Put these mini cocktail meatballs on toothpicks for an appetizer everyone loves! Made in the slow cooker, these ground chicken meatballs use both grape jelly and BBQ sauce for terrific flavor in every bite. Slightly sticky, deliciously smoky, and so satisfying! Recipe yields about 60 mini meatballs.
Is it just me or are appetizers tough to come up with? There are so many options and sometimes I get sick of the same old stuff. Check out some of my best easy appetizer recipes if you’re feeling stuck. We’re spicing things up today and I’ve got a recipe that will become a quick favorite. The best part? It’s a set it and forget it slow cooker wonder!
Watch how easy they are to make
Ingredients in Slow Cooker BBQ Meatballs
Couldn’t be simpler, team! You’ll be combining everything, rolling it into tiny meatballs, and tossing them into the slow cooker. You’ll need…
- Ground chicken
- Egg
- Bread crumbs
- Spices! Use: salt, garlic powder, onion powder
- Barbecue sauce
- Grape jelly (yep!)
Maybe you think meatballs with grape jelly is weird, or maybe you’re totally on board. Either way, please trust me on this one. The jelly balances out the smoky BBQ sauce so nicely making the perfect cocktail meatballs.
How to make BBQ Meatballs in the Slow Cooker
You can assemble everything, toss it in the crockpot, and forget it until you’re ready to serve them to your friends and family. It only takes one bowl, too! Combine your ingredients, and as you form the meatballs, set them into the slow cooker. If you want a similar process with amazing results, you gotta try my Slow Cooker Turkey Meatballs.
What to Serve With BBQ Chicken Meatballs
I love these as an appetizer! Put them on a table with your favorite apps and everyone will be SO happy with your killer slow cooker skills. They’d be great as a side or main dish too, though! The sky is the limit! Serve them with:
- Mashed potatoes
- Mac and cheese
- Baked beans
- Sweet potato fries
…basically, any of your favorite BBQ dishes!
More Appetizers
- Spinach Peach Salsa
- Baked Puff Pastry Wrapped Brie with Fig Jam
- Slow Cooker Chicken Nachos
- Chicken Sausage Sweet Potato Bites
- Goat Cheese & Walnut Crostini
- Crispy Baked Chicken Wings
Slow Cooker Meatballs with Grape Jelly & BBQ Sauce
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: about 60 mini meatballs 1x
- Category: appetizer
- Method: Slow cooker
- Cuisine: American
Description
Put these mini cocktail meatballs on toothpicks for an appetizer everyone loves! Made in the slow cooker, these ground chicken meatballs use both grape jelly and BBQ sauce for terrific flavor in every bite. Slightly sticky, deliciously smoky, and so satisfying! Recipe yields about 60 mini meatballs.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground chicken
- 1 egg, beaten
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 ½ cups BBQ sauce (I used the Trader Joe’s brand but any kind works)
- ¾ cup grape jelly (can also use blackberry or blueberry jelly)
- Ranch dressing for dipping (optional)
Instructions
- Spray the bottom of a slow cooker and set aside. In a large bowl add the ground chicken, egg, breadcrumbs, salt, garlic powder and onion powder. Use a fork or clean hands and mix ingredients together until well combined.
- In a separate bowl mix together the BBQ sauce and jelly until well combined. Set aside.
- Use a mini ice cream scoop or spoon to scoop out about 1 tablespoon of the mixture. Use wet hands to form the meatballs and to help prevent them from sticking. Place formed meatballs into the bottom of the slow cooker. Once the mixture gets too sticky, wet your hands again and continue forming the meatballs.
- Once you have a single layer of meatballs on the bottom of the slow cooker, pour over a little of the BBQ sauce mixture. Continue forming the meatballs and place on a second layer on top of the sauce. Once all meatballs are formed, pour over the rest of the sauce.
- Cook on LOW for 2 hours, stirring about half way through. Serve with toothpicks and a side of ranch.
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Comments
Caitlin
I made this as an appetizer and they were a hit! It was my first time making meatballs and it was almost too easy! I used blueberry preserves and panko breadcrumbs. Definitely coming back to try the turkey meatballs next!
★★★★★
Laney Schwartz
Yay!! You’ll love the turkey meatballs too!
Wendy
Ayyyyy! Divina receta ???. Hace relativamente poco tiempo que he descubierto las slow cooker y ya no cocino con ollas convencionales.
Necesito que por favor me conteste una pregunta. La gelatina, Debe ser gelatina hecha ó en polvos?. Quisiera hacer la receta igual, igual . Puede parecer una pregunta estúpida pero nosotros como mucho usamos gelatina sin sabor ó agar agar; usar en comida salada gelatina con sabor, es nuevo para mí. La gelatina con sabor solo se come cuando estás enfermo y a los niños. Yo, tengo 60 años y la hago porque me encanta, es un postre delicioso, sano y sin apenas calorías.
Querida, desde antemano, gracias por la respuesta. Buena semana. ??? Saludos
★★★★★
Lori
Definitely have to try this. Can this be converted to an instant pot recipe?!
★★★★★
Life is but a Dish
yes but it might get the burn notification bc of the BBQ sauce
Susan
Can’t wait to make these for the big game on Sunday!
★★★★★
Jen
Super easy to make! Delicious. The whole family loved it.
★★★★★