Looking for easy football party finger foods for game day? These honey BBQ meatballs hit all the marks – quick prep, minimal ingredients, and that perfect sweet-spicy combo that keeps everyone reaching for more. They’re tender inside, caramelized outside, and coated in a glossy sauce that won’t drip on your couch.
I tested these with both lean and regular ground beef – stick with 80/20 for the best texture and flavor. These disappeared in 10 minutes at my last watch party.
At-a-Glance
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Servings: 36 meatballs
- Difficulty: Easy
- Best For: Game day parties, potlucks, quick appetizers
Why This Works
- High heat (400°F) creates a golden-brown crust while keeping the inside juicy
- The sauce combines three powerhouse ingredients: BBQ sauce brings depth, honey adds gloss and stick, and Sriracha kicks up the heat
- Breadcrumbs and egg work as binders, preventing crumbly meatballs
- Small size (about 1-inch) means perfect two-bite portions that cook quickly and evenly
Ingredients & Smart Swaps
For the meatballs:
- 1 pound ground beef (80/20 recommended, or swap with ground turkey)
- 1 large egg (or 3 tablespoons buttermilk)
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs (panko, regular, or crushed crackers)
- 1/3 cup finely chopped onion (or 1 tablespoon onion powder)
- 1 clove garlic, minced (or 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder)
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley (or 1 teaspoon dried)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon prepared honey BBQ sauce
For the sauce:
- 1 cup BBQ sauce (any style works – like our homemade version)
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon Sriracha (adjust to taste)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix sauce ingredients in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat 30 seconds, stir, repeat until smooth. Set aside.
- Combine ground beef, egg, breadcrumbs, onion, garlic, parsley, salt, and 1 tablespoon BBQ sauce in a large bowl.
- Mix gently with your hands until just combined. Don’t overmix – that makes tough meatballs.
- Form 36 meatballs (about 1-inch diameter). Place on prepared sheet.
- Bake 12 minutes, flipping halfway. They’re done when brown outside and 160°F inside.
- Transfer hot meatballs to a bowl, pour over warm sauce, gently toss.
Pro Tips & Common Mistakes
- Keep hands wet when rolling meatballs – prevents sticking
- Don’t pack meatballs too tight – they’ll get dense and tough
- Space meatballs 1-inch apart for even browning
- Check temp with meat thermometer – 160°F is perfect
- Let rest 2 minutes before tossing in sauce – helps sauce stick better
Storage, Freezing & Reheating
Store cooked meatballs in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Freeze uncooked meatballs for up to 2 months – freeze on a tray first, then bag them.
To reheat: Microwave 1-2 minutes or warm in oven at 350°F for 10 minutes. Add extra sauce if needed.
Variations
- Asian-Style: Swap BBQ sauce for teriyaki and add ginger to the meat mix
- Italian: Use marinara instead of BBQ sauce, add Italian seasoning to meatballs
- Extra Spicy: Double Sriracha, add red pepper flakes to meat mixture
- Cheesy: Stuff each meatball with a small cube of cheddar before baking
FAQ
Can I make these ahead for a party?
Yes! Make and bake meatballs up to 24 hours ahead. Reheat and add sauce just before serving. Perfect with other party appetizers.
Why are my meatballs tough?
Usually from overmixing or overbaking. Mix just until combined and don’t exceed 12 minutes bake time. Try our comfort food recipes for more tips.
What can I serve with these?
They pair great with ranch dip, celery sticks, or try our vegetarian sides. For dessert, consider our festive cakes.
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Easy Honey BBQ Meatballs for Game Day
Equipment
- Oven
- Baking Sheet
- Microwave-safe bowl
Ingredients
Main
- 1 lb ground beef ground beef 80/20 recommended
- 1 large egg or 3 tablespoons buttermilk
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs panko, regular, or crushed crackers
- 1/3 cup finely chopped onion or 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 clove garlic minced or 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley or 1 teaspoon dried
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon prepared honey BBQ sauce
- 1 cup BBQ sauce any style works
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon Sriracha adjust to taste
Instructions
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix sauce ingredients in a microwave-safe bowl and heat until smooth.
- Combine ground beef, egg, breadcrumbs, onion, garlic, parsley, salt, and BBQ sauce in a bowl.
- Mix gently with hands until just combined.
- Form 36 meatballs and place on the prepared sheet.
- Bake for 12 minutes, flipping halfway until browned and cooked through.
- Transfer meatballs to a bowl, pour over warm sauce, and gently toss.