Buffalo turkey meatballs are a tasty appetizer with tons of flavor. They are oven-baked and coated in homemade buffalo sauce.
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Baked turkey meatballs are a great hors d'oeuvre when entertaining. They are low-carb, making it an excellent keto appetizer idea. Turkey is a rich source of protein.
These meatballs can be served with blue cheese or ranch dressing for dipping. For a delicious homemade ranch, try avocado lime ranch dressing.
If you're looking for more buffalo recipes, try these buffalo chicken thighs or this Instant Pot buffalo chicken dip.
Ingredients
You will be familiar with all of these ingredients.
For the meatballs:
- lean ground turkey
- bread crumbs
- onion
- grated parmesan cheese (shaker cheese)
- fresh parsley
- egg
- garlic
- Worcestershire sauce
- salt
- ground black pepper
- dried basil
- dried oregano
- olive oil
For the buffalo sauce:
- butter
- hot sauce (like Frank's RedHot Original)
- Worcestershire sauce
- garlic powder
See the recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Spray a wire rack with nonstick cooking spray and set it onto a rimmed baking sheet. Line the baking sheet with foil for easy cleanup.
In a large bowl, combine all of the meatball ingredients except the olive oil.
Using your hands, mix until fully combined. Shape the mixture into 1-½ inch balls, rolling the raw meat between your palms to create the meatballs. There will be about 20 meatballs.
Arrange meatballs on the wire rack and brush with olive oil.
Tip: If you don't have a basting brush, you can use paper towels or your fingers for even coating.
Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the meatballs reach a minimum internal temperature of 165°F.
Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, melt the butter on medium-low heat. Once melted, whisk in the hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic powder, until combined. Keep warm on low heat until the meatballs are ready.
Tip: Do not heat the buffalo sauce mixture on high heat. This can cause the butter in the sauce to split from the hot sauce.
When the meatballs are done, coat the meatballs in sauce either in the saucepan or using a basting brush to brush the sauce over top, rotating the meatballs until they are evenly coated.
Food safety tip: If you reuse your basting brush, wash it after it comes into contact with raw meat before using it on the cooked meatballs.
Garnish with parsley and serve with blue cheese or ranch dressing (optional).
Mild Version
To make the sauce mild:
- Use half the amount of hot sauce
- Add 2 tablespoons of tomato sauce from a can
Canned tomato sauce can be found on the same aisle as diced tomatoes and crushed tomatoes.
Top Tip
Baking the meatballs on the wire rack helps the meatballs hold their round shape instead of developing a flat bottom.
Equipment
- Baking sheet: You will want a rimmed baking sheet.
- Wire rack: This helps keep the meatballs round while baking.
- Aluminum foil: Foil makes for easy cleanup.
- Large mixing bowl: You need a mixing bowl to mix the meat.
- Basting brush: To coat the meatballs in olive oil and buffalo sauce.
- Small sauce pan: For making the buffalo sauce.
📖 Recipe
Buffalo Turkey Meatballs
Ingredients
For the meatballs
- 1 pound 93% lean ground turkey
- ½ cup bread crumbs
- ⅓ cup onion minced
- ⅓ cup grated parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup fresh parsley finely chopped
- 1 large egg
- 1 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon dried basil
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- 1-½ tablespoons olive oil
For the buffalo sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter unsalted
- ¼ cup hot sauce
- ¼ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Spray a wire rack with nonstick cooking spray and set it onto a rimmed baking sheet. Line the baking sheet with foil for easy cleanup.
- In a large bowl, combine all of the meatball ingredients except the olive oil.
- Using your hands, mix until fully combined. Shape the mixture into 1-½ inch balls. There will be about 20 meatballs.
- Arrange meatballs on the wire rack and brush with olive oil.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the meatballs reach a minimum internal temperature of 165°F.
- Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, melt the butter on medium-low heat. Once melted, whisk in the hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic powder, until combined. Keep warm on low heat until the meatballs are ready.
- When the meatballs are done, coat the meatballs in sauce either in the saucepan or using a basting brush to brush the sauce over top, rotating the meatballs until they are evenly coated.
- Garnish with parsley and serve with blue cheese or ranch dressing (optional).
Notes
Nutrition
Food safety
Food safety is always important, especially when working with raw meat.
- Cook the meatballs to a minimum intenral temperature of 165°F (74°C)
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
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