Best-Ever Delicious Firecracker Meatballs
A delicious way to inject some spiciness and diversity into your weekly meal plan are these firecracker meatballs. Furthermore, you may completely swap out the protein to suit your tastes or what you have on hand. They are quick and simple to prepare, which makes them ideal as an appetizer, Launch, main meal, or side dish at parties. Use this really easy recipe for instant pot rice to make it a complete dinner.
Ingredients used in Firecracker Meatballs
We all know that “firecracker” refers to spiciness, but how precisely do you know what gives these meatballs their kick? I’ll give you a hint: red pepper flakes! For precise proportions, see the recipe card at the foot of the article.
- Ground beef: This is the main attraction and gives taste and texture.
- Panko breadcrumbs: In order to keep the meatballs from being too thick, the breadcrumbs give them a light texture and aid in holding them together.
- Egg: The meatballs are held together by the eggs.
- Green onion: Imparts a tiny crunch and a gentle fresh taste.
- Toasted sesame seeds: Add a deep, nutty taste.
- Garlic: Who doesn’t enjoy a little of garlic in their meatballs? Don’t knock it till you try it!
- Ginger: Gives the meatball taste profile more depth and a warm, sweet flavor with a dash of spice.
- Red pepper flakes: This is what increases the temperature and gives rise to the phrase “firecracker.”
- Soy Sauce: Adds a flavorful, umami-rich saltiness to the meatballs.
- Salt: Amplifies the tastes of every other component.
- Pepper: Enhances the flavor of the other spices and adds a hint of fire.
Ingredients used in Firecracker Sauce
- Buffalo sauce: This hot sauce offers a tangy, spicy, somewhat buttery taste and serves as the foundation for the firecracker sauce.
- Brown sugar: sweetens to counteract the heat.
- Apple cider vinegar: Helps in striking a balance between the richness of the buffalo sauce and the sweetness of the brown sugar.
- Red pepper flakes: Adds a little more spice to the sauce.
- Toasted sesame seeds: Give it a nutty taste and consistency.
- Salt: Brings out the nuances of every ingredient in the sauce, making sure that every bite has the flavor it deserves.
Instructions for Making Firecracker Meatballs
- Prep and Combine: Adjust the oven temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and place parchment paper on a baking pan. Ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, green onions, sesame seeds, ginger, garlic, red pepper flakes, soy sauce, salt, and pepper should all be combined in a big bowl.
- Mix: Combine all of the ingredients and stir until fully incorporated.
- Shape and bake: Form the mixture into 1-inch balls, then arrange the meatballs on the baking sheet in a single layer. Bake the meatballs for 12 to 15 minutes, rotating them midway. Cook until the meatballs’ inside are no longer pink and their exteriors are golden.
- Make the sauce: While the meatballs are cooking, in a medium bowl, mix together the buffalo sauce, red pepper flakes, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and salt until smooth.
- Heat sauce with meatballs: After the meatballs are cooked through, transfer them to a pan over medium heat along with the sauce. After tossing to coat, simmer.
Firecracker Meatballs
Get ready to add some firecracker meatballs to your meal! Perfectly cooked juicy beef meatballs are combined with a spicy and sweet buffalo-based sauce to create a delectable dish that can be enjoyed any night of the week.
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 1 pound ground beef
- ¾ cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 2 tbsp green onions, thinly sliced
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons ginger, grated
- 2 teaspoons red pepper flakes
- 2 teaspoons soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
Firecracker Sauce
- ½ cup buffalo sauce
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Adjust the oven temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and place parchment paper on a baking pan.
- Ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, green onions, sesame seeds, ginger, garlic, red pepper flakes, soy sauce, salt, and pepper should all be combined in a big dish. Stir everything together until thoroughly mixed.
- Form the mixture into 1-inch balls, then arrange the meatballs on the baking sheet in a single layer.
- Bake the meatballs for 12 to 15 minutes, rotating them midway. Cook until the meatballs' inside are no longer pink and their exteriors are golden.
- As the meatballs cook, blend the buffalo sauce, red pepper flakes, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and salt in a medium-sized bowl until the mixture is smooth.
- After the meatballs are cooked through, combine them with the sauce in a pan over medium heat, tossing to coat and reheat the sauce.
- Over rice, serve the meatballs warm. If preferred, garnish with sesame seeds, red pepper flakes, and green onions.
