Need a savory way to start your next party? These appetizer meatballs are just the recipes you need to keep guests full and happy.
32 Meatball Appetizers to Get the Party Rolling
Updated on May 07, 2024
Party Appetizer Meatballs
These are a favorite at parties and gatherings. The recipe is easy, and the meatballs can be made well ahead of time and frozen until needed. I think what makes them taste so good is the sauce. —Nathalie Guest, Caledon, Ontario
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Pineapple Appetizer Meatballs
Total Time
30 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Karen Mellinger Baker of Dover, Ohio blends a can of crushed pineapple into her meatballs to create a taste-tempting treat. Best of all, the sweet and tangy glaze that coats this big batch of bite-sized snacks is a snap to prepare.
Nutrition Facts:
1 meatball: 66 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 19mg cholesterol, 136mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 0 fiber), 3g protein.
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Teriyaki Meatballs
Total Time
40 min
Servings
3-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
This appetizer of teriyaki pineapple meatballs changed so many times due to my family’s suggestions that it eventually became a main course. I think the homemade sauce sets these meatballs apart. —Evette Nowicki, Oak Harbor, Washington
Nutrition Facts:
1 meatball: 55 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 9mg cholesterol, 119mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 0 fiber), 3g protein.
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Meatballs with Chimichurri Sauce
Total Time
30 min
Servings
about 20 (2/3 cup sauce)
From the Recipe Creator:
This South American condiment, featuring fresh cilantro and parsley, is more than just a sauce for tossing with meatballs. You’ll want plenty for extra dipping. —Amy Chase, Vanderhoof, British Columbia
Nutrition Facts:
1 meatball with about 2 teaspoons sauce: 130 calories, 12g fat (4g saturated fat), 17mg cholesterol, 318mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 4g protein.
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Cranberry Sauce Meatballs
Total Time
30 min
Servings
about 5 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Using packaged meatballs helps save time in the kitchen and they are just as tasty as homemade. My friends look forward to enjoying these meatballs at our holiday gatherings and there are no leftovers! The sauce is tangy yet sweet, and the festive color is perfect for any party. —Amy Scamerhorn, Indianapolis, Indiana
Nutrition Facts:
1 meatball: 74 calories, 4g fat (2g saturated fat), 6mg cholesterol, 191mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein.
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Orange-Glazed Meatballs
Total Time
30 min
Servings
20 meatballs
From the Recipe Creator:
I love the sweet orange marmalade paired with the zip of a jalapeno in this sweet-sour glaze. —Bonnie Stallings, Martinsburg, West Virginia
Nutrition Facts:
1 meatball: 125 calories, 6g fat (3g saturated fat), 17mg cholesterol, 208mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.
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Bola-Bola
Total Time
30 min
Servings
3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Bola-bola (Filipino-style meatballs) can be served as an appetizer or stirred into soup. Some versions of this recipe roll the meatballs in flour or bread crumbs before frying for a crisp coating. Serve plain or with a dipping sauce. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
Nutrition Facts:
1 meatball: 49 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 14mg cholesterol, 64mg sodium, 1g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 3g protein.
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Barbecue Meatballs
Total Time
50 min
Servings
about 4 dozen
Nutrition Facts:
8 each: 474 calories, 18g fat (7g saturated fat), 119mg cholesterol, 973mg sodium, 51g carbohydrate (35g sugars, 2g fiber), 28g protein.
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Cocktail Meatballs
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
about 3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These beefy meatballs are a perennial favorite at our holiday parties. You won't believe how easy these holiday appetizers are to make. —Pat Waymire, Yellow Springs, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
2 each: 84 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 29mg cholesterol, 245mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 0 fiber), 6g protein.
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Christmas Meatballs
Total Time
30 min
Servings
about 3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Cranberry sauce and brown sugar create a tangy glaze for moist meatballs that are good Christmas appetizers or Christmas dinner ideas. We love them so much, I prepare them year-round. —Joyce Bentley, Redlands, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 meatball: 71 calories, 2g fat (1g saturated fat), 22mg cholesterol, 190mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 0 fiber), 4g protein.
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Cranberry Sauerkraut Meatballs
Total Time
4 hours 15 min
Servings
about 5 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I tried these meatballs at a birthday party for a friend, and now I make them all the time. They are super easy to make and perfect for a potluck or a Sunday afternoon football game. —Lisa Castelli, Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 meatball with about 1 tablespoon sauce: 76 calories, 4g fat (2g saturated fat), 6mg cholesterol, 250mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein.
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Bourbon Meatballs
Total Time
30 min
Servings
about 3-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Kick-start your meatballs with a splash of bourbon and vinegar for punchy sweet-and-sour flavor. These Kentucky Derby bourbon meatballs are perfect to snack on while you watch the race. —Kimla Carsten, Grand Junction, Colorado
Nutrition Facts:
1 meatball: 95 calories, 6g fat (3g saturated fat), 16mg cholesterol, 192mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 0 fiber), 4g protein.
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Ham Balls with Brown Sugar Glaze
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
about 6 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These smoky-sweet meatballs are a Pennsylvania Dutch specialty. I like setting them out when folks come to visit. —Janet Zeger, Middletown, Pennsylvania
Nutrition Facts:
1 meatball: 52 calories, 2g fat (1g saturated fat), 11mg cholesterol, 113mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 0 fiber), 3g protein.
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Sweet ‘n’ Spicy Meatballs
Total Time
40 min
Servings
about 4 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
You’ll usually find a batch of these meatballs in my freezer. The slightly sweet sauce nicely complements the spicy pork sausage. —Genie Brown, Roanoke, Virginia
Nutrition Facts:
1 meatball: 70 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 14mg cholesterol, 200mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein.
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Chinese Meatballs
Total Time
3 hours 35 min
Servings
6 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These were a huge hit at a cookout I attended recently! You can use two tablespoons of chopped crystallized ginger in place of the fresh ginger if you like. —Pat Barnes, Panama City, Florida
Nutrition Facts:
1 meatball: 41 calories, 2g fat (1g saturated fat), 12mg cholesterol, 109mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 0 fiber), 3g protein.
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Baked Chicken Meatballs
Total Time
40 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My family loves these chicken meatballs, so they’re on the menu often. They’re wonderful as an appetizer or when we’re watching the game, but I love to turn them into easy dinner options as well. —Haley Herridge, Columbus, Indiana
Nutrition Facts:
5 meatballs: 326 calories, 20g fat (6g saturated fat), 129mg cholesterol, 647mg sodium, 11g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 25g protein.
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Buffet Meatballs
Total Time
4 hours 10 min
Servings
about 10-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I need only five ingredients to fix these easy appetizers. My grape jelly and ketchup meatballs make an appearance at almost every potluck and party. —Janet Anderson, Carson City, Nevada
Nutrition Facts:
1 meatball: 147 calories, 9g fat (4g saturated fat), 20mg cholesterol, 411mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 1g fiber), 7g protein.
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Passover Meatballs
Total Time
1 hour 20 min
Servings
6 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These moist and slightly sweet Passover meatballs are popular with family and friends during the spring holiday season. They’re bound to become a tradition at your house.—Julie Sollinger, Chicago, Illinois
Nutrition Facts:
1 meatball: 41 calories, 2g fat (1g saturated fat), 13mg cholesterol, 56mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 0 fiber), 3g protein.
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Quick and Simple Meatballs
Total Time
35 min
Servings
48 meatballs
From the Recipe Creator:
Keep a batch of these meatballs in your freezer for an easy weeknight meal. This simple meatball recipe can be used for pizzas, sub sandwiches, in soups and more. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
3 meatballs: 276 calories, 17g fat (7g saturated fat), 122mg cholesterol, 533mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 24g protein.
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Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
Total Time
35 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I like to dunk these appetizer meatballs in blue cheese or ranch salad dressing. If I make them for a meal, I often skip the dressing and serve with blue cheese polenta on the side. —Amber Massey, Argyle, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
1 meatball: 33 calories, 1g fat (0 saturated fat), 14mg cholesterol, 338mg sodium, 1g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 4g protein.
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Fig and Goat Cheese Meatballs
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Around the holidays, saucy cocktail meatballs are always the first appetizer to go. In this dish, the sweet flavor of the fig glaze goes perfectly with the pork and tangy goat cheese. Serve the meatballs hot from the skillet or freeze and gently reheat. —Kim Banick, Turner, Oregon
Nutrition Facts:
1 meatball: 97 calories, 6g fat (2g saturated fat), 26mg cholesterol, 175mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 0 fiber), 4g protein.
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Potluck Enchilada Meatballs
Total Time
4 hours
Servings
6 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
This is a twist on the ordinary potluck meatballs. These are easy, inexpensive and a hit for any occasion. —Terina, Lewis, Decatur, Illinois
Nutrition Facts:
1 meatball: 68 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 20mg cholesterol, 227mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 0 fiber), 4g protein.
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Game-Day Thai Chicken Meatballs
Total Time
20 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These Thai chicken meatballs make a great game-day snack. We also like to serve them as a main dish over stir-fried veggies. —Merry Graham, Newhall, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 meatball: 98 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 43mg cholesterol, 369mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 0 fiber), 9g protein.
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Chili and Jelly Meatballs
Total Time
30 min
Servings
about 3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
The secret ingredient in this sassy sauce is the grape jelly. It’s a sweet contrast with the chili sauce. —Irma Schnuelle, Manitowoc, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 meatball: 106 calories, 6g fat (3g saturated fat), 17mg cholesterol, 313mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 0 fiber), 4g protein.
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Hoisin Meatball Lettuce Wraps
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I make these tangy-sweet appetizers every year during the holidays, and it doesn't take long for them to disappear.—Elaine Sweet, Dallas, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
1 appetizer: 69 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 21mg cholesterol, 99mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 0 fiber), 4g protein.
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Marmalade Meatballs
Total Time
4 hours 10 min
Servings
about 5 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
We had a potluck at work, so I started cooking these meatballs in the morning. By lunchtime they were ready. They were a big hit! —Jeanne Kiss, Greensburg, Pennsylvania
Nutrition Facts:
1 meatball: 73 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 12mg cholesterol, 126mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein.
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Meatballs in Honey Buffalo Sauce
Total Time
2 hours 45 min
Servings
about 2-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
My family loves the sweet and spicy combination and declared this recipe an instant favorite just for that reason. The meatballs start sweet but finish with a little heat! —Anne Ormond, Dover, New Hampshire
Nutrition Facts:
3 meatballs with 2 tablespoons sauce: 258 calories, 10g fat (3g saturated fat), 81mg cholesterol, 459mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (26g sugars, 0 fiber), 14g protein.
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Keto Air-Fryer Meatballs
Total Time
40 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I have been following a keto diet for a year and a half and have lost 130 pounds. With this recipe for tasty air-fried keto meatballs, you won't miss the bread crumbs at all! I like to eat these saucy meatballs on their own, but they're also great over zucchini noodles. —Holly Balzer-Harz, Malone, New York
Nutrition Facts:
4 meatballs with 1/3 cup sauce: 404 calories, 27g fat (13g saturated fat), 162mg cholesterol, 799mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 31g protein.
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Lamb Meatballs
Total Time
35 min
Servings
12 meatballs
From the Recipe Creator:
These lamb meatballs are full of herbs, spices and seasonings like paprika, coriander, cumin and parsley to complement the flavor of the ground lamb. Serve with pita bread or a quinoa tabbouleh salad. —Julie Andrews, Rockford, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
1 meatball: 89 calories, 6g fat (2g saturated fat), 40mg cholesterol, 229mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 7g protein.
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Instant Pot Meatballs
Total Time
30 min
Servings
24 meatballs
Nutrition Facts:
1 meatball: 104 calories, 6g fat (2g saturated fat), 33mg cholesterol, 236mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 8g protein.
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Korean Meatballs
Total Time
45 min
Servings
12 meatballs
Nutrition Facts:
3 meatballs: 296 calories, 14g fat (5g saturated fat), 70mg cholesterol, 1020mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 1g fiber), 23g protein.
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Air-Fryer Meatballs
Total Time
30 min
Servings
24 meatballs
Nutrition Facts:
1 meatball: 150 calories, 9g fat (4g saturated fat), 63mg cholesterol, 405mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 13g protein.
