Appetizers | Chicken | Recipes
Firecracker Meatballs
Firecracker Meatballs are juicy, tender chicken meatballs baked to perfection and coated in a fiery, sweet, and tangy sauce that packs a bold punch of flavor. Made with a perfect blend of garlic, green onions, and seasonings, these meatballs are elevated by a signature firecracker sauce crafted from hot sauce, honey, sriracha, and a hint of brown sugar.
Perfect as a crowd-pleasing Cocktail meatball, appetizer, or served over rice for a spicy main course, these meatballs are as versatile as they are delicious. If you’re hosting game day, a party, or just craving something bold, these Firecracker Meatballs will light up your taste buds and steal the spotlight! Garnish with fresh green onions for a pop of color and extra flavor, and watch them disappear in no time.
If you’re a fan of Cocktail meatballs, try other crowd-pleasing options like The classic Authentic Italian Meatballs, Sweet and Sour Meatballs coated in a tangy glaze, or Buffalo Chicken Meatballs in a buffalo sauce. For a unique twist, try Teriyaki Meatballs with an Asian-inspired flair or Mozzarella-Stuffed Meatballs for a gooey surprise!
Firecracker Meatballs Ingredients
For the meatballs:
- 2 lbs ground chicken
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 green onions, finely chopped (plus extra for garnish)
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 large eggs
- 1 ½ tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
For the firecracker sauce:
- ½ cup Frank’s Red Hot Sauce
- 3 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp sriracha
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp rice wine vinegar
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 3 tbsp brown sugar
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for extra heat)
Firecracker Meatballs Recipe
For the meatballs:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken, minced garlic, green onions, panko breadcrumbs, eggs, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently with your hands until just combined. Do not overmix, as this can make the meatballs tough.
- Form the mixture into 1½-inch meatballs (about golf ball-sized) and place them on the prepared baking sheet. You should end up with approximately 30-35 meatballs.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the meatballs are golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F).
For the firecracker sauce:
- While the meatballs are baking, make the sauce. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the hot sauce, honey, sriracha, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, minced garlic, ground ginger, brown sugar, and red pepper flakes.
- Bring the sauce to a simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves and the sauce thickens slightly (about 5-7 minutes).
- Taste the sauce and adjust the sweetness or heat level to your preference by adding more honey or sriracha.
Assemble/Serve:
- Once the meatballs are done baking, carefully transfer them to a large mixing bowl.
- Pour the prepared firecracker sauce over the meatballs and gently toss until all the meatballs are evenly coated in the sauce.
- Transfer the coated meatballs to a serving platter. Sprinkle with extra chopped green onions for garnish, insert a toothpick into each Firecracker Meatball, and serve warm. Enjoy!
Tips & Tricks
- Use Cold Ground Chicken: Chilled chicken is easier to handle and helps the meatballs hold their shape.
- Don’t Overmix: Gently mix the ingredients to avoid dense, tough meatballs.
- Uniform Sizing: Use a cookie scoop to ensure evenly sized meatballs for consistent cooking.
- Line Your Baking Sheet: Parchment paper prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
- Adjust the Heat: Customize the spice level of the sauce by adding more honey for sweetness or extra sriracha for a fiery kick.
- Make Ahead: Prepare the meatballs and sauce ahead of time, then combine and warm just before serving.
- Serve with Dipping Options: Offer ranch or blue cheese dressing as a cooling dip for guests who prefer milder flavors.
FAQs about firecracker meatballs
Firecracker Meatballs
Yield:
30
Prep Time:
20 minutes
Cook Time:
25 minutes
Total Time:
45 minutes
Firecracker Meatballs are juicy, tender chicken meatballs baked to perfection and coated in a fiery, sweet, and tangy sauce that packs a bold punch of flavor.
Ingredients
For the meatballs:
- 2 lbs ground chicken
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 green onions, finely chopped (plus extra for garnish)
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 large eggs
- 1 ½ tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
For the firecracker sauce:
- ½ cup Frank's Red Hot Sauce
- 3 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp sriracha
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp rice wine vinegar
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 3 tbsp brown sugar
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for extra heat)
Instructions
For the meatballs:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken, minced garlic, green onions, panko breadcrumbs, eggs, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently with your hands until just combined. Do not overmix, as this can make the meatballs tough.
- Form the mixture into 1½-inch meatballs (about golf ball-sized) and place them on the prepared baking sheet. You should end up with approximately 30-35 meatballs.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the meatballs are golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F).
For the firecracker sauce:
- While the meatballs are baking, make the sauce. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the hot sauce, honey, sriracha, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, minced garlic, ground ginger, brown sugar, and red pepper flakes.
- Bring the sauce to a simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves and the sauce thickens slightly (about 5-7 minutes).
- Taste the sauce and adjust the sweetness or heat level to your preference by adding more honey or sriracha.
Assemble/Serve:
- Once the meatballs are done baking, carefully transfer them to a large mixing bowl.
- Pour the prepared firecracker sauce over the meatballs and gently toss until all the meatballs are evenly coated in the sauce.
- Transfer the coated meatballs to a serving platter. Sprinkle with extra chopped green onions for garnish, insert a toothpick into each Firecracker Meatball, and serve warm. Enjoy!
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 10 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 274Total Fat: 12gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 134mgSodium: 1044mgCarbohydrates: 19gFiber: 1gSugar: 10gProtein: 25g
