Mini Meatball Skewers are bite-sized appetizers featuring juicy meatballs threaded on skewers with fresh vegetables or cheese for a vibrant presentation. Perfect for parties, game nights, or a quick snack, these skewers are versatile and pair wonderfully with a dipping sauce of your choice.
Ingredients (Serves 6):
- Ground meat (beef, pork, or turkey): 1 lb (450g)
- Breadcrumbs: 1/2 cup
- Parmesan cheese (grated): 1/4 cup
- Egg: 1 large
- Garlic (minced): 2 cloves
- Dried oregano: 1 tsp
- Salt: 1 tsp
- Pepper: 1/2 tsp
- Cherry tomatoes: 12
- Fresh basil leaves: 12 (optional)
- Mozzarella balls (optional): 12
- Olive oil: 2 tbsp
- Wooden skewers: 12
Steps
- Preheat Oven:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Make the Meatballs:
- In a mixing bowl, combine ground meat, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
- Roll the mixture into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter (you should get ~24 meatballs).
- Cook the Meatballs:
- Place the meatballs on the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil or spray with cooking spray.
- Bake for 15–20 minutes, turning once, until browned and cooked through.
- Assemble the Skewers:
- On each skewer, thread a meatball, a cherry tomato, a basil leaf, and a mozzarella ball. Repeat to fill the skewer.
- Serve:
- Arrange skewers on a platter and serve with marinara sauce, pesto, or a dipping sauce of choice.
Total Time
- Preparation: 15 minutes
- Cooking: 20 minutes
- Total: 35 minutes
Nutritional Breakdown (Per Serving)
- Calories: ~200 kcal
- Protein: ~15g
- Fat: ~12g
- Carbohydrates: ~6g
- Fiber: ~1g
- Sodium: ~400mg
Key Notes
- Make It Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free breadcrumbs or almond flour in the meatballs.
- Add Veggies: Include roasted bell peppers, zucchini slices, or olives for extra color and flavor.
- Prepare Ahead: Meatballs can be made ahead of time and reheated before assembling the skewers.
- Skewer Options: Use decorative toothpicks or small skewers for a more elegant presentation.
- Dipping Sauce Pairings: Serve with marinara, barbecue sauce, tzatziki, or spicy aioli for variety.
These Mini Meatball Skewers are a crowd-pleaser and can be adapted for various themes and tastes!