Slow Cooker Spicy Maple Meatballs combines the sweetness of maple syrup with the fiery kick of Sichuan chili crisp. This sweet hot combo makes for an addictively delicious treat. Whether you're looking for a show-stopping appetizer or an easy weeknight dinner that wows, this is your recipe!
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To make this simple maple meatball recipe you will need:
- meatballs fresh or frozen
- pure maple syrup*
- Sichuan Chili Crisp
- chili oil
- soy sauce (I use low sodium soy sauce)
- broccolini optional - but great if served as a meal
- potato starch - optional if you wish to thicken your glaze a bit.
💜Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Ease: This is one of those easy recipes you will want to make on repeat. Everything gets mixed together right in your crock pot. Perfect for your next party!
- Flavor: The sweet-spicy combination of maple syrup and chili crisp is irresistible.
- Flexibility: This maple meatball recipe goes everywhere from game day appetizer to fully plated main course to sandwich!
- Adoration: These meatballs will be loved by the whole family.
🔪Instructions
This great slow-cooker meatballs recipe involves just a few simple steps:
Preparing Your Slow Cooker
Prepare your slow cooker by coating it with a non-stick agent. Any nonstick cooking spray or oil will work. Olive oil and avocado oil are my go-to coatings.
NOTE: some slow cooker inserts come with a nonstick surface. Use of a non-stick agent is still suggested. However, oil is sometimes recommended rather than spray to protect the longevity of the non-stick surface. Check your slow cooker's manual if you have any concerns.
Alternatively, you can choose to use a slow cooker liner.
Cooking
- 👨🍳 Add all sauce ingredients into a greased slow cooker and stir to combine
- 👨🍳 Place meatballs into the sauce and toss to coat fully
- 👨🍳 Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours or high for 2-3 hours
- 👨🍳 Optional step to add broccolini to your meal: place uncooked stalks on top of meatballs about 30 minutes before serving time. Cover and allow to steam to desired tenderness.
- 👨🍳 When ready to serve, remove broccolini. Fully stir meatballs again to ensure they are well coated with sauce.
Optional Step:
If you would like a thicker glaze, stir potato starch, one tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is achieved. I usually use about 1-2 tablespoons with this recipe. The sauce will thicken pretty quickly. NOTE: Be careful not to add too much starch as the sauce will turn grainy.
🍽Serving suggestions
These slow cooker meatballs are great served many different ways including:
- Over a starch such as white or brown rice, mashed potatoes, or pasta
- Next to a vegetable such as broccolini, cauliflower, or mushrooms.
- On cocktail picks as a slow cooker cocktail meatballs appetizer (great for football season!).
- In a hoagie roll as a meatball sub.
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Fun Party Idea
Use skinny pretzel sticks in place of party pics for a fully edible appetizer.
🔁Substitutions
- One of my favorite things about these spicy meatballs is how easy they are to make. I am lazy so I often start with store-bought frozen meatballs. Fully cooked Italian meatballs are delicious with this sauce and great for busy nights. However, you can also use homemade meatballs!
- Green onions and sesame seeds are delicious garnishes.
- I usually use beef meatballs for this maple meatballs recipe. Chicken meatballs or turkey meatballs would both be a huge hit.
- As written, this recipe delivers medium heat. To dial down the spice level, reduce the amount of Sichuan Chili Crisp a bit. To make it even spicier, top with red pepper flakes.
- Do you love meatball appetizers? Try these other easy slow cooker recipes: Tahini meatballs, sweet chili sauce meatballs, honey bourbon meatballs, and enchilada meatballs.
Top Tip
I am a fan of pure maple syrup and use it exclusively in this recipe. It has more minerals and vitamins than pancake syrup and (in my opinion) better flavor.
Storing
- Store leftover meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for 3-4 days.
- Refreezing previously frozen cooked meatballs is not recommended. If you use a homemade meatball recipe to make your spicy party meatballs, this dish can be frozen. Be sure to use a freezer-safe container. Frozen meatballs will last for 3 - 4 months.
If you love this recipe...
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😉Hints & hacks
- If using homemade meatballs, an instant-read thermometer helps determine when meatballs are fully cooked through. When testing, be sure to place the thermometer in the center of the meatball. These delicious meatballs are safe to eat when they reach an internal temperature of 165℉.
- Easily make a double batch of this recipe by doubling all ingredients. Just make sure your slow cooker is large enough to hold it all. Cooking time may vary a bit.
- Use a slow cooker liner for easy clean-up. This is a fully optional step. I usually buy liners in bulk for the best per-piece price. However, if you plan to serve right out of the slow cooker, it will look nicer without a liner.
- In the market for a new slow cooker? I love mine!
- This is a great meal prep recipe. Add all ingredients, other than the meatballs, to a small container and blend mixture. Cover and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. When you are ready to cook, just add meatballs and already assembled sauce ingredients to your slow cooker.
- Always double check that your slow cooker is plugged in and turned on! There is nothing worse than a cold slow cooker come mealtime! 😟
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📖 Recipe
Slow Cooker Spicy Maple Meatballs
All nutrition information shown here is automatically generated and should be considered an estimate. If you follow a specific diet, please calculate your own values to ensure accuracy.
Equipment
- measuring cups and spoons
- meat thermometer optional
Ingredients
- 24 oz meatballs fresh or frozen
- ⅔ cup real maple syrup*
- ¼ cup Sichuan Chili Crisp
- 1 tablespoon chili oil
- 2 tablespoon soy sauce
- broccolini optional if serving as a meal
Instructions
- To a greased slow cooker, add ⅔ cup real maple syrup*, ¼ cup Sichuan Chili Crisp, 1 tablespoon chili oil, and 2 tablespoon soy sauce and stir to combine
- Add 24 oz meatballs and stir to fully coat with sauce
- Cover and cook on low heat for 4-6 hours or high heat for 2-3 hours
- Stir again before serving
- Optional: About 30 minutes prior to serving, add broccolini to top of meatballs and cover allowing the vegetable to steam.
- When broccolini is cooked to your liking, serve and enjoy!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
All nutrition information shown here is automatically generated and should be considered an estimate. If you follow a specific diet, please calculate your own values to ensure accuracy.
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