If you’re looking for the perfect sweet, tangy, and savory appetizer (or even a main dish!), these Incredible Apple Butter Meatballs are the recipe to try. They’re smothered in a rich, flavorful apple butter sauce that’s slightly sweet, a little smoky, and completely irresistible.
Best part? They’re ridiculously easy to make. Whether you’re throwing a party, meal-prepping, or just craving something cozy, these meatballs will hit the spot every time. Trust me, one bite, and you’ll be hooked!
Why You’ll Love Incredible Apple Butter Meatballs
Versatile Perfect for game nights, family dinners, or even meal prep.
Budget-Friendly Uses simple, affordable ingredients you probably already have.
Quick and Easy Takes minimal effort—just mix, bake (or slow cook!), and enjoy.
Customizable Use homemade or store-bought meatballs, or even swap out the protein!
Crowd-Pleasing The perfect balance of sweet, smoky, and tangy—everyone loves them!
Ingredients
Ingredients in Incredible Apple Butter Meatballs
This sauce is where the magic happens, combining sweet apple butter with smoky and tangy flavors.
Meatballs Use homemade or store-bought frozen meatballs for convenience.
Apple Butter The star of the sauce! It gives the dish a deep, caramelized apple sweetness.
BBQ Sauce Adds a smoky depth to balance the sweetness. Go for a bold, thick BBQ sauce for the best flavor.
Apple Cider Vinegar A little tang to brighten up the sauce and cut through the richness.
Brown Sugar Enhances the caramel notes of the apple butter for that perfect glaze.
Dijon Mustard Adds a subtle tangy kick that rounds out all the flavors.
Garlic Powder Because garlic makes everything better.
Onion Powder Adds depth without overpowering the sauce.
Salt & Pepper Balances the flavors and enhances the meatballs.
Instructions
Let’s dive into the steps to create this flavorful masterpiece:
Preheat Your Oven If using homemade meatballs, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Prepare the Meatballs If making from scratch, mix ground meat, breadcrumbs, egg, and seasonings. Roll into small balls and place on the baking sheet. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until fully cooked. If using frozen meatballs, move to the next step.
Make the Sauce In a large saucepan, whisk together apple butter, BBQ sauce, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper over medium heat. Let it simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Combine with Meatballs Add the cooked or frozen meatballs into the saucepan and stir until fully coated in the sauce.
Simmer to Perfection Cover and let the meatballs simmer on low heat for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure the sauce thickens and coats every meatball.
Serve and Enjoy Once the sauce is thick and glossy, serve warm as an appetizer or over rice for a delicious meal.
Nutrition Facts
Servings: About 6
Calories per serving: Approx. 350
Preparation Time
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
How to Serve Incredible Apple Butter Meatballs
These meatballs are insanely versatile, so here are a few serving ideas:
- As an appetizer Serve them straight from the slow cooker or in a serving dish with toothpicks.
- Over rice or mashed potatoes The sauce makes an incredible glaze for a full meal.
- In a sandwich Load them into a soft hoagie roll with melted cheese.
- With roasted veggies A great low-carb option with roasted Brussels sprouts or sweet potatoes.
Additional Tips
- Use a slow cooker! Add all ingredients to a slow cooker and cook on low for 3-4 hours or high for 1-2 hours for an even easier method.
- Want a little heat? Add red pepper flakes or a splash of hot sauce to balance the sweetness.
- Make it gluten-free Use gluten-free meatballs and a GF BBQ sauce.
- Double the sauce! It’s so good, you might want extra for dipping.
FAQ’s
1. Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes! Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave.
2. Can I freeze these meatballs?
Absolutely! Freeze them (fully cooked and sauced) for up to 3 months. Thaw and reheat when needed.
3. What’s the best BBQ sauce to use?
A smoky, thick BBQ sauce works best to balance the sweetness of the apple butter.
4. Can I use turkey or chicken meatballs?
Yes! Turkey or chicken meatballs work just as well—just watch the cooking time, as they may cook faster.
5. How do I thicken the sauce if it’s too runny?
Let it simmer uncovered for a few extra minutes, or stir in a cornstarch slurry (1 tsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp water).
6. Can I make this without BBQ sauce?
Yes! Try replacing it with honey mustard or a little ketchup mixed with Worcestershire sauce.
7. What can I use instead of apple butter?
Unsweetened applesauce can work in a pinch, but the flavor won’t be as deep. You may need to adjust the sugar and spices.
8. How do I keep these warm for a party?
Keep them in a slow cooker on the warm setting for up to 3 hours—just stir occasionally.
9. Can I use fresh onions and garlic instead of powder?
Definitely! Sauté them in a little butter before adding the other sauce ingredients for extra depth of flavor.
10. What should I serve these with for a full meal?
They pair perfectly with rice, mashed potatoes, roasted veggies, or even crusty bread to soak up that delicious sauce!
Conclusion
These Incredible Apple Butter Meatballs are the perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and savory, making them a guaranteed hit no matter when you serve them. Whether as an easy weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleasing appetizer, they deliver big flavor with minimal effort.
So go ahead—whip up a batch and get ready for everyone to ask for the recipe!
Print
Incredible Apple Butter Meatballs
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 24 meatballs
- Category: Appetizer, Main Dish
- Method: Baking & Simmering
- Cuisine: American Fusion
Description
Enjoy a unique twist on classic meatballs that balances savory spices with the sweet and tangy flavor of apple butter. These meatballs are perfect as an appetizer or a main dish—ideal for cozy fall dinners or any time you crave a comforting, inventive bite.
Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
• 1 lb ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork for extra juiciness)
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 1 small onion, finely grated or minced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the Apple Butter Sauce:
• 1 cup apple butter
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• A pinch of ground cloves
• Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
-
Preheat & Prep:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
-
Make the Meatballs:
- In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, grated onion, minced garlic, fresh parsley, salt, and pepper.
- Mix gently until just combined to avoid overworking the meat.
- Form the mixture into 24 evenly sized meatballs (about 1-inch in diameter).
-
Bake the Meatballs:
- Place the meatballs on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15–20 minutes or until browned and cooked through.
-
Prepare the Apple Butter Sauce:
- While the meatballs are baking, transfer the apple butter to a large skillet over medium heat.
- Stir in the apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, cinnamon, ground cloves, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Allow the sauce to warm and bubble gently for about 3–4 minutes.
-
Combine & Simmer:
- Once the meatballs are baked, add them to the skillet with the sauce.
- Gently toss to coat the meatballs in the apple butter mixture.
- Let everything simmer together for an additional 5 minutes to meld the flavors.
-
Serve:
- Transfer the meatballs to a serving dish, spoon a little extra sauce over the top, and garnish with additional parsley if desired.
Notes
For a richer flavor, you can brown the meatballs in a skillet before baking.
• Adjust the seasoning in the sauce to balance the sweetness and tanginess according to your taste.
• These meatballs can be served over rice, with mashed potatoes, or simply enjoyed on their
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 meatballs
- Calories: ~150 kcal
- Sugar: ~5 g
- Sodium: ~300 mg
- Fat: ~10 g
- Saturated Fat: ~3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6.5 g
- Fiber: ~1 g
- Protein: ~12 g
- Cholesterol: ~40 mg