Firecracker Meatballs
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These Firecracker Meatballs are bursting with bold flavor and a kick of heat. Juicy beef meatballs are baked until golden and tossed in a creamy, spicy firecracker sauce you’ll want to drizzle on everything.
Looking for more easy dinner recipes? Try these chicken pitas or BBQ chicken flatbread.
Firecracker meatballs are a huge hit in my house!
They come together fast, with just 20 minutes from start to finish, and the spicy firecracker sauce is totally addictive. Whether you serve them over rice or enjoy them on their own, they’re an easy way to bring big flavor to your dinner table with minimal effort.
They’re great for weeknights, meal prep, or even casual entertaining—just be prepared for them to disappear fast!
What You’ll Love About This Recipe
Recipe Ingredients
You’ll need the following ingredients to make these spicy Firecracker Meatballs:
Ingredient Notes
Ground Beef – Use 85/15 for the best texture and flavor. For a leaner version, go with 93/7 or try Jennie-O ground turkey or Smart Chicken ground chicken as lighter alternatives.
Breadcrumbs – Standard or panko breadcrumbs both work. Kikkoman panko is a reliable store-bought option for extra crunch. Gluten-free? Try Ian’s Gluten-Free Panko or use crushed Rice Chex.
Milk – Whole milk makes the meatballs tender and rich. You can also use Califia Farms Unsweetened Almond Milk if dairy-free.
Garlic – Freshly minced garlic brings more flavor than jarred. To save time, try Dorot frozen garlic cubes.
Scallions – Use the white parts in the mix and save the green ends for garnish. Don’t have scallions? Use finely diced shallots or chives.
Red Pepper Flakes – Adjust to taste. For more heat, sub in Mike’s Hot Honey or a drizzle of Cholula or Frank’s RedHot.
Vegetable Oil – For brushing the meatballs. Olive oil or Chosen Foods Avocado Oil Spray also work well and help the tops brown.
Sour Cream + Mayo – You can sub Greek Yogurt for the sour cream if preferred.
Buffalo Sauce – Use your favorite heat level. I love Frank’s RedHot, Sweet Baby Ray’s Buffalo Wing Sauce, or Primal Kitchen Buffalo Sauce.
Soy Sauce – You can also sub with Coconut Aminos.
See the recipe card below for full ingredients and exact measurements.
Recipe Variations
Use Ground Chicken or Turkey instead of beef for a lighter version.
Add Crushed Red Pepper to the sauce for an extra fiery kick.
Serve in Lettuce Wraps for a low-carb option.
Top with Toasted Sesame Seeds or Chopped Peanuts for added crunch.
How to Make Firecracker Meatballs: Step-by-Step
Here are quick visual instructions. Be sure to check out the full instructions with exact ingredients in the printable recipe card below.
Step 1: In a large bowl add the beef, breadcrumbs, milk, garlic, scallions, salt and red pepper flakes and mix together
Step 2: Form into 1 1/2 inch meatballs and place on the baking sheet. Brush the vegetable oil on the tops of the meatballs.
Step 3: Place in the oven and bake for 15 minutes.
Step 4: In a medium sized bowl add the sour cream, mayo, buffalo sauce, rice vinegar, soy sauce and honey, stir and set aside.
Step 5: Add the meatballs to a plate or on top of rice and drizzle the sauce all over top.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
Use a Cookie Scoop to portion the meatballs evenly.
Make the sauce in advance and store in the fridge.
Don’t skip the garnish—scallions and sesame seeds really enhance flavor and presentation.
Adjust spice by increasing or decreasing the hot sauce or red pepper flakes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Ground turkey or chicken work great as lighter alternatives.
It’s a medium heat level. If you’re spice-sensitive, start with less buffalo sauce and taste as you go.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 2–3 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop.
Yes, freeze the cooked meatballs (without sauce) for up to 2 months. Defrost and reheat before serving with freshly made sauce.
I hope you love these firecracker meatballs! If you try them, please leave a star ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating in the recipe card below. Your feedback means so much!
More Ground Beef Ideas
Firecracker Meatballs
Ingredients
- 1 lb of ground beef
- 1/4 cup of bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup of milk
- 2 tbsp of garlic minced
- 1/4 cup of thinly sliced scallions the white bulb ends
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 2 tbsp of vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup of sour cream
- 1/4 cup of mayo
- 2 tbsp of buffalo hot sauce
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp honey
- Sprinkle of chopped scallions
Instructions
- Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and preheat the oven to 425°. In a large bowl add the beef, breadcrumbs, milk, garlic, scallions, salt and red pepper flakes and mix together. Form into 1 1/2 inch meatballs and place on the baking sheet.
- Brush the vegetable oil on the tops of the meatballs. Place in the oven and bake for 15 minutes. In a medium sized bowl add the sour cream, mayo, buffalo sauce, rice vinegar, soy sauce and honey, stir and set aside.
- Add the meatballs to a plate or on top of rice and drizzle the sauce all over top, top with more chopped scallions (the green ends) and sprinkle with sesame seeds(optional) serve and enjoy!
Notes
Make sure to save the green ends of the scallions for the topping.
The sesame seeds are completely optional.
You can top with red pepper flakes after serving.
The nutritional details for recipes are estimated using MyFitnessPal and can vary with different products, measurement accuracy, and source reliability. We aim to provide accurate information but cannot guarantee the precise accuracy of the nutritional data