Firecracker Meatballs (Just Like Hello Fresh!)
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Looking for a meatball recipe that packs a punch? These firecracker meatballs are my go-to when I want bold, savory Asian flavors in a juicy, perfectly baked bite – ready in just 30 minutes! I make them as an appetizer or with rice and broccoli for dinner. Keep reading for five tips for banging firecracker meatballs!
I love Hello Fresh firecracker meatballs smothered in that creamy, sweet, spicy sauce—they’re pretty irresistible. After making them a few times, though, I realized they’re even better with a few simple tweaks. I use a mix of pork and beef for extra-juicy meatballs, but you can swap in ground chicken to make firecracker chicken meatballs instead.
Instead of breadcrumbs, I use almond flour, which makes the meatballs especially tender. Quick oats work well, too, and if you don’t have either, breadcrumbs are just fine. I also bump up the aromatics—extra ginger, onion, and garlic—to give the meatballs more flavor from the inside out.
The sauce is a creamy blend of mayonnaise and sour cream, liquid honey so it blends smoothly, and sriracha for that signature sweet heat—add more if you like things spicy. A splash of rice vinegar balances everything out, though apple cider vinegar works just as well. Drizzle some on top or use it as a dip for the meatballs; either way, it’s unbelievable.
Recipe tips
Whether you’re a meatball lover or you’re just here for the sauce, these tips will help you nail this firecracker meatball recipe every time:
- Scoop it up: A little hack I love for meatballs is using a cookie dough scoop. It makes shaping the balls super simple while keeping them all the same size so they cook evenly. You also get to keep your hands a bit cleaner!
- Adjust the heat: Use more or less Sriracha, depending on your love for spice. If you’d prefer to dial it back, you can always balance it with a little extra honey.
- Plate first: I like to place my meatballs on top of my bed of rice before I drizzle on the sauce, instead of coating them while they’re still on the baking pan. This way, the rice soaks up more of that goodness!
- Don’t overmix: Overmixing the meatballs or packing them too tightly can make them dense. I like to combine the ingredients gently, and then the cookie scoop helps me ensure I’m not making them too dense.
- Extra crispy: If you love crispy meatballs, you can always turn the broiler on for the last few minutes of cooking.
Sides that go well with firecracker meatballs
These firecracker meatballs are a versatile recipe that can be served for dinner (like the HelloFresh version) or turned into an appetizer. If you’re serving these meatballs as a starter, pile them onto a plate and serve the sauce on the side for dipping.
If you’re serving these meatballs for dinner, a side of basmati rice and some roasted broccoli or sauteed green beans with garlic completes the meal. Here are a few other sides that go well with these meatballs:
Firecracker Meatballs (Just Like Hello Fresh!)
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 lb ground pork
- ½ cup almond flour
- 2 tablespoons sriracha
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons grated ginger
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 4 green onions (chopped – whites for the meatballs and greens to serve)
- Sesame seeds (to serve)
Firecracker Sauce
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise (can be light)
- 2 tablespoons sour cream (can be light)
- 2 tablespoons liquid honey
- 1 tablespoon sriracha (more to taste)
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar (can sub apple cider vinegar)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Mix all the meatball ingredients in a large bowl. Form into 1 ½ inch meatballs – a medium-sized cookie scoop works great for this! Place the meatballs on a baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden and cooked through.1 lb ground beef, 1 lb ground pork, ½ cup almond flour, 2 tablespoons sriracha, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 2 tablespoons grated ginger, 4 cloves garlic, 4 green onions
- While the meatballs are in the oven, mix the firecracker sauce in a medium-sized bowl then set it aside.2 tablespoons mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons sour cream, 2 tablespoons liquid honey, 1 tablespoon sriracha, 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
- When the meatballs are fully cooked, remove them from the oven, plate them, then drizzle them with the firecracker sauce and sprinkle the green onions and some sesame seeds over the top.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here.
This was even better than the Hello Fresh recipe! Thank you for sharing.
Do you process the quick oats into flour to replace the almond flour or leave it whole?
If you’re substituting quick oats you can add them in as is. 🙂
Pinned to make again for the family! Can’t wait! Thank you. 🙂
This firecracher sauce is absolutely amazing. I love the heat of the sriracha sauce, combined with the sweetness of the honey. The mayonnaise and sour cream create a sauce with a perfect consistency.
Absolutely delicious meatballs; thank you for this fantastic recipe! I will make it again!!
These are super yum and easy! They’ll be a staple in my house now…
Can you substitute almond flour for regular flour? I am not buying a bag of almond flour just to use a half cup!
I would recommend using breadcrumbs instead. 🙂