Get ready to experience the ultimate flavor explosion with these mouthwatering BBQ Bacon Wrapped Meatball Poppers! By combining the savory goodness of juicy meatballs, the smoky crispiness of bacon, and the tangy sweetness of barbecue sauce, you’ve got a party-perfect appetizer that’s sure to be the talk of any gathering.

Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue, game day festivities, or simply craving a delectable bite-sized treat, these BBQ Bacon Wrapped Meatball Poppers are the perfect solution. Prepare to wow your guests with this irresistible fusion of flavors and textures that will have them coming back for more.

Ingredients for Mouthwatering Meatball Poppers

The key to creating these flavor-packed BBQ Bacon Wrapped Meatball Poppers lies in the carefully selected ingredients. Let’s dive into the essential components that come together to form this culinary masterpiece:

Ground Meat: A blend of ground beef and ground pork provides the perfect balance of richness and juiciness in the meatballs.
Breadcrumbs: These help bind the meatball mixture together, ensuring a tender and cohesive texture.
Parmesan Cheese: The grated Parmesan adds a savory, umami-rich note that complements the other flavors beautifully.
Fresh Parsley: This fragrant herb lends a touch of freshness and vibrancy to the meatballs.
Egg: The binding power of the egg helps hold the meatballs together, preventing them from falling apart during cooking.
Garlic Powder and Onion Powder: These dried spices infuse the meatballs with irresistible aromatics.
Salt and Pepper: Simple seasonings that enhance the overall flavor profile.
Bacon Slices: The crispy, smoky bacon wraps around each meatball, creating a delectable contrast in textures.
BBQ Sauce: A rich, tangy barbecue sauce glazes the meatballs, adding a sweet-and-savory finish.

Necessary Tools and Equipment

To ensure a seamless cooking process, you’ll need a few essential kitchen tools and equipment:

Mixing Bowl: For combining the meatball ingredients.
Baking Sheet: Lined with parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
Toothpicks: Optional, to secure the bacon around the meatballs.
Meat Thermometer: To ensure the meatballs are cooked through to a safe internal temperature.
Pastry Brush: For applying the BBQ sauce glaze to the cooked meatballs.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Irresistible Meatball Poppers

Ready to bring these BBQ Bacon Wrapped Meatball Poppers to life? Follow these simple steps for a delicious and impressive result:

Preheat the Oven: Crank up your oven to a toasty 375°F (190°C) to get it ready for baking.
Mix the Meatball Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Use your hands or a spoon to mix the ingredients until they’re fully incorporated.
Shape the Meatballs: Divide the meatball mixture into 24 equal-sized portions and gently roll them into smooth, uniform balls.
Wrap in Bacon: Take a half slice of bacon and wrap it around each meatball, securing it with a toothpick if needed.
Bake to Perfection: Arrange the bacon-wrapped meatballs on the prepared baking sheet and pop them in the oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and the meatballs are cooked through.
Glaze with BBQ Sauce: Remove the meatballs from the oven and brush them generously with your favorite BBQ sauce. Return them to the oven for an additional 5 minutes to let the sauce caramelize and create a delectable glaze.
Serve and Enjoy: Allow the meatballs to cool for a few minutes, then serve them hot and fresh. Get ready for the oohs and aahs as your guests dive into these irresistible BBQ Bacon Wrapped Meatball Poppers!

Variations and Substitutions

The beauty of these BBQ Bacon Wrapped Meatball Poppers is that they lend themselves well to all sorts of variations and customizations. Here are a few ideas to explore:

Alternative Meats: While the classic blend of ground beef and pork works wonderfully, you can also try using ground turkey, chicken, or even plant-based meat alternatives for a lighter or more health-conscious option.
Flavor Profiles: Experiment with different BBQ sauce flavors, such as sweet, spicy, or tangy, to suit your personal preferences or the occasion.
Stuffed Meatballs: Take it up a notch by adding a cube of cheese or a slice of jalapeño in the center of each meatball before wrapping them in bacon.
Additional Ingredients: Consider incorporating chopped herbs, diced onions, or a sprinkle of chili powder or paprika for extra flavor and visual appeal.
Serving Suggestions: Pair these meatball poppers with various dipping sauces, such as ranch, blue cheese, or even a zesty chimichurri. Serve them alongside crispy fries, creamy coleslaw, or a fresh salad for a well-rounded appetizer or main dish.

Serving and Storing Tips

When it comes to serving these BBQ Bacon Wrapped Meatball Poppers, the possibilities are endless. They make for a fantastic party appetizer, perfect for game days, potlucks, or any gathering where you want to impress your guests with a delicious and visually appealing treat.

For optimal presentation, arrange the meatball poppers on a platter or serving tray, allowing your guests to easily grab and enjoy them. You can also serve them on skewers or toothpicks for a handheld and hassle-free experience.

As for storage, these meatball poppers can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, stored in an airtight container. For longer-term storage, you can freeze the uncooked, bacon-wrapped meatballs for up to 3 months. When ready to serve, simply bake them straight from the freezer, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.

Nutritional Information

Indulging in these BBQ Bacon Wrapped Meatball Poppers is a delicious experience, but it’s important to enjoy them in moderation as part of a balanced diet. Each serving (4 meatball poppers) contains approximately:

Calories: 350
Total Fat: 20g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Cholesterol: 80mg
Sodium: 750mg
Total Carbohydrates: 18g
Protein: 23g

While these meatball poppers are delightfully indulgent, they can be enjoyed as part of a balanced diet by controlling portion sizes and pairing them with fresh, nutrient-dense side dishes. For a healthier twist, you can consider using leaner ground meats, reduced-sodium bacon, or low-sugar BBQ sauce.

FAQs for BBQ Bacon Wrapped Meatball Poppers

1. What ingredients do I need to make BBQ Bacon Wrapped Meatball Poppers?

To make BBQ Bacon Wrapped Meatball Poppers, you will need the following ingredients:

Ground meat (beef, pork, or chicken)
Bacon strips
BBQ sauce
Breadcrumbs
Egg (for binding)
Spices (such as garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper)
Optional: cheese cubes or jalapeños for stuffing

2. How do I cook BBQ Bacon Wrapped Meatball Poppers?

You can cook BBQ Bacon Wrapped Meatball Poppers in several ways:

Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Wrap the meatballs in bacon, place them on a baking sheet, and bake for 25-30 minutes until the bacon is crispy and the meatballs are cooked through. Brush with BBQ sauce halfway through cooking.
Grill: Preheat the grill to medium heat. Wrap the meatballs in bacon and secure with toothpicks. Grill for about 15-20 minutes, turning occasionally, and brush with BBQ sauce during the last few minutes.
Air Fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 380°F (193°C). Arrange the wrapped meatballs in the basket and cook for about 10-12 minutes, turning halfway through, until the bacon is crispy.

3. Can I make BBQ Bacon Wrapped Meatball Poppers ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare BBQ Bacon Wrapped Meatball Poppers ahead of time. You can mix the meatball ingredients and form the meatballs, then wrap them in bacon and refrigerate them for up to 24 hours before cooking. If you want to freeze them, lay the wrapped meatballs on a baking sheet to freeze individually, then transfer them to a freezer bag. When ready to cook, you can bake or grill them from frozen; just allow extra cooking time.

4. What are some variations for BBQ Bacon Wrapped Meatball Poppers?

There are many ways to customize BBQ Bacon Wrapped Meatball Poppers:

Stuffed: Add a piece of cheese or jalapeño in the center of the meatball before wrapping it with bacon.
Spicy: Incorporate hot sauce or diced chili peppers into the meat mixture for a spicy kick.
Different meats: Use a combination of ground meats, or substitute with turkey or plant-based alternatives for a lighter option.
BBQ sauce variations: Experiment with different flavors of BBQ sauce, such as honey BBQ, spicy chipotle, or teriyaki for unique taste profiles.

More Related Recipes You Might Enjoy

Get ready to impress your friends and family with these irresistible BBQ Bacon Wrapped Meatball Poppers! Packed with flavor and perfect for any occasion, this recipe is sure to become a new favorite. Don’t hesitate to experiment with different variations and let us know your thoughts in the comments below. Enjoy!

BBQ Bacon Wrapped Meatball Poppers Recipe

Author: Time of Recipes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 24 meatball poppers 1x

Print Recipe

Description

If you’re looking for a mouthwatering, crowd-pleasing appetizer that combines the irresistible flavors of bacon and meatballs, look no further than BBQ Bacon Wrapped Meatball Poppers. These bite-sized bites are the perfect blend of savory, smoky, and sweet – and they’re sure to be the hit of any party or gathering.

Ingredients

Scale

1 lb ground beef
1 lb ground pork
1 cup breadcrumbs
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1 large egg
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
12 slices bacon, cut in half
1 cup BBQ sauce

Instructions

Preheat the oven: Crank up your oven to 375°F (190°C) to get it nice and hot for baking the poppers.
Mix the meatball ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, parsley, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Use your hands or a spoon to mix everything together until the ingredients are fully incorporated.
Shape the meatballs: Scoop out the meatball mixture and form it into 24 equal-sized balls, about 1-inch in diameter.
Wrap with bacon: Take a half slice of bacon and wrap it around each meatball, securing it with a toothpick if needed.
Bake the meatballs: Arrange the bacon-wrapped meatballs on the prepared baking sheet, making sure they’re not touching. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and the meatballs are cooked through.
Glaze with BBQ sauce: Remove the meatballs from the oven and brush them generously with the BBQ sauce. Pop them back in the oven for an additional 5 minutes to let the sauce caramelize and become irresistibly sticky.
Serve and enjoy: Let the BBQ Bacon Wrapped Meatball Poppers cool for a few minutes, then serve them warm and watch them disappear!

Notes

For a healthier option, consider using ground turkey or chicken instead of beef and pork. You can also opt for a lower-sodium or sugar-free BBQ sauce to reduce the overall sodium and sugar content.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Appetizer, Snack
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 2 poppers
Calories: 220 kcal
Sugar: 2g
Sodium: 570mg
Fat: 13g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Unsaturated Fat: 8g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 11g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 16g
Cholesterol: 60mg

Keywords: BBQ, Meatballs, Bacon, Appetizer, Party Food