Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
- By Amy Dong
- Updated Mar. 5, 2026
These buffalo chicken meatballs are a family favorite, as they have buffalo wing flavors in meatball form. These meatballs are tender, with just the right amount of kick, and fabulously saucy. Perfect for parties, gatherings, or any weeknight.
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Amy’s Notes
These Buffalo Chicken Meatballs are one of my favorite appetizer recipes, as it has all the buffalo wing flavor in a bite-sized, crowd-friendly meatball. I don’t need a party to make these; we love these for simple weeknight meals as well. People love that they’re:
- Boldly Flavorful: The sauce is the perfect mix of spicy, buttery, and slightly sweet, similar to these 4-Ingredient Crock Pot Buffalo Meatballs.
- Tender and Juicy: Baking keeps the chicken moist while the eggs and breadcrumbs hold everything together without drying them out.
- Perfect for Parties: They’re easy to serve and stay warm beautifully in a slow cooker, especially alongside favorites like Sweet and Sour Meatballs.
- Customizable Heat: I can easily adjust the spice level by adding more hot sauce for heat lovers or keeping it mild for everyone else. I hope you love this!
Key Recipe Ingredients
- Ground Chicken – Lean and mild, it forms the base of the meatballs and soaks up all the Buffalo flavor. You can substitute with ground turkey if preferred.
- Eggs – Help bind the mixture together and keep the meatballs tender.
- Celery – Finely chopped for a bit of crunch and that classic Buffalo wing flavor. I like using a mini chopper to get it extra fine.
- Panko Breadcrumbs – Add lightness and structure so the meatballs hold their shape. Regular breadcrumbs work too.
- Green Onions – Bring a mild onion flavor and a pop of freshness. Save a few slices for garnish.
- Garlic Powder & Onion Powder – Simple pantry seasonings that add savory depth without extra chopping.
- Frank’s Red Hot Original Sauce – The key to that signature Buffalo taste. Use more or less depending on your heat preference.
- Honey – Adds a touch of sweetness that balances the spice and gives the sauce a glossy finish.
Substitutions And Variations
Here are some of our favorite substitutions and variations:
- Protein Options: Feel free to use ground turkey instead of chicken. You can try ground pork or a mixture of ground meats.
- Sauce Swaps: You can use your favorite hot sauce brand if you don’t have Frank’s. Add a splash of BBQ sauce or a bit more honey if you prefer a milder, sweeter glaze.
Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions
- Add all meatball ingredients to a large bowl.
- Mix until fully combined.
- Form into meatballs and bake at 400°F until cooked through.
- Add sauce ingredients to a saucepan and whisk together.
- Cook briefly until the sauce thickens.
- Toss baked meatballs with the sauce and serve.
For full list of ingredients and instructions, see recipe card below.
How To Prep Ahead
Take a look at our best prep-ahead strategies for this recipe:
- Prep the Meatballs Early: You can mix and shape the meatballs up to a day in advance. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, cover tightly, and refrigerate until you’re ready to bake.
- Make Sauce Ahead: This sweet and spicy sauce can be made up to 2 days ahead of time; keep it in an airtight container in fridge. Warm it up on stovetop when ready to use.
- Make Entire Dish Ahead: Bake the meatballs completely, let them cool, and store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. When ready to serve, warm them in the oven or slow cooker, then toss with freshly made sauce.
Video: Watch Us Make This Recipe
Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
Buffalo Chicken Meatballs are incredibly easy, tender, and succulent. They're the perfect meatball appetizers for parties, gatherings, or family dinner.
Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
- 3 pounds ground chicken
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup celery, very finely chopped, see notes
- ¾ cup Panko breadcrumbs, or regular breadcrumbs
- ½ cup green onions, thinly sliced, plus extra for garnish
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons table salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
For the Sauce:
- ½ cup hot sauce, I recommend Frank's Red Hot Original Sauce
- ½ cup honey, pure
- 4 tablespoons salted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch, fully dissolved in 1 tablespoon water
Optional garnishes:
- Extra hot sauce, crumbled blue cheese, ranch dressing, blue cheese dressing.
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400F with rack in middle position. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine chicken, eggs, celery, breadcrumbs, green onion, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper (all the meatball ingredients)
- Mix until well combined. Use clean, water-dampened hands to form 1 1/2" meatballs, roughly 50 total. Place on prepared pans and bake one pan at a time for 15 minutes each. Meat thermometer should read 165 degrees.
- While meatballs are baking, make the sauce: Melt butter in a saucepan on medium-high heat. Whisk in the hot sauce and honey until smooth. Once smooth and bubbling, add the dissolved cornstarch, whisking until sauce is a bit thickened. Keep warm.
- Once all meatballs are done cooking, place them in a large bowl and gently toss the sauce onto meatballs to fully coat. Serve meatballs warm and garnish as desired.
Notes
- I use my mini chopper to “chop” the celery, as it works really well for finely chopping veggies.
- Keep a small bowl of water nearby when forming meatballs. Dipping your hands prevents sticking and helps shape them evenly.
- Baked meatballs may seep albumin, which is a protein found in meat. This is completely normal.
- Feel free to use your favorite type of store-bought meatballs; just be sure they are pre-cooked prior to using.
- If you want to place pre-cooked, frozen meatballs directly into the crockpot without baking first, you can do so. Note that the meatballs might less browned if they’re not baked first.
- For slow cooker method: Place cooked meatballs in slow cooker. Pour sauce over meatballs, stirring to coat. Cover and cook on low for 2 hours to meld flavors together. Keep on warm setting while serving.
- Store leftover meatballs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- This recipe is part of our Appetizer Recipes Collection.
- We love serving these meatballs along with Easy Cheesy Chicken Dip or a platter of Crispy Baked Chicken Wings when feeding a crowd.
Nutrition (per serving)
Serving: 1meatball | Calories: 63kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 38mg | Sodium: 107mg | Potassium: 153mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 0.2g | Vitamin A: 55IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 5mg | Iron: 0.3mg
What To Serve with Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
Appetizers
- These Buffalo Chicken Meatballs are always a hit on game day or at parties. We like to serve them alongside Sriracha Buffalo Chicken Dip or Frank’s Buffalo Chicken Dip for a full-on Buffalo spread.
- They also pair perfectly with Easy Cheesy Chicken Dip or a platter of Crispy Baked Chicken Wings when you’re feeding a crowd.
Salads
- For a lighter meal, we like to serve these meatballs over a crisp BBQ Chicken Salad or toss them next to a chilled Wild Rice Chicken or Turkey Salad.
- They’re also great with fresh options like Chicken Caprese Salad or a crunchy Chinese Chicken Salad.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I Make these meatballs less spicy?
You can easily tone down the heat by using a milder hot sauce or adding a little extra honey to the sauce. The balance of sweet and spicy is flexible, so adjust it to your taste.
Can I cook these in a slow cooker?
Yes. After baking the meatballs, place them in a slow cooker, pour the sauce over, and cook on low for about 2 hours. This method keeps them warm and flavorful for serving at parties.
How long do they keep?
Store leftover meatballs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat gently in the oven, microwave, or slow cooker until warmed through. You can also freeze them for up to 2 months and thaw before reheating.
More to Cook and Eat
- White Chicken Enchilada Casserole – This White Chicken Enchilada Casserole is one of our most popular, crowd-pleasing weeknight meals. Perfect for potlucks and parties, too.
- Chicken Marsala Recipe – This chicken marsala recipe is made with the most tender chicken and an easy marsala sauce for an indulgent better-for-you recipe!
- BBQ Chicken Pizza Recipe – This BBQ Chicken Pizza Recipe is topped with smoked bacon and a combination of cheeses on a chewy crust with a crisp exterior.
- Chicken Tortellini Soup – This chicken tortellini soup is super easy for weeknights, and hits the spot on a chilly night! Hearty yet healthy, warm, and comforting.
Social:
The Buffalo Chicken Recipe That Feeds a Crowd Without the Frying. Easy, Juicy, and Packed With Flavor.
These buffalo chicken meatballs are juicy, flavorful, and coated in a sweet and spicy honey buffalo sauce. They bake up tender and are perfect for parties, potlucks, or game day spreads.