These easy Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Meatballs are my favorite game day appetizer! Mostly because they're BAKED! I used Frank's RedHot sauce and a secret ingredient that will have people RAVING for hours! The spicy sweet flavors are always a winner and you don't have to worry about reheating them with a slow cooker!
*Check out my other slow cooker appetizers!
Buffalo sauce and tailgating. Is there a better combination?
I think not.
If you love buffalo sauce as much as me, you have to try my Air Fryer Brown Sugar Buffalo Shrimp! They are a family favorite. If you want something low in carbs, then try my Buffalo Chicken Sweet Potato Rounds for a unique twist on buffalo wings.
This recipe for buffalo chicken meatballs is as simple as it gets and pretty foolproof! I love how I can make them in advance and serve them in a crockpot which keeps them warm for hours without drying out.
Serve with mini toothpicks for a fun skewered appetizer everyone will love noshing on!
Throwing a football party? Check out these easy Super Bowl Tablescape food and decor ideas!
Ingredient Tips
The ingredients are super simple and very straightforward. I do include one secret ingredient that I think is a MUST.
- Hot Sauce- I love Frank's RedHot Sauce. It is found in any food store around here and the perfect consistency for this sauce.
- Brown Sugar- YES!! This is my secret ingredient. It adds a deeper flavor than honey or sugar but if you don't have it on hand, you can replace it with either of those two swaps.
- Ground Chicken- You can also use ground turkey, beef or pork.
- Butter- All buffalo sauces have butter in them. If you don't like sauces too spicy, add more butter. If you want them more spicy, use less.
- Scallions/Chives- The fresh ingredient aspect is so important in this appetizer. Sprinkle some freshly chopped herbs on top and it immediately brightens the dish while adding a pop of flavor.
Instructions
Step 1: Combine all ingredients in a large bowl.
Step 2: Scoop out meatballs using a mini ice cream scoop and roll in between your hands.
Step 3: Place on a baking sheet or sheet pan lined with parchment paper and bake according to instructions.
Step 4: When meatballs are slightly cooled, add cooked meatballs to a Crock Pot and toss in the buffalo sauce. Set to warm and serve as needed.
Thickening your sauce
So most buffalo sauces are made with hot sauce and butter. And as the butter cools, it solidifies which naturally thickens your sauce. However, you need a lot of butter to do this which isn't very healthy. Plus, if your keeping these warm in your slow cooker, the sauce will be hot.
So the best way to thicken a buffalo sauce is to add some cornstarch. What I did was as a little but to the hot sauce, butter and brown sugar mixture. Then I simmered it for a little over the stove before pouring over top of my meatballs. If you leave out the cornstarch, the sauce will be delicious but the consistency will be too thin.
Expert Tips
- Use a mini ice cream scooper to roll balls evenly and consistent in size.
- Prevent dry meatballs by not overcooking them. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.
- To get perfectly rounded meatballs, pop your meatballs in the freezer for 30 minutes, until the harden a bit, then re-roll them.
- Replace the honey for the brown sugar if you prefer.
If you love using your crock pot, check out these Easy Crock Pot Appetizers to serve at your party!
Can I Make These In My Slow Cooker?
So the rule when it comes to cooking meatballs in a slow cooker is pretty standard across the board. Unless you pre-cook them for at least 5 minutes, they will stick to each other. If you lay them flat and spaced apart, you may be able to get away with placing them in completely raw but then your limiting the amount of meatballs you can prepare.
So if you want to keep this warm in your slow cooker, you still can!
To do that, bake your meatballs in the oven FIRST. Then transfer them on over to your slow cooker set on warm. This way, you can add everything to your crock pot including the buffalo sauce and without sticking!
Check out these other meatball appetizers you'll love.
Can I Freeze These To Make Ahead of Time?
Yes!
What I do, is bake a large batch of the meatballs at once maybe 2-3 lbs. of chicken, freeze them, then pull them out Sunday morning (or whenever you want) and throw them in the slow cooker with the brown sugar buffalo sauce! By the time the game starts, the meatballs are perfectly warmed through. You want to give them about 90 minutes to defrost.
Can I Make These Using FROZEN Meatballs?
The flavors of these meatballs pair well with my sauce so I don't recommend it. However, if you love the sauce, you can add it to any kind of meatballs.
Check out this list of frozen meatball appetizers you may like better!
Check out these other delicious game day appetizers!
Maple Bacon Wrapped Pork Bites with Dipping Sauce
Disco Fries (Gravy Mozzarella Cheese Fries)
Puff Pastry Sausage Pigs in a Blanket
Fried Red Tomatoes (with Red Pepper Basil Aioli)
Hatfield Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Nachos
Sausage Balls Without Bisquick Pancake Mix
📲 Say hi on social!! 👋 Follow me on facebook, instagram, pinterest, youtube or tiktok for more recipes and entertaining tips!
📖 Recipe
Buffalo Chicken Meatballs (Crock Pot)
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 1 lb. Ground Chicken (or turkey)
- 1 Stick Finely Chopped Celery
- ¼ Cup Grated Onion
- 1 Large Egg
- ½ Tsp. Salt
- ¼ Tsp. Pepper
- ¼ Cup Instant Tapioca ((OR substitute ¾ cup GF bread crumbs))
Brown Sugar Buffalo Sauce
- ½ Cup Hot Sauce
- ⅓ Cup Brown Sugar
- ½ Stick Salted Butter
- 1 tablespoon Cornstarch
Instructions
- Option 1: Add all meatball ingredients in a bowl and mix until combined.Option 2: If you don't feel like chopping the celery or grating the onion, add everything but the meat and tapioca to a food processor and pulse until pureed. Then add to meat and tapioca in large bowl to the puree and mix until combined.
- Using a mini ice cream scoop (about 1 oz.) for consistency, scoop meatballs onto large greased baking sheet and bake at 375° F for 12-15 minutes on middle rack, (I do not turn them but you can halfway if you want more even browning.)
- Meanwhile, add the melted butter, hot sauce, brown sugar and cornstarch to a small saucepan and simmer over medium heat until thickened. (about 5 minutes)
- When meatballs are done, toss them in your Crock Pot along with the sauce while hot. Set to warm and serve as needed.
- Serve with blue cheese or ranch dressing on the side! Skewers are optional!
Recipe Notes
- Place skewers/toothpicks in a small shot glass and allow guests to grab them as they please!
- These freeze well so make ahead of time, allow to cool, and place in plastic bag or Tupperware until you need them! Then just warm up in a 350 F oven OR throw the cooked meatballs straight from the freezer in a crock-pot, add sauce and turn on "warm"!
Nutrition
These easy Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Meatballs are my favorite game day appetizer! Mostly because they're BAKED! I used Frank's RedHot sauce and a secret ingredient that will have people RAVING for hours! The spicy sweet flavors are always a winner and you don't have to worry about reheating them with a slow cooker!
*Check out my other slow cooker appetizers!
Buffalo sauce and tailgating. Is there a better combination?
I think not.
If you love buffalo sauce as much as me, you have to try my Air Fryer Brown Sugar Buffalo Shrimp! They are a family favorite. If you want something low in carbs, then try my Buffalo Chicken Sweet Potato Rounds for a unique twist on buffalo wings.
This recipe for buffalo chicken meatballs is as simple as it gets and pretty foolproof! I love how I can make them in advance and serve them in a crockpot which keeps them warm for hours without drying out.
Serve with mini toothpicks for a fun skewered appetizer everyone will love noshing on!
Throwing a football party? Check out these easy Super Bowl Tablescape food and decor ideas!
Ingredient Tips
The ingredients are super simple and very straightforward. I do include one secret ingredient that I think is a MUST.
- Hot Sauce- I love Frank's RedHot Sauce. It is found in any food store around here and the perfect consistency for this sauce.
- Brown Sugar- YES!! This is my secret ingredient. It adds a deeper flavor than honey or sugar but if you don't have it on hand, you can replace it with either of those two swaps.
- Ground Chicken- You can also use ground turkey, beef or pork.
- Butter- All buffalo sauces have butter in them. If you don't like sauces too spicy, add more butter. If you want them more spicy, use less.
- Scallions/Chives- The fresh ingredient aspect is so important in this appetizer. Sprinkle some freshly chopped herbs on top and it immediately brightens the dish while adding a pop of flavor.
Instructions
Step 1: Combine all ingredients in a large bowl.
Step 2: Scoop out meatballs using a mini ice cream scoop and roll in between your hands.
Step 3: Place on a baking sheet or sheet pan lined with parchment paper and bake according to instructions.
Step 4: When meatballs are slightly cooled, add cooked meatballs to a Crock Pot and toss in the buffalo sauce. Set to warm and serve as needed.
Thickening your sauce
So most buffalo sauces are made with hot sauce and butter. And as the butter cools, it solidifies which naturally thickens your sauce. However, you need a lot of butter to do this which isn't very healthy. Plus, if your keeping these warm in your slow cooker, the sauce will be hot.
So the best way to thicken a buffalo sauce is to add some cornstarch. What I did was as a little but to the hot sauce, butter and brown sugar mixture. Then I simmered it for a little over the stove before pouring over top of my meatballs. If you leave out the cornstarch, the sauce will be delicious but the consistency will be too thin.
Expert Tips
- Use a mini ice cream scooper to roll balls evenly and consistent in size.
- Prevent dry meatballs by not overcooking them. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.
- To get perfectly rounded meatballs, pop your meatballs in the freezer for 30 minutes, until the harden a bit, then re-roll them.
- Replace the honey for the brown sugar if you prefer.
Can I Make These In My Slow Cooker?
So the rule when it comes to cooking meatballs in a slow cooker is pretty standard across the board. Unless you pre-cook them for at least 5 minutes, they will stick to each other. If you lay them flat and spaced apart, you may be able to get away with placing them in completely raw but then your limiting the amount of meatballs you can prepare.
So if you want to keep this warm in your slow cooker, you still can!
To do that, bake your meatballs in the oven FIRST. Then transfer them on over to your slow cooker set on warm. This way, you can add everything to your crock pot including the buffalo sauce and without sticking!
Check out these other meatball appetizers you'll love.
Can I Freeze These To Make Ahead of Time?
Yes!
What I do, is bake a large batch of the meatballs at once maybe 2-3 lbs. of chicken, freeze them, then pull them out Sunday morning (or whenever you want) and throw them in the slow cooker with the brown sugar buffalo sauce! By the time the game starts, the meatballs are perfectly warmed through. You want to give them about 90 minutes to defrost.
Can I Make These Using FROZEN Meatballs?
The flavors of these meatballs pair well with my sauce so I don't recommend it. However, if you love the sauce, you can add it to any kind of meatballs.
Check out this list of frozen meatball appetizers you may like better!
Check out these other delicious game day appetizers!
Maple Bacon Wrapped Pork Bites with Dipping Sauce
Disco Fries (Gravy Mozzarella Cheese Fries)
Puff Pastry Sausage Pigs in a Blanket
Fried Red Tomatoes (with Red Pepper Basil Aioli)
Hatfield Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Nachos
Sausage Balls Without Bisquick Pancake Mix
📲 Say hi on social!! 👋 Follow me on facebook, instagram, pinterest, youtube or tiktok for more recipes and entertaining tips!
📖 Recipe
Buffalo Chicken Meatballs (Crock Pot)
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 1 lb. Ground Chicken (or turkey)
- 1 Stick Finely Chopped Celery
- ¼ Cup Grated Onion
- 1 Large Egg
- ½ Tsp. Salt
- ¼ Tsp. Pepper
- ¼ Cup Instant Tapioca ((OR substitute ¾ cup GF bread crumbs))
Brown Sugar Buffalo Sauce
- ½ Cup Hot Sauce
- ⅓ Cup Brown Sugar
- ½ Stick Salted Butter
- 1 tablespoon Cornstarch
Instructions
- Option 1: Add all meatball ingredients in a bowl and mix until combined.Option 2: If you don't feel like chopping the celery or grating the onion, add everything but the meat and tapioca to a food processor and pulse until pureed. Then add to meat and tapioca in large bowl to the puree and mix until combined.
- Using a mini ice cream scoop (about 1 oz.) for consistency, scoop meatballs onto large greased baking sheet and bake at 375° F for 12-15 minutes on middle rack, (I do not turn them but you can halfway if you want more even browning.)
- Meanwhile, add the melted butter, hot sauce, brown sugar and cornstarch to a small saucepan and simmer over medium heat until thickened. (about 5 minutes)
- When meatballs are done, toss them in your Crock Pot along with the sauce while hot. Set to warm and serve as needed.
- Serve with blue cheese or ranch dressing on the side! Skewers are optional!
Recipe Notes
- Place skewers/toothpicks in a small shot glass and allow guests to grab them as they please!
- These freeze well so make ahead of time, allow to cool, and place in plastic bag or Tupperware until you need them! Then just warm up in a 350 F oven OR throw the cooked meatballs straight from the freezer in a crock-pot, add sauce and turn on "warm"!
Sally
Aleka, love your sauce!! It was not too hot, really just perfect. Addictive! Everyone LOVED them. They were the hit of the party. In fact a neighbor asked me to do the same thing for her son's graduation party. I used my own meatball recipe, a triple batch (3 pounds meat). Made some light meat turkey and some dark. I tripled your sauce batch and needed just a bit more to do as you say and "drench" them. I like that the sauce really sticks to the meatballs. Thanks for a great recipe!
Aleka Shunk
Thanks so so much for your review Sally!! That makes me happy! 🙂
sally
Hey Aleka! I am making my meatball recipe for a Superbowl party but was thinking about something different than my usual Hoisin or teriyaki sauce. Of course I knew you'd have a buffalo sauce recipe. I know what's in it but I've never made it because I am really heat sensitive. Is it super hot? I used to love Franks, have not had it for awhile. Might be time for another bottle and give it a try for this party.
Aleka Shunk
Hi Sally! No it is not super hot. The butter and brown sugar dial down the heat tremendously. Let me know how they turn out!
Adrienne
These are easy and SO delicious! Can’t wait to serve them to our guests!
Aleka Shunk
Thanks Adrienne!! I hope everyone enjoyed them! 🙂
Linda
These sound terrific. Will make the meatballs ahead and freeze.
How long g does the sauce last. Can I make it ahead of time as well?
Aleka Shunk
It can last 3-4 days and yes you can!
Marie
I'm always looking for make-ahead appy ideas for the holiday gatherings. I tried these this week to see if I'd like them enough to bring to our Christmas eve celebration. They are delicious! Thanks for the recipe. I'll be checking out more on your site, Aleka. Sending blessings for a lovely holiday season...
Aleka Shunk
Thanks so much Marie! Glad you liked them!
Heidi
These are AMAZING! I brought them to a Super Bowl party and everyone loved them! Definitely will make again.
Aleka Shunk
I'm so glad everyone liked the meatballs! The Super Bowl is a perfect party to bring them out! Thank you for your nice comment!
Emily
I'm saving this recipe for the party season, it looks SO good!!
Michelle Frank | Flipped-Out F
My Badgers have their home opener tonight, and these meatballs will be PERFECT. There IS nothing better than the aroma of Mr. Crockpot hard at work in the kitchen, and I can't wait to fire him up with these meatballs! I love the scattering of scallions on top for serving. I'm definitely a blue cheese girl, but my kids are devout ranch dressing eaters, so I'll be setting out both—with some celery sticks!
Bite Sized Kitchen
Lol! Thanks Michelle! That's a good idea!
Patty
Looks so delicious, great food for entertaining!
Bite Sized Kitchen
Yes they most certainly are!! Thanks Patty!
Brittany
I want to try this recipe but need a lactose free alternative to butter. What do you think about coconut oil?
Bite Sized Kitchen
Hi Brittany! Good question. Coconut oil is my favorite but I can't say it would add much flavor to the sauce like butter does. Have you thought about using, 'Ghee', 'I Can't Believe It's Not Butter' or 'Smart Balance'? Ghee is just clarified butter, so there are no milk solids. This would be my 1st recommendation for the tastiest sauce. The other two are butter substitutes, both dairy free and the closest thing to butter that I have found that is also available in most grocers! Let me know what you choose and how it goes so I can add it to the recipes notes!!
Brittany
I want to try this recipe but need a lactose free alternative to butter. What do you think about coconut oil?
Bite Sized Kitchen
Hi Brittany! Good question. Coconut oil is my favorite but I can't say it would add much flavor to the sauce like butter does. Have you thought about using, 'Ghee', 'I Can't Believe It's Not Butter' or 'Smart Balance'? Ghee is just clarified butter, so there are no milk solids. This would be my 1st recommendation for the tastiest sauce. The other two are butter substitutes, both dairy free and the closest thing to butter that I have found that is also available in most grocers! Let me know what you choose and how it goes so I can add it to the recipes notes!!
Michelle Frank | Flipped-Out Food
My Badgers have their home opener tonight, and these meatballs will be PERFECT. There IS nothing better than the aroma of Mr. Crockpot hard at work in the kitchen, and I can't wait to fire him up with these meatballs! I love the scattering of scallions on top for serving. I'm definitely a blue cheese girl, but my kids are devout ranch dressing eaters, so I'll be setting out both—with some celery sticks!
Bite Sized Kitchen
Lol! Thanks Michelle! That's a good idea!
Patty
Looks so delicious, great food for entertaining!
Bite Sized Kitchen
Yes they most certainly are!! Thanks Patty!
Emily
I'm saving this recipe for the party season, it looks SO good!!
Bite Sized Kitchen
🙂 Let me know how they turn out if you end up making them!