Meatball appetizers

Enjoy these delicious and easy-to-make meatball skewers appetizers with your family and friends!

Meatball skewers appetizers are an excellent choice when you are looking to serve a tasty and satisfying snack that is sure to please a crowd. They are quick and easy to prepare, and perfect for any occasion where you want to offer your guests a delicious and enjoyable finger food.

Perfect party appetizers

Meatball skewers appetizers are versatile and can be served for a variety of occasions, including:

Parties and gatherings: Meatball skewers make a great finger food for parties and gatherings, whether it's a birthday party, game day event, or holiday celebration.

Appetizer platters: You can include meatball skewers as part of an appetizer platter alongside other savory snacks like cheese and crackers, vegetables and dip, and charcuterie.

Potlucks and picnics: Meatball skewers can be a great addition to a potluck or picnic, where you can easily transport them and serve them cold or at room temperature.

Cocktail hour: Meatball skewers can be a great appetizer for a cocktail hour or happy hour event, where guests can enjoy a savory bite to eat along with their drinks.

Family dinners: Meatball skewers can be a fun and interactive way to enjoy a family dinner, especially if you have kids who enjoy eating food off of skewers.

Overall, meatball skewers appetizers are a great option for any occasion where you want to serve a delicious and crowd-pleasing snack that's easy to make and enjoyable to eat.

This was inspired by my other party favorites: Cheese puff pastry on this site, and pairs well with this Ginger honey lemonade.

Jump to:

• Perfect party appetizers
• Reasons why meatballs are perfect Party appetizers
• Ingredients you will need for meatball appetizers
• Instructions to make meatball appetizers
• Substitutions
• Variations of meatball appetizers
• Equipment
• My favorite kitchen tools
• Storage
• Top tips to make meatball appetizers
• FAQ
• Related recipes
• Recipe

Reasons why meatballs are perfect Party appetizers

• Easy to make: Meatballs are simple and easy to prepare, making them a great option for party appetizers that won't take up too much time in the kitchen.
• Easy to serve: Meatballs can be arranged on a platter, making them easy to serve and allowing guests to help themselves. This frees up the host to socialize and enjoy the party.
• Can be made in advance: Meatballs can be made ahead of time and reheated when it's time to serve, making them a convenient option for parties and gatherings.
• Crowd-pleaser: Almost everyone loves meatballs, so they are a surefire way to please your guests and ensure that everyone has something to snack on.
• Versatile: Meatballs can be made with a variety of different meats and spices, making them versatile enough to suit any taste preference.
• Portable: Meatballs can be served on toothpicks or skewers, making them easy to pick up and eat on the go, which is perfect for a party atmosphere.

Ingredients you will need for meatball appetizers

Here are the ingredients you will need for meatball skewers appetizers:

For meatballs

• Ground beef or a mixture of beef and pork
• Onion, finely chopped
• Garlic, minced
• Eggs
• Bread crumbs or soaked bread
• Milk
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Fresh parsley, chopped
• Oil for frying

Meatball skewers

• Mini meatballs
• Cherry tomatoes
• Bocconcini cheese

Platter decoration

• black olives
• sliced pickles
• pickled artichoke hearts
• dill

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions to make meatball appetizers

Prepare meatballs

STEP 1: Combine meatball ingredients - In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, egg, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix well with your hands.

STEP 2: Roll meatballs - Roll the mixture into small, bite-sized meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter.

STEP 3: Fry meatballs - Fry the meatballs in oil in a large frying pan. Once the meatballs are cooked, remove them from the pan and let them cool on a plate covered with paper towel.

Assemble meatball skewers

Thread the meatballs, cherry tomatoes, and bocconcini cheese onto the skewers, alternating between the ingredients.

Plate meatball skewers

Serve the skewers on a platter and garnish with additional black olives, pickled artichoke hearts, sliced pickles and garnish with dill or parsley if desired.

Enjoy these delicious and easy-to-make meatball skewers appetizers with your family and friends!

Substitutions

There are several substitutions you can make for meatball skewers appetizers if you prefer different ingredients or dietary restrictions. Here are a few ideas:

• Vegetarian option: Use vegetarian meatballs made with soy, lentils, or other plant-based proteins instead of beef or pork.
• Vegan option: Use vegan meatballs and skip the bocconcini cheese, or use a dairy-free cheese alternative.
• Chicken option: Use mini chicken meatballs instead of beef or pork.
• Fish option: Use mini salmon or tuna meatballs instead of beef or pork.
• Vegetable option: Use grilled or roasted vegetables, such as zucchini, eggplant, or bell peppers, instead of meatballs. You can also add marinated mushrooms or artichoke hearts for extra flavor.
• Cheese option: Use cubed or sliced cheese, such as cheddar, gouda, or feta, instead of meatballs. Skewer them with cherry tomatoes and fresh basil leaves for a colorful and tasty appetizer.

Variations of meatball appetizers

There are several variations you can try for meatball skewers appetizers to add variety to your menu. Here are a few ideas:

• Asian-inspired: Use teriyaki or sweet chili sauce to glaze the meatballs and skewer them with pineapple chunks and green onions.
• Italian-inspired: Use mozzarella cheese instead of bocconcini and skewer with cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze.
• Greek-inspired: Use feta cheese instead of bocconcini and skewer with cherry tomatoes, cucumber chunks, and kalamata olives. Serve with tzatziki sauce for dipping.
• Mexican-inspired: Use a blend of ground beef and chorizo sausage for the meatballs and skewer with mini peppers and red onion. Serve with a chipotle mayo dipping sauce.
• Mediterranean-inspired: Use ground lamb instead of beef or pork and skewer with cherry tomatoes, marinated artichoke hearts, and grilled eggplant. Serve with a lemon-garlic yogurt sauce.
• Breakfast-inspired: Use mini breakfast sausage meatballs and skewer with mini pancakes or waffles and maple syrup for dipping.
• Surf and turf-inspired: Skewer mini beef or pork meatballs with grilled shrimp and cherry tomatoes. Serve with a garlic butter dipping sauce.

Equipment

To make meatball skewers appetizers, you will need the following equipment:

• Mixing bowl
• Skewers (either metal or wooden, if using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes prior to use to prevent burning)
• Frying pan or griddle
• Tongs
• Serving platter or plate

Optional equipment:

• Food processor or blender (if making homemade meatballs and need to blend ingredients)
• Ice cream scoop or cookie scoop (to ensure uniform size and shape of meatballs)
• Grill (if grilling the meatballs instead of frying)

My favorite kitchen tools

The equipment section may contain affiliate links to products we know and love.

Appetizer toothpicks

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skillet

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Knife

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Storage

To store meatball skewers appetizers, allow them to cool to room temperature and then transfer them to an airtight container or resealable plastic bag. Store the meatball skewers in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

Additionally if you need to store them for longer, you can freeze only the meatballs for up to 2-3 months. To freeze, place the cooled meatball in a freezer-safe container or bag, making sure to remove as much air as possible before sealing.

When ready to serve, thaw the meatball in the refrigerator overnight and reheat in the oven or microwave until warmed through.

FAQ

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