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Easy Honey BBQ Meatball Skewers Perfect for a Crowd

honey bbq meatball skewers - featured image
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These sweet and smoky meatball skewers are perfect for parties and gatherings. Made with simple ingredients and ready in under 30 minutes, they’re a crowd-pleasing appetizer that disappears fast.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 blend)
  • 1/2 cup plain breadcrumbs (panko preferred)
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • 1/4 cup finely diced onion (yellow or sweet)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 cup BBQ sauce (e.g., Sweet Baby Ray’s)
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
  • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
  • Wooden or metal skewers (soak wooden ones in water for 30 minutes)
  • Optional garnish: chopped fresh parsley or sliced green onions

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). If using an air fryer, set to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
  2. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, beaten egg, diced onion, minced garlic, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Mix with your hands until just combined; do not overmix.
  3. Roll mixture into 1-inch balls (about 20 to 24 meatballs). Place on prepared baking sheet, spacing about 1 inch apart.
  4. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until cooked through and lightly browned. If using an air fryer, cook in batches for 8 to 10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
  5. While meatballs cook, combine BBQ sauce, honey, soy sauce, and apple cider vinegar in a small saucepan. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes until slightly thickened. Remove from heat.
  6. Transfer cooked meatballs to a large bowl. Pour warm glaze over them and toss gently to coat evenly.
  7. Thread 3 to 4 glazed meatballs onto each skewer. Brush with extra glaze if desired.
  8. Garnish with chopped parsley or green onions. Serve warm.

Notes

For juicier meatballs, use 80/20 ground beef. If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes to prevent burning. Double the glaze for extra dipping sauce. Let meatballs rest 2-3 minutes before glazing for better coating. Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 4 days or frozen (unglazed) for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: honey BBQ meatball skewers, easy appetizer, party meatballs, sweet and smoky, crowd-pleasing

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