Firecracker Meatballs Recipe

If you’re looking for a dish that’s spicy, sweet, and packed with flavor, these Firecracker Meatballs are the perfect choice! Juicy meatballs are baked to perfection and coated in a bold, spicy-sweet firecracker sauce that brings just the right amount of heat.

This recipe is easy to make and perfect for meal prep, served over rice, noodles, or even wrapped in lettuce for a low-carb option. Whether you’re making them for weeknight dinner or as an appetizer for game night, these irresistible meatballs will quickly become a favorite!

Kitchen Equipment Needed

• Large mixing bowl
• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper
• Small saucepan
• Measuring cups and spoons

Ingredients Overview

• Ground Meat: A mix of ground beef and pork gives the best flavor and texture.
• Panko Breadcrumbs: Keeps the meatballs tender.
• Egg: Helps bind everything together.
• Firecracker Sauce: A blend of hot sauce, honey, and brown sugar for the perfect balance of heat and sweetness.

Ingredients

For the Meatballs

• 1 lb ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork)
• 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional for extra heat)

For the Firecracker Sauce

• 1/2 cup hot sauce (such as Frank’s RedHot)
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Directions

Step 1: Prepare the Meatballs

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, mix ground meat, breadcrumbs, egg, milk, garlic, salt, pepper, paprika, onion powder, and red pepper flakes.
3. Roll the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place on the prepared baking sheet.

Step 2: Bake the Meatballs

1. Bake for 15-18 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through (internal temp 165°F/75°C).

Step 3: Make the Firecracker Sauce

1. In a small saucepan, whisk together hot sauce, honey, brown sugar, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, and garlic powder.
2. Simmer over medium heat for 5 minutes, until slightly thickened.

Step 4: Coat the Meatballs

1. Once the meatballs are done, toss them in the firecracker sauce until fully coated.
2. Return to the oven for 3-5 minutes to caramelize the sauce (optional).

Step 5: Serve & Enjoy

1. Garnish with chopped green onions or sesame seeds.
2. Serve over rice, noodles, or as an appetizer with toothpicks.

Prep Time

15 minutes

Cook Time

20 minutes

Total Time

35 minutes

Nutrition (per serving, ~4 servings)

• Calories: ~320
• Fat: ~15g
• Carbohydrates: ~25g
• Protein: ~22g

Expert Tips

• For Extra Crispy Meatballs: Broil for 2 minutes after baking.
• Adjust the Heat: Add more or less hot sauce to control spice level.
• For a Sticky Glaze: Let the meatballs sit in the sauce for a few minutes before serving.

FAQs

Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes! Store in the fridge for up to 3 days, then reheat before serving.

Can I freeze firecracker meatballs?
Yes! Freeze uncooked or cooked meatballs for up to 2 months.

What can I serve with these meatballs?
They pair well with steamed rice, roasted veggies, or even inside a sandwich.

Storing & Freezing

• Storing: Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• Freezing: Freeze meatballs for up to 2 months, then reheat in the oven.

Substitutions & Variations

• Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free breadcrumbs.
• Dairy-Free: Omit the milk or use almond milk.
• Low-Carb: Replace the honey with sugar-free sweetener.

Firecracker Meatballs Recipe

If you’re looking for a dish that’s **spicy, sweet, and packed with flavor**, these **Firecracker Meatballs** are the perfect choice! Juicy meatballs are baked to perfection and coated in a **bold, spicy-sweet firecracker sauce** that brings just the right amount of heat.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Equipment

• - Large mixing bowl
• - Baking sheet
• Parchment paper
• - Small saucepan
• Measuring cups and spoons

Ingredients

  

• #### **For the Meatballs**
• - 1 lb ground beef or a mix of beef and pork
• - 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
• - 1 egg
• - 2 tablespoons milk
• - 2 cloves garlic minced
• - 1 teaspoon salt
• - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• - 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• - 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes optional for extra heat
• #### **For the Firecracker Sauce**
• - 1/2 cup hot sauce such as Frank’s RedHot
• - 1/4 cup honey
• - 1/4 cup brown sugar
• - 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions

 

• #### **Step 1: Prepare the Meatballs**
• Preheat oven to **400°F (200°C)**. Line a baking sheet with **parchment paper**.
• In a large bowl, mix **ground meat, breadcrumbs, egg, milk, garlic, salt, pepper, paprika, onion powder, and red pepper flakes**.
• Roll the mixture into **1-inch meatballs** and place on the prepared baking sheet.
• #### **Step 2: Bake the Meatballs**
• Bake for **15-18 minutes**, until golden brown and cooked through (internal temp **165°F/75°C**).
• #### **Step 3: Make the Firecracker Sauce**
• In a **small saucepan**, whisk together **hot sauce, honey, brown sugar, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, and garlic powder**.
• Simmer over **medium heat** for **5 minutes**, until slightly thickened.
• #### **Step 4: Coat the Meatballs**
• Once the meatballs are done, toss them in the **firecracker sauce** until fully coated.
• Return to the oven for **3-5 minutes** to caramelize the sauce (optional).
• #### **Step 5: Serve & Enjoy**
• Garnish with **chopped green onions or sesame seeds**.
• Serve over **rice, noodles, or as an appetizer with toothpicks**.