Sweet & Spicy Party Meatballs

These Sweet and Spicy Party Meatballs are the perfect twist on the classic cocktail meatball appetizer. They are made with only 4 ingredients and cooked low and slow in the slow cooker until heated through.  

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Every party menu should have cocktail meatballs on it. They are so easy to make and they are downright delicious. It’s crazy to think about how a few ingredients and a little bit of prep time can make an amazing appetizer. 

Inspired by the classic grape jelly meatball recipe, these meatballs are a little different as they are made with cranberry sauce, bbq sauce, and a couple of chipotle peppers for an added spicy kick. 

How to make Party Meatballs

First, prepare your chipotle peppers in adobo sauce by chopping them up finely. I generally buy a small can of peppers, remove two whole peppers and chop them finely with a knife. Place them in the slow cooker. For a spicier meatball sauce, add 2 tablespoon of the adobo sauce from the can.

Next, pop open your can of jellied cranberry sauce and place the sauce in your slow cooker and use a spoon to break the jelly up. 

Then add bbq sauce and stir thoroughly. 

Add pre-cooked frozen meatballs and stir, ensuring all the meatballs are covered in the sauce. 

Next, cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours, stirring occasionally, until the meatballs are heated through.  

Serve and enjoy 🙂

Notes:

• If you like your sauce less spicy, leave out the extra 1-2 tablespoon of adobe pepper sauce. 
• I use precooked frozen meatballs. I prefer beef meatballs for this recipe but any precooked meatballs you can get your hands on should work just fine. 
• Any original bbq sauce will work fine. Homemade BBQ Sauce or Sweet Baby Ray’s work best.

Looking for other party appetizers? Try these out:

• Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings
• Sweet and Spicy Bacon Wrapped Chicken
• Cauliflower Dip 
• BBQ Black-Eyed Pea Dip
• Southern Deviled Egg Recipes

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5 from 2 votes

Sweet and Spicy Party Meatballs

These Sweet and Spicy Party Meatballs are the perfect easy appetizer for a crowd. With only 4 ingredients and a spicy bbq flavor, these are the perfect twist on a classic cocktail meatball recipe.

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American

Keyword cocktail meatballs, party meatballs

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 4 hours hours

Total Time 4 hours hours 5 minutes minutes

Servings 12 people

Calories 295kcal

Author Tanya

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

• 32 oz frozen precooked meatballs
• 1 14 oz can of jellied cranberry sauce
• 1 cup bbq sauce
• 2 chopped Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce + 2 tablespoon sauce

Instructions

• Place ingredients in slow cooker, ensuring all the meatballs are covered. Cook on low for 3-4 hours or until the meatballs are cooked through. Serve and enjoy.

Suggested Tools

Slow Cooker

Notes

• If you like your sauce less spicy, leave out the extra 1-2 tablespoon of adobe pepper sauce. 
• I use precooked frozen meatballs. I prefer beef meatballs for this recipe but any meatballs you can get your hands on should work just fine. 
• Any original bbq sauce will work fine. Homemade or Sweet Baby Ray’s work best.

Nutrition

Calories: 295kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 54mg | Sodium: 329mg | Potassium: 281mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 22g | Vitamin A: 199IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 1mg

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Although myforkinglife.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Under no circumstances will myforkinglife.com be responsible for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information.