30 Meatball Appetizers to Get the Party Rolling
Updated: Sep. 28, 2022
Need a savory way to start your next party? These appetizer meatballs are just the recipes you need to keep guests full and happy.
1
/
30
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
2
/
30
Pineapple Appetizer Meatballs
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.
3
/
30
Teriyaki Meatballs
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
4
/
30
Slow-Cooker Meatballs
This idea came to me while sitting on the back porch. The combination of meats and ingredients in the sauce produce slow-cooker meatballs unlike any I’ve ever had. —Justin Boudreaux, Walker, Louisiana
5
/
30
Meatballs with Chimichurri Sauce
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
6
/
30
Cranberry Sauce Meatballs
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
7
/
30
Orange-Glazed Meatballs
I love the sweet orange marmalade paired with the zip of a jalapeno in this sweet-sour glaze. —Bonnie Stallings, Martinsburg, West Virginia
8
/
30
Bola-Bola
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 of Home Test Kitchen
9
/
30
Barbecue and Beer Meatballs
This simple meatball recipe relies on timesaving ingredients like frozen meatballs and barbecue sauce. It’s the perfect last-minute appetizer! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
10
/
30
Simple Swedish Meatballs
When my husband packs these saucy slow-cooked meatballs in his lunch, all his work buddies wish they had their own! It’s comfort food at its easiest. — Christina Logan, Gun Barrel City, Texas
11
/
30
Italian Appetizer Meatballs
Store-bought spaghetti sauce speeds up the preparation of these homemade meatball appetizers. Leftovers make terrific sub sandwiches. —Rene McCrory, Indianapolis, Indiana
12
/
30
Meatballs with Cranberry Dipping Sauce
With their cranberry dipping sauce, these no-fuss appetizer meatballs make use of traditional Thanksgiving ingredients, so they’re ideal around the holiday or anytime you’re craving those favorite seasonal tastes.—Ann Baker, Texarkana, Texas
13
/
30
Cranberry Sauerkraut Meatballs
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
14
/
30
Bourbon Meatballs
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
15
/
30
Ham Balls with Brown Sugar Glaze
These smoky-sweet meatballs are a Pennsylvania Dutch specialty. I like setting them out when folks come to visit. —Janet Zeger, Middletown, Pennsylvania
16
/
30
Sweet ‘n’ Spicy Meatballs
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
17
/
30
Chinese Meatballs
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
18
/
30
Baked Chicken Meatballs
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
19
/
30
Buffet Meatballs
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
20
/
30
Passover Meatballs
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
21
/
30
Quick and Simple Meatballs
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 of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
22
/
30
Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
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
23
/
30
Fig and Goat Cheese Meatballs
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
24
/
30
Potluck Enchilada Meatballs
This is a twist on the ordinary potluck meatballs. These are easy, inexpensive and a hit for any occasion. —Terina, Lewis, Decatur, Illinois
25
/
30
Game-Day Thai Chicken Meatballs
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
26
/
30
Sneaky Turkey Meatballs
Like most kids, mine refuse to eat certain veggies. In order to feed them healthy foods, I have to be sneaky sometimes. The veggies give these meatballs a pleasing texture while providing valuable nutrients—and I’m happy to say my kids love ’em. —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas
27
/
30
Chili and Jelly Meatballs
The secret ingredient in this sassy sauce is the grape jelly. It’s a sweet contrast with the chili sauce. —Irma Schnuelle, Manitowoc, Wisconsin
28
/
30
Hoisin Cocktail Meatballs
These upscale, Asian-inspired cocktail meatballs are ideal for appetizer parties or get-togethers with friends. —Deirdre Cox, Kansas City, Missouri
29
/
30
Marmalade Meatballs
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
30
/
30
Meatballs in Honey Buffalo Sauce
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 HampshireOriginally Published: September 28, 2022
