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A platter of savory meat ball appetizers with a garnish.

Classic BBQ Meatball Appetizers

These Classic BBQ Meatball Appetizers are quick to prepare and perfect for any gathering. Tender meatballs are coated in your favorite BBQ sauce, making for a crowd-pleasing snack.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 8 people
Calories 280 kcal

Equipment

  • Large bowl
  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment paper
  • Slow cooker (optional)
  • Saucepan (optional)
  • Toothpicks

Ingredients
  

Meatballs

  • 1 lb ground meat (beef, pork, turkey, or a mix)
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (plain or panko)
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup milk or water
  • 1 tsp dried oregano (or Italian seasoning)
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • Red pepper flakes optional, to taste

Sauce

  • 1 bottle BBQ sauce your favorite brand

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • In a large bowl, gently mix ground meat with breadcrumbs, onion, egg, garlic, milk, oregano, salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes, being careful not to overmix.
  • Roll the mixture into small, bite-sized meatballs, about 1-inch in diameter, yielding approximately 30-40 meatballs from one pound of meat.

Cooking

  • Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and arrange meatballs on a parchment-lined baking sheet to bake for 15-20 minutes, or until cooked through and lightly browned.
  • After cooking, toss the meatballs with your preferred BBQ sauce until they are fully coated.
  • Heat the coated meatballs in a slow cooker on low for 1-2 hours or simmer gently in a saucepan for 15-20 minutes until heated through.

Serving

  • Serve the appetizers warm with toothpicks for easy handling.

Notes

For a healthier option, use lean ground turkey or chicken. You can also prepare the meatballs ahead of time and freeze them before cooking. Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to your preferred spice level.