Easy Firecracker Chicken Meatballs
Juicy chicken meatballs coated in a spicy-sweet firecracker sauce, perfect for dinner or as an appetizer.
Equipment
- Air fryer For cooking the meatballs evenly and quickly.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp minced chives optional but recommended
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 3 tsp black pepper
- 1 2 smoked paprika
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 2 lbs ground chicken
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 2 Parmesan cheese, shredded
- 2 tbsp minced parsley optional, for garnish
Firecracker Sauce
- 3 4 light brown sugar, packed
- 1 2 hot sauce Frank's recommended
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1 2 garlic powder
- 1 2 kosher salt use less if your soy sauce is regular
- 1 2 red pepper flakes
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, combine the brown sugar, hot sauce, apple cider vinegar, soy sauce, garlic powder, kosher salt, and red pepper flakes. Cook over medium heat, stirring often, until the sauce is well combined and thickened, about 7-10 minutes. If the sauce thickens too much, add a teaspoon of water at a time until you reach your desired consistency. Remove from heat and let cool.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the olive oil, minced garlic, chives, salt, onion powder, black pepper, smoked paprika, and beaten eggs until well combined.
- Add the ground chicken, panko breadcrumbs, and Parmesan cheese to the bowl. Use your hands to gently mix everything together, being careful not to overmix.
- Set your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- Using a cookie scoop or your hands, form the mixture into meatballs about 2 inches in diameter.
- Spray the air fryer basket with nonstick cooking spray. Place the meatballs in a single layer in the basket.
- Air fry the meatballs at 400°F for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, use tongs to flip the meatballs, spray them again with oil, and air fry for an additional 5-7 minutes, or until an instant-read thermometer reads 165°F.
- Remove the meatballs from the air fryer and dip each one in the firecracker sauce. Return the glazed meatballs to the air fryer basket and air fry for an additional 2 minutes.
- Remove the meatballs from the air fryer and serve with any remaining sauce. If desired, sprinkle with minced parsley for garnish.
Notes
For a milder sauce, reduce the amount of hot sauce and red pepper flakes. You can serve these meatballs with rice, pasta, or on their own as a tasty appetizer! No alcoholic drinks allowed, please substitute with a non-alcoholic option.