|

Crock Pot Apple Jelly Meatballs

This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission.

Apple Jelly Meatballs, also called buffet meatballs, are a super easy 4 ingredient recipe that are always the hit of the party! With less than 5 minutes of prep time and no stove time thanks to the slow cooker, this will be your new favorite party food!

apple jelly meatballs in bowl on table with more in the background

Want to save this recipe?

Enter your email & I’ll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!

Save Recipe

The Best Buffet Meatballs

Almost every Sunday during the fall we put together what we call a “football feast” with a few of our favorite munchies:  veggies and dip, fruit and fruit dip, cheese and crackers, buffalo chicken dip … you know the drill.  We nibble for lunch and dinner and it makes for the perfect lazy Sunday afternoon!

And recently, I tried my aunt’s recipe for sweet and savory apple jelly meatballs!  These are the yummiest thing to come out of my crockpot lately!  And they are beyond easy!!

Ingredients

  • Two bags (about 25 oz. each) of frozen meatballs – beef, turkey, Italian, take your pick
  • One 18 oz. jar of apple jelly
  • One 14 oz. jar of pizza sauce
  • One 14 oz bottle of ketchup

How to Cook Meatballs in the Slow Cooker

This recipe couldn’t be easier!

Simply simmer everything in the Crock Pot on low for about 4-5 hours, stirring occasionally, until the jelly, pizza sauce, and ketchup are completely mixed together and the meatballs are tender and hot in the center.

Tip: If you want to cut the cooking time, simply microwave the meatballs before adding to the slow cooker, then cook on high for an hour before serving.

These are so yummy … just a smidge of sweetness from the jelly and a savory tomato-based sauce.  

Serving suggestions

You can serve these right out of the slow cooker or plate them and garnish with some chopped parsley.

You can also make a meal of them by serving over rice or with your favorite side dishes or stick six meatballs in a toasted hot dog bun or sub roll and top with Parmesan cheese for easy-breezy meatball subs for dinner!

If you like this recipe, please comment and rate it below, I love hearing from you!

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
close up of apple jelly meatballs in bowl

Crock Pot Apple Jelly Meatballs


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 1 review

  • Author: Melissa Riker
  • Total Time: 4 hours 5 minutes
  • Yield: 20 1x

Description

Apple Jelly Meatballs, also called buffet meatballs, are a super easy 4 ingredient recipe that are always the hit of the party! With less than 5 minutes of prep time and no stove time thanks to the slow cooker, this will be your new favorite party food!


Ingredients

Scale
  • Two bags (about 25 oz. each) of frozen meatballs – beef, turkey, Italian, take your pick
  • One 18 oz. jar of apple jelly
  • One 14 oz. jar of pizza sauce
  • One 14 oz. bottle of ketchup

Instructions

  1. Add all ingredients to a slow cooker and stir to mix.
  2. Heat on low 4 to 5 hours or until meatballs are heated through.
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 4 hours
  • Category: appetizer
  • Method: slow cooker
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 3 meatballs
  • Calories: 276
  • Sugar: 14.7 g
  • Sodium: 732.1 mg
  • Fat: 16 g
  • Carbohydrates: 22.9 g
  • Protein: 10.7 g
  • Cholesterol: 46.8 mg

STRESS-FREE

AND DELICIOUS?

DO YOU WANT DINNER TO BE

Its easy! I will show you how.

Similar Posts

32 Comments

  1. OK, so I might be trying to eat healthier, but I will definitely need to make these for (Canadian) Thanksgiving snacking in a few weeks. I can try one or two right? Love these simple and perfect recipes!

  2. My mom makes something similar, but with grape jelly. I’ll have to try these out too, you know, strictly for comparison purposes 😉

  3. I can’t wait to give this a try. The hubby always makes cocktail meatballs with grape jelly and BBQ sauce. I’m just not a big fan of grape jelly. Finally, I’ll be able to change up his routine!

  4. You know what? The only thing I really like about football is the food too:-) I can just imagine how good these are with the jelly glaze! Love it!!!

  5. I love meatballs and will forevah and evah. I also have a serious infatuation with apple jelly and eat it on my PBJS… seriously. These look delish!

  6. Keri, These look fantastic!! I love that you make them in the crock pot…more time to make dessert 🙂

  7. These sound delicious. I never would have thought to throw in jelly for a sauce. If you get a chance come share your recipe at my Pin Party.

    http://sarahdawndesigns.blogspot.com/2012/09/pintastic-monday-link-party-10.html#.UGC99K4-WnA

  8. yum! This looks amazing! My family loves meatballs, I will have to try. I would like to invite you to come link up at my Tasteful Tuesday party that is going on right now through friday morning.
    http://www.nap-timecreations.com/2012/09/a-fall-wreath-for-mid-west-girl-and.html

  9. I have some crab apple trees in my yard. The only thing I know to do with them is make jelly. I bet the crab apple jelly would work great for this. I’d love it if you shared this over at my link party. http://acraftycook.blogspot.com/2012/09/1-month-of-fun-september-link-party.html

  10. These look so good! Absolutely love it if you could link up this (and a couple other recipes) to Wonderful Food Wednesday at http://www.athometake2.com.

    Hope to see you there!
    Jessica @ At Home Take 2

  11. oh my gosh, i have no doubt that this is amazing. my mom makes these fabulous cranberry sauce meatballs, which are my absolute fave.

  12. This would be fabulous for any get together. Yum! Thanks for stopping by our Pretty Things Party. Hope to see you back next week!

  13. Ohh YUM! I am SO making this for my tailgate this weekend!!! Thank you SO so so much for sharing and linking up at Happy Hour!!! :o) I love seeing what you are up to!!!
    Jaime from crafty scrappy happy

  14. Those look delicious!! I always have the Costco big bag of meat balls…I’ll have to try these! I found you off of simply sweet home link party 🙂 http://moresisterstuff.blogspot.com/

  15. Oh. YUMMY! I can hardly wait to make these. I love sweet meatballs.

    We’d love for you to link up to our Finished Friday Blog Party.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.