Description
If you’re on the hunt for a crowd-pleasing appetizer that’s both festive and effortless, these Easy Mini Meatball Skewers are a must-try. Juicy, bite-sized meatballs glazed with a sweet cranberry BBQ sauce bring bold flavor and visual appeal to your holiday table or any casual gathering. This easy recipe is perfect for those looking for quick party appetizers, holiday finger foods, or creative dinner ideas. Whether you’re serving them at a cocktail party or prepping a batch for family night, these skewers are a standout in the world of easy recipes, savory bites, and food ideas everyone loves.
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef (80/20 or beef-pork blend)
1/3 cup breadcrumbs (plain or Italian-style)
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 large egg
2 tablespoons milk
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped (or 1 tsp dried)
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
1 cup whole berry cranberry sauce
1/4 cup barbecue sauce
2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
Salt to taste
Fresh rosemary or parsley for garnish
20–24 cocktail skewers or toothpicks
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly grease it.
2. In a large bowl, combine ground meat, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, milk, garlic, onion powder, salt, pepper, parsley, and optional red pepper flakes. Mix gently.
3. Use a scoop or spoon to form 1 to 1.5-inch meatballs. Place evenly on the baking sheet.
4. Bake for 15–18 minutes until browned and cooked through (internal temp 160°F/71°C). Set aside.
5. In a saucepan, combine cranberry sauce, BBQ sauce, honey/maple syrup, mustard, and vinegar. Simmer 5–7 minutes until thickened.
6. Toss cooked meatballs in the warm glaze and simmer together for 2–3 minutes.
7. Insert skewers or toothpicks into each meatball. Plate them and drizzle with extra glaze. Garnish with fresh herbs.
Notes
To save time, you can prepare the meatballs a day ahead and bake just before serving.
Try grape jelly or apricot preserves instead of cranberry sauce for a different glaze twist.
Use a cookie scoop to ensure uniform size and even cooking across all meatballs.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 skewer
- Calories: 95
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 25mg