Menu

Meatballs in Honey Buffalo Sauce

9 reviews
Test Kitchen Approved
Total Time

Prep: 45 min. Cook: 2 hours

Makes

about 2-1/2 dozen

Updated: Mar. 10, 2022
My family loves the sweet and spicy combination and declared this recipe an instant favorite just for that reason. The meatballs start sweet but finish with a little heat! —Anne Ormond, Dover, New Hampshire
Meatballs in Honey Buffalo Sauce
Meatballs in Honey Buffalo Sauce Recipe photo by Taste of Home
Next Recipe

Ingredients

  • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • 15 Ritz crackers, crushed
  • 1/2 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup 2% milk
  • 4 teaspoons brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground chipotle pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/2 pound ground beef
  • 1/2 pound ground pork
  • 1/2 pound ground veal
  • SAUCE:
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup Buffalo wing sauce
  • 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons orange marmalade
  • 2 tablespoons apricot spreadable fruit
  • 2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • Hot cooked rice or pasta
  • Sliced celery, optional

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°. Combine first 10 ingredients. Add meat; mix lightly but thoroughly. Shape meat mixture into 1-1/2-in. balls; bake on a greased rack in a 15x10x1-in. baking pan lined with foil until lightly browned, 12-15 minutes. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan over medium heat, whisk together sauce ingredients until brown sugar is dissolved.
  2. Transfer meatballs to a 3-qt. slow cooker; add sauce. Cook, covered, on low until meatballs are cooked through, about 2 hours. Serve with hot cooked rice or pasta and, if desired, sliced celery.

Can you freeze Meatballs in Honey Buffalo Sauce ?

Freeze cooled meatballs and sauce in freezer containers. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Heat through in a covered saucepan, stirring gently; add water or broth if necessary. Serve as directed.

Nutrition Facts

3 meatballs with 2 tablespoons sauce: 258 calories, 10g fat (3g saturated fat), 81mg cholesterol, 459mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (26g sugars, 0 fiber), 14g protein.