Sweet & Spicy Meatballs – Football Friday

Sweet & Spicy Meatballs – only 4 ingredients! A little sweet, a little spicy, a whole lotta good! They taste great dipped in a little Ranch dressing. Frozen meatballs, brown sugar, buffalo sauce, and butter. Ready to eat in 20 minutes. Can also slow cook in the crockpot. Great for tailgating, potlucks, and holiday parties! #appetizer #partyfood #tailgating #meatballs #gameday

meatballs in a baking dish

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Sweet & Spicy Buffalo Meatballs

Are you ready for the weekend? Boy, I sure am!! Bring on ALL the football and bring on these Sweet and Spicy Buffalo Meatballs! A little sweet, a little spicy, and a whole lotta yummy. These meatballs are perfect for watching all the games this weekend or even a quick lunch/dinner. Throw some frozen french fries in the air fryer and you are set! We like to dip the meatballs in Ranch dressing. Try them dipped in my Jalapeño Ranch Dip if you want to kick it up a notch! Either way, these meatballs are sure to score a touchdown at your next party!

close up of meatballs

How to Make Sweet & Spicy Meatballs

With only 4 ingredients they are a snap to make. Start by combining hot sauce, brown sugar, and butter in a large Dutch Oven. Add frozen meatballs and let them cook for about 20 to 25 minutes on medium-high heat. SO easy.

  • I used Frank’s hot sauce. You can use Frank’s Wing Sauce or Crystals. Any brand of hot sauce you like is just fine.
  • These meatballs aren’t really spicy. There is just a hint of heat. If you want spicer meatballs, just increase the amount of hot sauce in the sauce mixture or add some cayenne pepper.
  • I used premade frozen meatballs in this recipe. There is no need to thaw them before cooking. You can also make your own meatballs if you prefer.
  • I buy the smaller 1/2-ounce meatballs. Feel free to use larger meatballs if you prefer.
  • Can I make Sweet & Spicy Meatballs in the Crockpot? Yes! Just dump all the ingredients in the crockpot and let them cook on LOW for a couple of hours. Keep the meatballs in the slow cooker during the party and they will stay nice and warm.
  • If serving as a main dish, serve over rice or mashed potatoes.
meatballs in a baking dish

Meatballs are Great for a Crowd

These Sweet & Spicy Buffalo Meatballs are always a hit at our tailgates and football parties. They are also great for potlucks and holiday parties. Here are a few of our favorite recipes from the blog to finish off your party spread:

Crack Sausage Balls

Crack Sausage Balls – cream cheese sausage balls loaded with cheddar, bacon, and ranch. Seriously the BEST sausage balls you’ll…

baking dish of meatballs

Sweet & Spicy Meatballs

Yield: 12 people
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Sweet & Spicy Meatballs – only 4 ingredients! A little sweet, a little spicy, a whole lotta good! They taste great dipped in a little Ranch dressing. Frozen meatballs, brown sugar, buffalo sauce, and butter. Ready to eat in 20 minutes. Can also slow cook in the crockpot. Great for tailgating, potlucks, and holiday parties! #appetizer #partyfood #tailgating #meatballs #gameday

Ingredients:

  • 2- lb. frozen meatballs, 1/2-oz size
  • cups brown sugar
  • ½ cup hot sauce
  • 2 Tbsp butter
  • 2 Tbsp water, optional

Instructions:

  • In a Dutch Oven or large saucepan over medium heat, combine brown sugar, hot sauce, water, and butter. Cook until the sugar has dissolved.
  • Add frozen meatballs to Dutch Oven and cook on medium-low for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring often.

Notes:

I used Frank’s hot sauce. You can use Frank’s Wing Sauce or Crystals. Any brand of hot sauce you like is just fine.
These meatballs aren’t really spicy. There is just a hint of heat. If you want spicer meatballs, just increase the amount of hot sauce in the sauce mixture or add some cayenne pepper.
I used premade frozen meatballs in this recipe. There is no need to thaw them before cooking. You can also make your own meatballs if you prefer.
I buy the smaller 1/2-ounce meatballs. Feel free to use larger meatballs if you prefer.
You can make Sweet & Spicy Meatballs in the Crockpot. Just dump all the ingredients in the crockpot and let them cook on LOW for a couple of hours. Keep the meatballs in the slow cooker during the party and they will stay nice and warm.
If serving as a main dish, serve over rice or mashed potatoes.

Steph

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Pin this recipe to your favorite board now to remember it later!

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collage of 2 photos of meatballs
meatballs in a baking dish
close up of meatballs

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Comments

  1. Best Meatballs Ever!!! These are so quick, easy and delicious. My family didn’t stop until they were gone. So much better than those grape jelly meatballs. Love all your recipes! Keep posting those wonderful recipes.

  2. Hi Steph! I got recruited to help with a party and needed a last minute appetizer. Saw this recipe come up and decided to give it a try. Doubled the recipe and made it in the crockpot and let it sit at the party. HUGE HIT!!! Only 3 meatballs left over! Thanks for a great and easy recipe!

    1. These were probably the easiest thing to make besides boiling water! So yummy and everyone loved trying something new! I will be making these again!

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