These firecracker meatballs are our version of the Hello Fresh recipe and are absolutely delicious. The homemade baked meatballs are loaded with Asian flavors then served with a spicy, sweet, creamy, and savory firecracker sauce. Serve them for dinner or as an appetizer!

Complete the meal with a side of basmati rice and some roasted broccoli. And if you love meatballs, also try our hoisin meatballs!

firecracker meatballs in a bowl with rice and broccoli.

Hello Fresh firecracker meatballs

We love Hello Fresh firecracker meatballs that are smothered in a creamy, sweet, and spicy sauce. They're pretty irresistible. But after making them a few times, we found that they're even better with a few minor changes.

  • We use a mix of pork and beef for even juicier meatballs.
  • Instead of breadcrumbs, we use almond flour, which makes the meatballs even more tender.
  • We use more aromatics (ginger, onion, and garlic) for more flavorful meatballs.

Ingredient notes

Ground beef and pork – We use a mixture of these two to make the meatballs juicy. You could use ground chicken to turn them into firecracker chicken meatballs.

Almond flour – We've found that almond flour works the best to help the meatballs retain moisture. Quick oats are another great substitute. If you don't have either of those on hand, you can use breadcrumbs.

Sriracha – This is our hot sauce of choice for this recipe as it has lots of flavor but isn't crazy spicy. If you choose another brand, you may want to add more or less depending on how spicy it is.

Soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and green onions – These four give the meatballs so much flavor.

The firecracker sauce

  • Mayonnaise and sour cream – Both can be light to reduce calories. For a dairy-free version, use all mayonnaise.
  • Honey – Make sure to use liquid honey so it blends well into the sauce.
  • Sriracha – The flavor of sriracha works well in the sauce. Add more if you want it spicier.
  • Rice vinegar – You can also use apple cider vinegar.

Firecracker meatball FAQs

Can I use frozen meatballs?

Yes, but the recipe won't taste quite as good. We add a lot of flavor to our meatballs which make them taste so much better than the ones you buy in the store. Just keep that in mind if you decide to use frozen meatballs.

Is this a family-friendly recipe?

The meatballs (without the sauce) are not very spicy so most people will be able to eat them. If you have young children at the table, try making this curry dipping sauce for them and the firecracker sauce for the adults.

How long do these meatballs last?

Cooked meatballs will keep well for 3-4 days in your fridge.

Can I freeze firecracker meatballs?

Yes! Meatballs freeze very well. Place them in a single layer on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and put them into your freezer. Once they're frozen, move them to a freezer-proof container. NOTE: the sauce does not freeze well.

How to serve firecracker meatballs?

These firecracker meatballs are a flexible recipe that can easily be served for dinner (like the Hello Fresh version!) or be 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.

Sides that go well with firecracker meatballs

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:

More buffalo sauce recipes

a close up of Hello Fresh firecracker meatballs in a bowl with spicy sauce.
firecracker meatballs in a bowl with rice and broccoli.

Firecracker Meatballs

These firecracker meatballs are our version of the Hello Fresh recipe and are absolutely delicious. The homemade baked meatballs are loaded with Asian flavors then served with a spicy, sweet, creamy, and savory firecracker sauce. Serve them for dinner or as an appetizer!

If you love this recipe as much as we do, let us know with a 5-star rating!

4.96 stars (22 ratings)
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Ingredients

Meatballs

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 lb ground pork
  • ½ cup almond flour
  • 2 tablespoons sriracha
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce, gluten-free if needed
  • 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.

Notes

Firecracker meatballs make a wonderfully easy appetizer! Form the meat into small balls about ¾ inch – use a small cookie scoop for this. Bake them for 12-15 minutes then serve them speared with toothpicks and the sauce on the side to dip.Ā 
For dinner, firecracker meatballs go well with roasted broccoli and some steamed basmati rice.Ā 
Serving: 6 meatballs plus ¼ of the sauce, Calories: 611kcal, Carbohydrates: 16g, Protein: 48g, Fat: 39g, Saturated Fat: 13g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 14g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 156mg, Sodium: 959mg, Potassium: 827mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 10g, Vitamin A: 186IU, Vitamin C: 12mg, Calcium: 80mg, Iron: 5mg
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This recipe is part of our Healthy Super Bowl Recipes series.

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