Name: Firecracker Meatballs Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef; ¼ cup bread crumbs; ¼ cup milk; 2 tbsp garlic, minced; ¼ cup scallions, thinly sliced (white parts); 1 tsp salt; ½ tsp red pepper flakes; 2 tbsp vegetable oil; ¼ cup sour cream; ¼ cup mayonnaise; 2 tbsp buffalo hot sauce; 2 tbsp rice vinegar; 2 tbsp soy sauce; 1 tbsp honey; Chopped scallions (green parts); Sesame seeds (optional)

Description

These Firecracker Meatballs are a spicy and flavorful appetizer or main dish featuring tender baked ground beef meatballs coated with a tangy buffalo-inspired sauce. Perfectly balanced with garlic, red pepper flakes, and a creamy, zesty sauce, they are quick to prepare and delicious served over rice or as a party snack.

Ingredients

Meatballs

1 lb ground beef
¼ cup bread crumbs
¼ cup milk
2 tbsp garlic, minced
¼ cup scallions, thinly sliced (white parts)
1 tsp salt
½ tsp red pepper flakes
2 tbsp vegetable oil

Sauce

¼ cup sour cream
¼ cup mayonnaise
2 tbsp buffalo hot sauce
2 tbsp rice vinegar
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp honey

Garnish

Chopped scallions (green parts)
Sesame seeds (optional)

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Instructions

Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to prepare for baking the meatballs.
Prepare meatball mixture: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, bread crumbs, milk, minced garlic, white parts of the scallions, salt, and red pepper flakes. Mix well until combined evenly.
Form and bake meatballs: Shape the mixture into 1 ½ inch meatballs and place them evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet. Brush each meatball with vegetable oil to help them brown while baking. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes until cooked through and browned.
Make the sauce: While the meatballs bake, whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, buffalo hot sauce, rice vinegar, soy sauce, and honey in a medium bowl until smooth and well combined.
Serve: Remove the meatballs from the oven and arrange them on a serving plate or over cooked rice. Drizzle the prepared sauce generously over the meatballs and garnish with chopped green scallion parts and sesame seeds if desired.

Notes

You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for beef to reduce fat content.
If you prefer less heat, reduce the red pepper flakes and buffalo sauce.
Bread crumbs help keep the meatballs tender; use gluten-free crumbs to make this recipe gluten-free.
Serve these meatballs as an appetizer, snack, or main dish with steamed rice or a side salad.
Leftover meatballs can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently in the oven or microwave.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Appetizer
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American