Firecracker Meatballs

meatballs on blue plate with rice and green beans

Print Recipe

5 from 29 votes

Meatballs with Asian inspired flavors tossed in a creamy spicy sauce.

Prep Time10

Cook Time15

Total Time25

Course: Appetizer, Main Course

Cuisine: American, Asian

Servings:

Calories: 230kcal

Author: Star Anastasia

Ingredients

Firecracker Meatballs

1 lb lean ground chicken
1 tbsp finely minced ginger see notes*
2 tsp low sodium soy sauce
1 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp smoked paprika
1 tbsp sriracha sauce
1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs do not use fine bread crumbs
3 tbsp green onions, whites finely minced about 2 green onions, dice the green parts for optional garnish
1/2 tsp kosher salt

Firecracker Sauce

3 tbsp mayo (I use Dukes made with olive oil for a lighter version)
5 tbsp light sour cream
2 tbsp water (add more 1 tbsp at a time as needed)
1 tbsp sriracha hot sauce
1 tsp honey
1/4 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp low sodium soy sauce
1/4 tsp smoked paprika

Instructions

Sauce

In a small bowl add all of the ingredients for the firecracker sauce together and whisk together until mixed well. Adjust taste with salt, pepper, and sriracha for spice level. Cover and set in fridge while you prepare and cook meatballs.

Meatballs

In a large bowl add ground chicken, ginger, minced green onion whites, breadcrumbs, soy sauce, garlic powder, kosher salt, smoked paprika, sriracha. With clean hands, mix meat together SUPER well. I usually hand mix for about 45 seconds. Take care to not over mix as this can result in tough meatballs.
Form eighteen meatballs about one ounce each.
Tip: when forming meatballs spray hands with olive oil cooking spray or keep a dish of water to wet your hands every so often. This makes forming the meatball easier and won't stick. More meatball making tips in post.
Oven instructions: Preheat oven to 425. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Add meatballs, leaving space between each one, spray tops with cooking spray. Cook for 14-15 minutes, turning once halfway through cooking time.
Air Fryer Instructions: Preheat at 400 for 5 minutes. Spray basket with cooking spray. Add meatballs leaving space between. Cook for 9 minutes. Shaking the basket halfway through cooking time. You may need to cook in batches depending on size of air fryer.
Serve meatballs with firecracker sauce. We like to toss the meatballs in a little sauce or drizzle it on top. Then, garnish with toasted sesame seeds, diced green onions, and red pepper flakes for an extra kick.
Store meatballs and sauce separately in airtight containers for 4-5 days in an airtight container.

Notes

Serving size: 4–5 meatballs with 2 tbsp sauce

Firecracker Meatballs nutrition/ww points breakdown

18 meatballs total (about 1oz each)
10 tablespoons Firecracker sauce total (1-2 tablespoons sauce is plenty to toss with 4-5 meatballs) If I'm making a rice bowl- I tend to have 4-5 meatballs tossed with 1-2 tablespoons of sauce and add a vegetable too.

Each meatball: 44 calories, 2g fat, 0g saturated fat, 1g carbohydrates, 0g fiber, 0g sugar (0g added sugar, 0g sugar alcohols), 1g net carbs, 4.6g protein
WW Points: 1

1 tablespoon Firecracker sauce: 26 calories, 2g fat, 0.5g saturated fat, 75g sodium, 1g carbohydrates, 0g sugar (0g added sugar, 0g sugar alcohol) 0.5g protein
WW Points: 1

Ginger- You can use ginger paste (found in the produce section), about one thumb (aka inch) of fresh ginger finely minced, OR you can also use the frozen ginger cubes found in the freezer section.

Nutrition