Description
These Easy Firecracker Meatballs are juicy, savory, and bursting with bold flavor. Loaded with garlic, ginger, scallions, and chili flakes, and coated in a creamy, spicy-sweet Firecracker Sauce, they’re perfect for meal prep, weeknight dinners, or game day bites!
Ingredients
For the Firecracker Meatballs:
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20 oz ground beef (80/20)
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2 tablespoons sesame seeds, divided
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4 cloves garlic, minced
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1 cup panko breadcrumbs
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1 tablespoon fresh ginger, chopped
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2 tablespoons Italian parsley, chopped
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3 scallions, white and green parts separated and chopped
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2 teaspoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
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Salt and black pepper to taste
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2 teaspoons crushed red chili flakes
For the Firecracker Sauce:
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4 tablespoons mayonnaise
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4 tablespoons sour cream
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4 teaspoons honey
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2 teaspoons sriracha sauce (or more for heat)
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2 teaspoons soy sauce
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
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Make the meatball mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, 1 tablespoon sesame seeds, garlic, ginger, panko breadcrumbs, parsley, white parts of scallions, soy sauce, salt, pepper, and chili flakes. Mix until just combined—don’t overwork it.
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Form meatballs: Roll mixture into 1½-inch meatballs and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
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Bake: Bake for 15–18 minutes, or until browned and cooked through (internal temp 160°F).
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Mix the sauce: While meatballs are baking, stir together all Firecracker Sauce ingredients in a small bowl. Adjust heat to taste with more sriracha if desired.
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Toss & serve: Once the meatballs are done, toss them in the sauce or serve it on the side for dipping. Garnish with remaining sesame seeds and green parts of scallions.
Notes
These meatballs are great with rice, noodles, or wrapped in lettuce leaves for a low-carb option.
Make them ahead and refrigerate or freeze—just reheat and toss in sauce when ready to serve.
Swap ground beef for ground chicken or turkey for a lighter version.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Keywords: firecracker meatballs, spicy meatballs, Asian meatball recipe, easy meatball dinner, meal prep meatballs