Best Ever Meatball Appetizers Recipe- Sweet and Tangy Meatballs

This Best Ever Meatball appetizers recipe has been a favorite of ours for quite a while. In fact this sweet and tangy meatball appetizer has been a huge hit at all our gatherings. 

Best Ever Meatball Appetizers

I have made this recipe more times than I can count, and each time, I have found people almost crawling over each other to get more. Sometimes, depending on the amount of people I am expecting, I double or triple my recipe, just to make sure that there is enough. These are seriously, In my opinion the Best Ever Meatball Appetizers! 

The first time I made them, I made half the recipe. I didn’t think I would need more than 25 Meatballs as we had also made a bunch of other appetizers and only had about 6 adults and 3 Children. I was wrong. Not only did all the other appetizers fly, but the meatballs flew so fast they were gone in less than 10 Minuets. Now THAT’S something. 

Not one left behind. Not one meatball. 

The last time I made these, was for a small Christmas get together we had. Literally 4 Adults and 2 Children in total. 3 different dips and about 50 meatballs. Gone. Every last one! I’m not kidding. 

These are easy to make and absolutely delicious. 

I don’t have to sell these to you, you will try them yourself and fall in love. 

Now, I am going to warn you, the ingredients sound kind of funky. Please over look the appearance of the ingredients list and try this meatball appetizer. You will not be sorry. I promise. 

I am going to make these again for New Years eve! They make a perfect New Years eve Appetizer and are actually amazing as part of a meal! Add 3 or 4 Meatballs on top of some rice or egg noodles, with a bit of the sauce and you are golden! 

Best Ever Meatball Appetizers

Best Ever Meatball Appetizers Recipe
Deliciously amazing balls of meaty goodness bathing in a sweet and tangy sauce and served warm. They go fast, so load your plate.
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For the Meatballs
  1. 2 TBSP Olive Oil
  2. 2 Lbs of Ground Beef
  3. 3 Large Eggs, Yolks Only
  4. 1/2 C. Italian Seasoned Bread Crumbs
  5. 1/2 C. Romano Cheese
  6. 1 Tsp Garlic Powder
  7. Pepper
For The Sauce
  1. I Large Onion, Finely Chopped
  2. 1 1/2 C. Brown Sugar
  3. 1 1/3 C. Ketchup
  4. 2 Tbsp White Wine Dijon Mustard
  5. 3 Tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
  6. 1 1/3 C. Strongly Brewed Coffee
  7. Salt
  8. Pepper
For the Sauce
  1. Combine all sauce ingredients in a large sauce pan.
  2. Cook over medium heat for 15 mins, stirring regularly.
  3. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 30 mins.
  4. Once Finished, the sauce can be stored in the refrigerator until needed. To Reheat, or if serving right away, I put the sauce in a slow cooker and add the cooked meatballs to keep warm for serving.
For the Meatballs
  1. Combine All Meatball Ingredients (except olive oil) in a Large bowl and mix until just combined. Do not over mix.
  2. Once Combined, shape into small sized balls.
  3. Make balls about 3/4 of an inch in size and place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper until ready to Brown.
  4. Heat Olive oil in a large frying Pan.
  5. Brown Meatballs in batches over low heat until cooked through, turning frequently.
  6. Add to Sauce and Serve.
NinjaMommers https://www.ninjamommers.com/

Do you Have a Favorite Appetizer Recipe? 

62 Comments

  1. Robin (Masshole Mommy) on January 7, 2015 at 9:53 am

    I love it when I walk into a party and see things like this there waiting for me. I tend to stand by the food so I can eat most of it 😉

  2. Jaime on January 7, 2015 at 10:14 am

    My husband makes a great slow cooker chili we use for appetizers. It’s amazing – and these sound fantastic!!

  3. Randa @ TBK on January 7, 2015 at 10:30 am

    You had me at Dijon. It’s a favourite ingredient of mine, I bet these taste amazing.

    • Ninja Mommers on January 7, 2015 at 10:44 am

      Omgosh me too Randa! I love Dijon. They DOOOOO taste amazing 🙂

  4. Lois Alter Mark on January 7, 2015 at 10:35 am

    These sound delicious. My son is a big meatball lover so I will have to try them.

    • Ninja Mommers on January 7, 2015 at 10:43 am

      Please let me know the verdict once you have tried them! I love to hear thoughts!

  5. Sandi on January 7, 2015 at 10:42 am

    OMG yum! These may just be dinner on the weekend!! Thanks for the recipe, Ninja Mommers!

    • Ninja Mommers on January 7, 2015 at 10:43 am

      They are delicious! SO GOOD. Seriously! Tell me what you think if you do make them 🙂

  6. Dee on January 7, 2015 at 10:48 am

    These sound delicious. We all adore meatballs here.

    • Ninja Mommers on January 7, 2015 at 10:51 am

      Thanks Dee! We do too! I love that you can change the ingredients to make them fit well with anything. We love Spaghetti and Meatballs, These Meatball Appetizers and anything else you can think of. Mmmmm Meatball subs! Sweet and Sour Meatballs…

      Now I am hungry LOL!

  7. Krystal on January 7, 2015 at 11:44 am

    Those sound so delicious! I’m a huge fan of meatballs, whether it’s for appetizers or a main dish. Yum!

  8. Tammy B on January 7, 2015 at 11:46 am

    wow those meatballs sound amazing. One of my favorite food item to make. I have my own for Swedish meatballs that always go over so well. (never any left over) Although some of the ingredients are the same for my sauce, your’s slightly different and well worth trying. !! bon appetite !! 🙂

    • Ninja Mommers on January 7, 2015 at 2:19 pm

      Thanks Tammy! Let me know what you think! 🙂

  9. Paula H on January 7, 2015 at 12:01 pm

    Ok these look delicious!! Love that the sauce has Coffee in it! Makes me want to try them THAT much more! Meatballs always go over well at potlucks. Speaking of which, I have one at church next week. Guess what I’ll be making!! Thanks for the recipe!

    • Ninja Mommers on January 7, 2015 at 2:19 pm

      Thank you Paula! The coffee is actually an amazing addition. Let me know what you think when you make them!

  10. Terry on January 7, 2015 at 12:10 pm

    I have had these… or some like these at parties before. I loved them. Thanks for the recipe.

  11. Tammi @ My Organized Chaos on January 7, 2015 at 12:11 pm

    I love making meatballs but usually make a Hawaiian kind. i need to try this one next time, thanks!

    • Ninja Mommers on January 7, 2015 at 2:20 pm

      If you do try them, Let me know what you think !:)

  12. Nicole on January 7, 2015 at 12:11 pm

    My grandma makes sweet and tangy meatballs every year for Christmas as an appetizer. She cheats and uses the meatballs from Costco and just adds sauce.

  13. susan on January 7, 2015 at 12:16 pm

    This looks amazing!! I would love to make this delicious appetizer for my family and friends for our get togethers.

  14. Dawn on January 7, 2015 at 12:29 pm

    Oh, meatballs. You are so wonderfully tasty. I love it when you get in my tummy.

    • Ninja Mommers on January 7, 2015 at 2:21 pm

      I sing that in song form every single time I make these. How did you know!? 😛

  15. Aeryn Lynne on January 7, 2015 at 12:31 pm

    YUMMY! I want this for lunch now! 😀 I’ve never thought of using coffee in the sauce, though I just might have to try that next time I make meatballs (which I’ve realised today was forever ago now, heh.) I’ve also never tried browning them before in a pan, but this is actually the third time I’ve heard how to cook ’em in this week, which means I’m gonna have to do this tomorrow, lol… gotta love Food Network addiction. 😉

  16. Jennifer on January 7, 2015 at 12:44 pm

    Meatballs are the best. They’re great for appetizers or main dishes. AND they’re always delicious.

  17. Gabriel Bregg on January 7, 2015 at 1:02 pm

    We do a lot of meatballs around this house and between coffee and Dijon mustard, I know I will love these but I might have to do a little arm twisting on the kids.

  18. Lesley on January 7, 2015 at 2:01 pm

    I am a meatball addict. I love them so much. I think they make the ultimate appetizer.

  19. aimee fauci on January 7, 2015 at 3:40 pm

    I love meatballs, like really love meatballs. Love that you added brown sugar , but I must admit the coffee has thrown me off but I’m willing to try it.

    • Ninja Mommers on January 7, 2015 at 4:38 pm

      I promise you, it’s shockingly good!

  20. Kay Adeola on January 7, 2015 at 3:44 pm

    I love meatballs I would probably be able to eat 50 of them myself lol.These look great thank you for sharing.

  21. Pam on January 7, 2015 at 5:19 pm

    This sounds a lot like a recipe I make for meatballs. I’ll have to try it out next time I’m in the mood for meatballs!

  22. coolchillmom on January 7, 2015 at 5:30 pm

    I usually do meatball sliders. i have to try making them with your tangy sauce!

  23. Christine C. on January 7, 2015 at 5:52 pm

    I really don’t have a favorite appetizer recipe. I really haven’t had the opportunity to make any. Our parties are always a full meal or just desserts. These look really good!

  24. Kelly Hutchinson on January 7, 2015 at 6:56 pm

    We love meatballs and eat them often. I am intrigues by the coffee being added to this recipe.

  25. Ladena on January 7, 2015 at 7:52 pm

    YUM! These meatballs look awesome. I love that they don’t require any complicated ingredients. I’ll have to make them, I bet my family would love them.

  26. Shauna on January 7, 2015 at 7:54 pm

    Oh how awesome. I love sweet and tangy meatballs. Perfect appetizers… Thanks for sharing.

  27. Jeanine on January 7, 2015 at 8:30 pm

    These look soooo good. I love wings and mozzarella sticks! Such great appetizers yum. Oh and garlic bread haha all things that are sooo bad but sooo good!

  28. Melissa Smith on January 7, 2015 at 8:36 pm

    I’m always a fan of meatball appetizers, but they’re usually just grape jelly & chili sauce. Your recipe sounds SO much better!

  29. Chelley @ AisForAdelaide on January 7, 2015 at 9:28 pm

    Delicious! They look so good! I will add these to my party planning repertoire.

  30. celebdirtylaundry on January 7, 2015 at 10:04 pm

    I love meatballs so much, this sounds like the perfect recipe idea for parties!

  31. Our Family World on January 7, 2015 at 11:09 pm

    This is the best idea for when you’re having a party, these meatballs look so delicious; I’d love to have some!

  32. Autumn @MamaChallenge on January 7, 2015 at 11:43 pm

    My kids would love if I made these would never survinve for more than five minutes.

  33. Kristen from The Road to Domestication on January 7, 2015 at 11:53 pm

    This is a great recipe to add to my appetizers collection, thank you!

  34. Tammilee Tips on January 8, 2015 at 1:00 am

    John loves meatballs! I make a similar version as well. Its always a hit at the parties we take them to!

  35. Shelley Zurek on January 8, 2015 at 2:35 am

    I have been seeing these all over the internet. Now that I see the ingredients I know why they are the best ever.

  36. Chrystal @ YUM eating on January 8, 2015 at 2:24 pm

    These sound amazing! My favorite appetizer is pesto on top of toasted french bread slices. Sooo good.

    • Ninja Mommers on January 10, 2015 at 2:20 pm

      Mmmm pesto is the besto. Lol I am such a nerd.

  37. Rosey on January 8, 2015 at 5:05 pm

    Sounds easy enough. This is perfect for Super Bowl Sunday too.

    • Ninja Mommers on January 10, 2015 at 2:19 pm

      I know. I can’t wait. I use any excuse to make them lol. The golden globes even.. hahhahaha

  38. Angela on January 8, 2015 at 6:53 pm

    I love that sweet and tangy flavor. These would be perfect for game day!

  39. Amber NElson on January 8, 2015 at 7:19 pm

    Oh we love meatballs at our house. Will have to try this one.

    • Ninja Mommers on January 10, 2015 at 2:18 pm

      Us too! If you do try these please let me know what you thought! 🙂

  40. Life As A Convert on January 8, 2015 at 7:25 pm

    This may be straying a little, but those little skewers are awesome. I can never find them near me though. Where do you pick them up from?

    • Ninja Mommers on January 10, 2015 at 2:17 pm

      I actually got them from the aisle with the food packaging in it at a grocery store. It was in the same aisle as the tin foil! 🙂 I was shocked because I didn’t think I would find them.

  41. Erica Brooks on January 8, 2015 at 11:36 pm

    Yummmy! My family loves meatballs. They would really enjoy these.

    • Ninja Mommers on January 10, 2015 at 2:18 pm

      If you try them out please come back and let me know your thoughts!

  42. Veronica on January 9, 2015 at 5:11 pm

    Looks like great bite size for parties. I bet they are delicious

  43. Amber on January 31, 2015 at 11:27 pm

    Making them for Super Bowl. Can’t wait, they look delist! Can you keep them warm in a crockpot?

    • Ninja Mommers on February 2, 2015 at 11:16 am

      Yes, I always do! Let me know how you liked them!! 🙂

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