BBQ Meatball Sliders
- Juicy homemade meatballs coated in tangy BBQ sauce and melty cheddar cheese.
- Served on soft slider buns with crisp toppings for the perfect bite.
- Ideal for game day gatherings, casual entertaining, or family dinners.
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 17
- Total Time: 37 minutes
- Yield: 6 sliders 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground beef (80/20 recommended)
- 1 cup BBQ sauce, divided
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (optional)
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (optional)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper (optional)
- 6 slider buns
- 4 slices cheddar cheese, quartered
- Pickles, sliced, to taste
- 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
- Optional toppings: coleslaw, bacon bits, crispy fried onions, jalapeños
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, beaten egg, half the BBQ sauce, and optional seasonings (garlic, Worcestershire, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper).
- Gently mix until just combined – avoid overmixing to keep meatballs tender.
- Form mixture into 12 evenly-sized meatballs (about 1½ inches diameter) and place on prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes until meatballs reach internal temperature of 160°F and are browned on outside.
- Remove from oven, brush meatballs with remaining BBQ sauce, and top each with a quarter slice of cheese.
- Return to oven for 2 minutes until cheese melts.
- Meanwhile, lightly toast slider buns if desired.
- Assemble sliders by placing 2 meatballs on each bottom bun.
- Top with sliced pickles, red onion, and any additional toppings.
- Add extra BBQ sauce if desired and top with the upper half of the bun.
- Serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- For extra flavor, toast the slider buns in butter before assembling.
- For a make-ahead option, prepare meatballs a day in advance and reheat with sauce before serving.
- Try different cheeses like pepper jack or smoked gouda for flavor variations.
- Nutrition facts are estimates and may vary based on ingredients used, portion sizes, and preparation methods.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slider
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 12
- Sodium: 680
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Unsaturated Fat: 9
- Carbohydrates: 26
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 16
- Cholesterol: 75
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