Description
Juicy, bite-sized cocktail meatballs baked to perfection and coated in a sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy sauce. Perfect for parties and make-ahead entertaining.
Ingredients
- ½ cup panko bread crumbs
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 shallot
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 tsp black peppercorns (or ½ tsp cracked black pepper)
- 1 tsp sea salt
- ½ lb pork mince
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 egg
- ⅓ cup honey
- ¼ cup ketchup
- ¼ cup sriracha (more to taste)
- 3 – 4 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- ½ cup orange juice (strained)
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F. Line a baking tray with foil or parchment and place a wire rack on top.
- Soak panko breadcrumbs in milk in a bowl.
- Blend shallot, garlic, black pepper, and salt into a smooth paste using a food processor.
- Process pork until very fine if needed, then add soaked breadcrumbs, spice paste, and egg. Pulse into a paste-like mixture.
- Add half the ground beef and pulse to combine, then add remaining beef and pulse until mostly mixed.
- Transfer mixture to a bowl and mix thoroughly by hand or spatula.
- Scoop and roll into 1–1¼ inch meatballs using wet hands.
- Place meatballs on the rack with space between each.
- Bake for 15–20 minutes until cooked through. Let cool slightly, then remove and cool completely.
- To make the sauce, combine honey, ketchup, sriracha, balsamic vinegar, and orange juice in a pan. Add a pinch of salt.
- Simmer over medium heat for 10–15 minutes, stirring until thickened. Adjust seasoning and spice to taste.
- Add meatballs to the sauce and stir to coat. Heat through and simmer briefly if desired.
- Serve warm with sauce spooned over the top.
Notes
- Meatballs can be frozen after baking; thaw overnight before using.
- Adjust sriracha for desired spice level.
- Add extra balsamic vinegar for more tang without heat.
- Serve with toothpicks for easy party appetizers.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 meatball
- Calories: 85 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
