Firecracker Meatballs are a great choice to celebrate National Meatball Day on March 9th! These meatballs will explore your mouth with a blend of spices, a hint of sweetness, and a fiery kick.
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Firecracker meatballs recipe
Firecracker Meatballs are a flavorful, Asian-inspired dish with a spicy, sweet, and savory profile. These meatballs are made from ground meat, garlic and ginger, soy sauce, brown sugar, and a generous pinch of red pepper flakes.
But the most important feature of this dish is the sauce. A sticky, glossy glaze made from a magical melding of soy sauce, honey, sriracha, and a splash of rice vinegar. It’s sweet, spicy, tangy, and utterly addictive. Each bite of these meatballs is a flavor explosion that leaves you craving more.
You can serve these meatballs as an appetizer with sauce or add them to a flavorful soup with vegetables and noodles. For a main course, pair the meatballs with rice options like jasmine, coconut, brown, or forbidden black rice.
The dish goes well with stir-fried vegetables, a crisp salad, or noodles like spaghetti, udon, or rice noodles. You can also make sandwiches, wraps, or lettuce cups for a lighter option.
The dish is suitable for family meals, game day snacks, or potluck contributions. So here’s how to make Firecracker Meatballs:
Firecracker Meatballs
Nutrition
Ingredients
For meatballs
- 1 lb ground meat beef, pork, chicken, turkey or a combination
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 small onion finely chopped
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the sauce
- 1/4 cup sweet chili sauce
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp sriracha sauce adjust to taste
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground meat, breadcrumbs, minced garlic, chopped onion, paprika, cayenne pepper, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Use your hands to mix everything together until well combined.
- Shape the meat mixture into bite-sized meatballs and place them evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, and sriracha sauce until smooth.
- Brush or spoon the sauce over each meatball, ensuring they are evenly coated.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
- Put the meatballs on the baking sheet and transfer it to the preheated oven and bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through and caramelized, with an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).
- Once done, remove the meatballs from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving.
Notes
SIMILAR RECIPES:
Method Variations
Oven-baking helps you achieve perfectly cooked firecracker meatballs. However, you can apply other cooking methods to make these meatballs.
- Air Fryer Method yields crispy exteriors and juicy interiors while using minimal oil.
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for about 3-5 minutes.
- Place the shaped meatballs in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded to allow for even cooking.
- Cook the meatballs in the air fryer for 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure they cook evenly.
- Once the meatballs are cooked through and nicely browned, remove them from the air fryer. Serve the meatballs with the remaining sauce for dipping or drizzle the sauce over the cooked meatballs before serving.
- Crockpot (Slow Cooker) Method
- Place the shaped meatballs in the bottom of your crockpot. Pour the sauce evenly over the meatballs.
- Cover the crockpot with its lid and cook on low for 4-5 hours or on high for 2-3 hours, until the meatballs are cooked through and tender.
- Once done, you can keep the crockpot on the “warm” setting until ready to serve.
- Pan-frying imparts a delectable crispy exterior while maintaining a succulent interior. Try these tips below:
- Rotate meatballs frequently for uniform browning
- Use a heavy-bottomed skillet for even heat distribution
- Maintain medium-high heat to achieve the perfect sear
- Cook in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan
- Grilling firecracker meatballs add a delightful smoky nuance. This method shines during outdoor gatherings and barbecues.
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat
- Oil grates to prevent sticking
- Grill meatballs for 8-10 minutes, turning every 2-3 minutes
- Brush with glaze during the last 2 minutes of cooking