such as Mid East, California Garden, or Afia!
- Kibbeh is delicious on its own, but if youโd like a sauce, my recommendation is some Lebanese garlic sauce or something similar, as it complements the flavors well
How to Cook Trader Joeโs Frozen Kibbeh in the Air Fryer
- Preheat your air fryer to 400ยฐF
- Remove the frozen kibbeh from all exterior packaging and place them into the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer

- Cook on the air fry setting for 10-12 minutes at 400ยฐF, pausing halfway to shake the basket
- Kibbeh is done when the exterior is lightly browned and the interior reaches 165ยฐF
- Serve alone or with your favorite sauce for dipping!

What to Serve With Kibbeh
- Tahini sauce
- Garlic sauce
- Tzatziki sauceย
- Yogurt
- Chickpeas
- Lentils
- Tabbouleh
- Green salad
- Stuffed grape leaves
- Cucumber salad
- Rice pilaf
- Pita bread
- Mint
- Dill
- Lemon
Try your Trader Joeโs air fryer kibbeh with a side of my crispy Air Fryer Chickpeas, or my easy homemade Air Fryer Pita Bread.
Recipe FAQs
How Long Does it Take to Cook Trader Joeโs Kibbeh in an Air Fryer?
It takes between 10 and 18 minutes to cook Trader Joeโs kibbeh in an air fryer. While that seems like a large range, it varies widely based on the temperature you cook it at.
Cooking kibbeh at 400ยฐF will be done in 10-12 minutes, whereas cooking at a temperature of 360ยฐF will produce a very slightly more browned kibbeh, but will take about 18 minutes on average.
Can I Make Homemade Kibbeh and Use the Same Air Fryer Cooking Method?
Yes, you can make homemade kibbeh and cook it in the air fryer. Since youโd be working with raw meat, cooking time will average around 20 minutes.
You will likely need to spritz the outside with some oil as well, as homemade wonโt come with it already added into the dough.
What Are the Benefits of Cooking Kibbeh in an Air Fryer?
The benefits of cooking kibbeh in an air fryer are that it requires less oil than deep frying, heats your home up less than a conventional oven, and produces a crispier texture than the microwave.
Thatโs not to say that other methods arenโt perfectly viable as well, but the air fryer gives the best of all worlds.
Recipe Pro Tips
- You do not need to add any oil before cooking, as TJโs puts sunflower oil right in the breading
- My kibbeh were perfect after 11 minutes at 400ยฐF in a Ninja Dual Zone air fryer, confirmed via an instant read thermometer. Other air fryers may vary slightly
- I was concerned that they could be dry (they werenโt), so I cooked another batch at 360ยฐF for 18 minutes. This combination also worked perfectly, and I noticed no discernable difference in texture or browning level between the two cooking methods. So, I opted for the shorter time option. However, know that this alternative is great as well if needed!

Storage and Reheating
- Store leftover Trader Joeโs kibbeh in an airtight container in the fridge. Consume within 3-4 days. Do not refreeze after cooking
- To reheat kibbeh in the air fryer, cook for 6-8 minutes at 350ยฐF, or until internal temperature reaches 165ยฐF for food safety. They are pretty dense, which is why they take a bit longer than other foods!
More Trader Joeโs Frozen Foods to Make in Your Air Fryer
- Trader Joeโs Latkes Potato Pancakes
- Brazilian Cheese Bread in the Air Fryer
- Trader Joeโs Air Fryer Orange Chicken
- Chicken Taquitos in the Air Fryer
- Trader Joeโs Mini Vegetable Samosas
- Air Fryer Trader Joeโs Chicken Nuggets
Final Thoughts
Trader Joeโs kibbeh in the air fryer comes out crispy on the outside while staying tender and delicious inside. This cooking method requires little attention, and far less oil than deep frying!
Serve kibbeh as a snack or appetizer, or pair with other dishes as part of your ultimate Middle Eastern feast! Theyโre delicious on their own, but also great served with a variety of dipping sauces or even in a pita like a falafel!
While they do take a bit to cook simply because theyโre so dense, the wait is worth it for the tender seasoned ground beef, onions, and savory spices that make up these โmeatballsโ!

Trader Joeโs Kibbeh Air Fryer Instructions
Equipment
Ingredientsย ย
- 11 Ounce box Trader Joe's frozen kibbeh (contains 6 individual kibbeh)
Instructionsย
- Preheat your air fryer to 400ยฐF
- Remove the frozen kibbeh from all exterior packaging and place them into the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer11 Ounce box Trader Joe's frozen kibbeh
- Cook on the air fry setting for 10-12 minutes at 400ยฐF, pausing halfway to shake the basket
- Kibbeh is done when the exterior is lightly browned and the interior reaches 165ยฐF
- Serve alone or with your favorite sauce for dipping!
Notes
- While this recipe is for Trader Joeโs frozen kibbeh, the same steps will work for other brands as well. Check out other brands such as Mid East, California Garden, or Afia!
- Kibbeh is delicious on its own, but if youโd like a sauce, my recommendation is some Lebanese garlic sauce or something similar, as it complements the flavors well
- You do not need to add any oil before cooking, as TJโs puts sunflower oil right in the breading
- My kibbeh were perfect after 11 minutes at 400ยฐF in a Ninja Dual Zone air fryer, confirmed via an instant read thermometer. Other air fryers may vary slightly
- I was concerned that they could be dry (they werenโt), so I cooked another batch at 360ยฐF for 18 minutes. This combination also worked perfectly, and I noticed no discernable difference in texture between the two cooking methods. So, I opted for the shorter time option. However, know that this alternative is great as well if needed!
- Store leftover Trader Joeโs kibbeh in an airtight container in the fridge. Consume within 3-4 days. Do not refreeze after cooking
- To reheat kibbeh in the air fryer, cook for 6-8 minutes at 360ยฐF, or until internal temperature reaches 165ยฐF for food safety since it contains ground beef
- Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand of kibbeh, any sauces or sides added, and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
Nutrition

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