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!
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!
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Crock Pot Apple Jelly Meatballs
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: 20 1x
- Category: appetizer
- Method: slow cooker
- Cuisine: American
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
- 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
- Add all ingredients to a slow cooker and stir to mix.
- Heat on low 4 to 5 hours or until meatballs are heated through.
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
Keywords: apple jelly meatballs, buffet meatballs
Amy Renea says
I am SERIOUSLY hungry right this second...goodness...
Courtenay@Creek Line House says
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!
Trish says
My mom makes something similar, but with grape jelly. I'll have to try these out too, you know, strictly for comparison purposes 😉
Rachel {BubblyNatureCreations.com} says
so easy and looks so good!
Joan Hayes says
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!
Jocelyn says
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!!!
Danni Baird @ Silo Hill Farm says
These sound so good! I think I'll just let you be in charge of my fall menu this year! Yummm!
Gwendolyn Whitfield says
Yum! Those look fantastic!
Aimee @ ShugarySweets says
I'm a sucker for meatballs...love that you used apple jelly!!!
Hayley @ The Domestic Rebel says
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!
Becca @ Crumbs and Chaos says
Keri, These look fantastic!! I love that you make them in the crock pot...more time to make dessert 🙂
Sarah says
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
chica chocolatina says
Mmmm....I had to check these out, so interesting and they sound so delicious!
Emily says
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
Sarah Carletti says
Sounds really yummy! Sarah from The Ease of Freeze
Erin Alldredge says
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
Printabelle says
Great idea! What a fast and yummy dinner! I'd like to eat them on rice, too!
Jessica McCoy says
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
Nancy W says
These look delicious! Pinning so I can try later!
the cape on the corner says
oh my gosh, i have no doubt that this is amazing. my mom makes these fabulous cranberry sauce meatballs, which are my absolute fave.
Crafty Mischief says
Ooh yum! Get in my belly!
Gina @ Kleinworth & Co. says
Looks. SO. GOOD.
Jennifer says
This would be fabulous for any get together. Yum! Thanks for stopping by our Pretty Things Party. Hope to see you back next week!
Craftberry Bush says
That looks great...this is a new to me recipe....and I love trying new things...thank you for sharing...xo
Jaime Lyn says
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
Shiloh says
What an interesting combination! I think I'd like to try this sometime.:)
More Sister Stuff says
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/
Tim, Allyson, and kids says
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.
Noelle says
Yum. what an easy and delicious looking recipe. i definitely have to make these!
Brenda Dahlbergh says
Someone made these for a potluck and they were delicious!!
Sara says
How much/how many ounces is a small bottle of ketchup?
Melissa says
delicious!
★★★★★