Description
If you’re on the hunt for a crowd-pleasing appetizer that’s both festive and effortless, these Easy Mini Meatball Skewers are a must-try.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20 or beef-pork blend)
- 1/3 cup breadcrumbs (plain or Italian-style)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped (or 1 tsp dried)
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 cup whole berry cranberry sauce
- 1/4 cup barbecue sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- Salt to taste
- Fresh rosemary or parsley for garnish
- 20–24 cocktail skewers or toothpicks
Instructions
- Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, milk, minced garlic, onion powder, salt, black pepper, parsley, and those optional red pepper flakes if you like a bit of heat. Gently mix the ingredients until just combined—be careful not to overmix.
- Using a scoop or your hands, take small amounts of the mixture and roll them into 1 to 1.5-inch balls.
- Place the baking sheet into your preheated oven and let the meatballs cook for about 15-18 minutes.
- In a medium saucepan, combine the whole berry cranberry sauce, barbecue sauce, honey or maple syrup, Dijon mustard, and apple cider vinegar.
- Add the baked meatballs to the saucepan with the glaze, tossing them gently to ensure they are well-coated.
- Take the cocktail skewers or toothpicks and insert them into each meatball, arranging them on a platter.
Notes
These meatballs can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for several days, making them perfect for meal prep.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
Nutrition
- Calories: 95 kcal
- Sodium: 160 mg
- Protein: 6 g