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Honey Garlic Meatball Bites

Deliciously glossy meatballs glazed in a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce perfect for any occasion. Easy to make and sure to impress your guests.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 24 meatballs
Course: Appetizer, Party Food
Cuisine: American, Asian
Calories: 85
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Meatballs
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 blend) Provides a robust flavor
  • ½ pound ground pork Adds moisture and tenderness
  • ½ cup panko breadcrumbs For binding and texture
  • ¼ cup milk Soak breadcrumbs for tenderness
  • 1 large egg Acts as a binder
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced Enhances the flavor
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes Optional for spice
For the Honey Garlic Sauce
  • ⅓ cup honey Sweetener for the sauce
  • ⅓ cup soy sauce Low sodium preferred
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch For thickening the sauce
  • 2 tablespoons water To mix with cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • ½ teaspoon ground ginger
For Garnish
  • 2 tablespoons sesame seeds For garnish
  • 2 green onions sliced thin
  • 1 pinch red pepper flakes Optional

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Soak the panko breadcrumbs in milk for 5 minutes.
  2. In a large bowl, combine ground beef and pork.
  3. Add soaked breadcrumbs, egg, minced garlic, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
  4. Mix gently by hand until just combined without overworking.
Shaping Meatballs
  1. Using a small cookie scoop or tablespoon, shape the meat mixture into 1 to 1.5-inch meatballs.
  2. Place the meatballs on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them about an inch apart.
Cooking Meatballs
  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Bake meatballs for 18-20 minutes until they are cooked through and lightly browned.
Making the Sauce
  1. In a small saucepan, combine honey and soy sauce, whisking until smooth.
  2. Add minced garlic, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and ground ginger, stirring over medium heat.
  3. Mix cornstarch with water to create a slurry and whisk into the simmering sauce.
  4. Cook the sauce for 2-3 minutes until thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
Glazing
  1. Transfer baked meatballs into a large bowl or clean skillet and pour the honey garlic sauce over them.
  2. Toss gently until all meatballs are coated.
Garnishing and Serving
  1. Sprinkle sesame seeds and sliced green onions over the glazed meatballs before serving.
  2. Serve warm with toothpicks for easy grabbing.

Notes

You can make these meatballs ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator or freeze for later use. They are perfect for parties and gatherings.