Honey Buffalo Meatballs: A Flavorful Slow Cooker Delight
Introduction:
These delicious meatballs infused with honey and buffalo sauce are a delightful twist on traditional appetizers or main courses. Perfect for a cozy dinner or a party snack, these meatballs are easy to prepare and bursting with flavor. This recipe combines the convenience of a slow cooker with the bold tastes of buffalo sauce and the sweetness of honey, creating a dish that’s sure to please everyone.
Ingredients:
- 2.25 lbs. lean ground beef
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup crumbled saltine crackers (approximately 22 crackers)
- 1/3 cup minced onion
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup Frank’s Red Hot Sauce (or substitute your favorite buffalo sauce)
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 cup apricot preserves (or substitute with tangerine or orange)
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/3 cup soy sauce
- 1 1/2 tsp cornstarch
- 1/2 tbsp butter
Preparation:
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 450°F. Line a baking sheet with foil and set aside.
- Prepare Meatball Mixture: In a large bowl, whisk the eggs. Add ground beef, crumbled saltine crackers, minced onion, milk, garlic powder, salt, chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, and black pepper. Mix until well combined.
- Shape Meatballs: Shape the mixture into meatballs of your desired size and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 8 minutes or until lightly browned.
- Prepare Honey Buffalo Sauce: In a medium bowl, combine Frank’s Red Hot Sauce, honey, apricot preserves, brown sugar, soy sauce, cornstarch, and butter. Mix until smooth.
- Slow Cooker Assembly: Place a layer of meatballs in the base of the slow cooker. Pour a portion of the Honey Buffalo Sauce over the meatballs.
- Cooking: Cover the meatballs with the remaining sauce. Cover the slow cooker with a lid and cook on low heat for 2 hours. After 1 hour of cooking, stir the meatballs and sauce to ensure even coating. Taste and adjust seasoning if desired by adding more spicy sauce.
Tips:
- For a spicier kick, increase the amount of hot sauce in the Honey Buffalo Sauce mixture.
- Serve the meatballs with toothpicks as appetizers or with rice or mashed potatoes for a satisfying main course.
- Make a double batch and freeze the cooked meatballs for quick and convenient meals later.
FAQs:
Q: Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef?
A: Yes, you can substitute ground turkey for ground beef if you prefer a leaner option.
Q: Can I make these meatballs ahead of time?
A: Absolutely! You can prepare the meatballs and the sauce ahead of time and store them separately in the refrigerator. When ready to cook, simply assemble everything in the slow cooker and let it cook according to the instructions.
Q: Can I cook these meatballs on high heat in the slow cooker?
A: While it’s possible to cook them on high heat for a shorter duration, the low and slow method allows the flavors to meld together better, resulting in more tender and flavorful meatballs. However, if you’re short on time, you can cook them on high for about 1 hour and 30 minutes.
With this recipe, you’re sure to impress your guests or family with these delectable Honey Buffalo Meatballs that are bursting with flavor and easy to make. Enjoy!