Quick & Spicy Firecracker Meatballs Recipe Everyone Will Love

These firecracker meatballs pack a spicy punch that revamps an ordinary meal into a culinary adventure.

Bold flavors dance across your palate with a tantalizing blend of heat and savory depth.

Perfectly seasoned ingredients come together to create a dish that ignites taste buds and sparks conversation at any gathering.

Small, compact spheres of meat absorb complex marinades that elevate traditional recipes to exciting new heights.

The combination of carefully selected spices delivers an unexpected kick that keeps people coming back for more.

Tender and succulent, these meatballs promise a delightful experience that balances intense flavors with remarkable texture.

Each bite tells a story of bold culinary creativity and passion for exceptional cooking.

Firecracker Meatballs That Pack a Punch

• Spice Up Your Meal: Firecracker meatballs deliver a flavor explosion with their bold, zesty sauce that packs a serious punch of heat and excitement.
• One-Pan Wonder: This recipe simplifies cooking by baking meatballs and green beans together, minimizing cleanup and maximizing convenience for busy home cooks.
• Texture Paradise: Experience a delightful contrast between tender, juicy meatballs, crispy green beans, and creamy coconut rice that creates a satisfying multi-textural dining experience.
• Customize Your Kick: The firecracker sauce allows personalized heat levels, letting you adjust spiciness from mild to wild with simple additions of Sriracha or chili flakes.

Ingredients for Firecracker Meatballs

• Ground Beef: Lean meat with rich flavor, choose 80/20 or 85/15 for juicy meatballs.
• Scallions: Fresh allium for bright onion flavor, white parts mixed in, green parts for garnish.

• Breadcrumbs, Milk: Helps keep meatballs moist and tender, creates soft texture.
• Ginger, Garlic: Aromatic ingredients that add depth and complexity to meat mixture.
• Salt, Red Pepper Flakes: Enhances overall seasoning and provides gentle heat.

• Green Beans: Fresh, crisp vegetable that roasts beautifully alongside meatballs.
• Sesame Seeds: Nutty, crunchy topping that adds texture and classic Asian-inspired garnish.

• Sriracha, Chili Flakes: Provides customizable spicy kick to the firecracker sauce.
• Olive Oil: Used for roasting vegetables and meatballs, helps create golden surface.

• Jasmine Rice: Fragrant, soft rice that serves as base for the dish.
• Coconut Milk, Water: Creates creamy, rich rice with subtle tropical undertone.
• Sesame Oil: Adds distinctive nutty flavor to rice and helps toast sesame seeds.

• Extra Scallion Greens: Fresh, vibrant topping for added color and mild onion flavor.

How to Make Firecracker Meatballs

Step 1: Warm Up the Cooking Space

• Crank the oven to a toasty 425°F
• Slide the rack to the uppermost position
• Grab a large baking sheet
• Coat with a light olive oil layer or spread parchment paper

Step 2: Craft Tropical Rice Base

• Sesame oil
• Sesame seeds
• Jasmine rice
• Coconut milk
• Water
• Salt

Heat sesame oil in a skillet over medium-high flame. Sprinkle sesame seeds and toast until golden. Add remaining ingredients, bring to a bubbling boil, then lower heat. Cover and let simmer until rice drinks up all the liquid and turns fluffy.

Step 3: Create Flavor-Packed Meatballs

• Breadcrumbs
• Milk
• Ground beef
• Scallion whites
• Fresh ginger
• Garlic
• Salt
• Red pepper flakes

Soak breadcrumbs in milk for a quick moment. Toss in remaining ingredients and blend with gentle hands. Roll into bite-sized spheres using a cookie scoop.

Step 4: Arrange Baking Sheet Symphony

Spread meatballs across one side of the sheet. Nestle green beans on the opposite side. Drizzle olive oil over both, sprinkling salt to enhance flavors.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Slide the sheet into the oven. Roast for 14-16 minutes until meatballs reach 165°F and green beans turn crispy and caramelized.

Step 6: Whip Up Fiery Sauce

Combine sauce ingredients in a bowl. Adjust heat levels by adding extra Sriracha or chili flakes for adventurous palates.

Step 7: Plate with Passion

Fluff the coconut rice into serving bowls. Crown with golden meatballs and roasted green beans. Cascade firecracker sauce generously. Sprinkle scallion greens, extra sesame seeds, or chili crunch for a final flavor explosion.

Enjoy your culinary masterpiece!

Tips to Get That Firecracker Kick

• Nail the Meatball Size: Use a cookie scoop for uniform, perfectly round meatballs that cook evenly and look professionally prepared.
• Control the Spice Level: Customize the firecracker sauce by adjusting Sriracha or red pepper flakes to match your heat tolerance without overwhelming the dish.
• Maximize Flavor Infusion: Let the breadcrumbs soak in milk for the full 5 minutes to ensure tender, juicy meatballs with enhanced moisture and texture.
• Achieve Perfect Browning: Position the baking sheet on the top oven rack to help meatballs develop a beautiful golden-brown exterior while keeping the inside perfectly cooked.
• Boost Rice Aromatics: Toast sesame seeds before adding rice to release their nutty flavor and add an extra layer of depth to the coconut rice.

Reheating & Storing Meatballs

• Refrigerate: Store meatballs, rice, and green beans in separate airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for up to 3-4 days.
• Microwave Reheating: Place individual portions on a microwave-safe plate. Sprinkle a few drops of water over the food to prevent drying. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until thoroughly warmed.
• Oven Reheating: Spread meatballs and green beans on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover loosely with foil to retain moisture. Warm at 350°F for 10-12 minutes, adding fresh firecracker sauce after reheating for extra flavor.

What Goes Well with Firecracker Meatballs

• Spice Up the Plate: Pair these fiery meatballs with a crisp, slightly sweet Riesling that balances the heat and complements the coconut rice's creamy texture.
• Cool Down the Burn: Serve a refreshing Thai iced tea or a light beer like Singha to counteract the spicy firecracker sauce and cleanse the palate between bites.
• Enhance the Asian Flavors: Offer a side of pickled cucumber salad or quick-pickled radishes to add a tangy, bright contrast to the rich meatballs and provide a fresh, crunchy element to the meal.
• Create a Complete Meal: Add a simple mango salsa or pineapple salad as a sweet and zesty accompaniment that echoes the tropical notes of the coconut rice and brings additional brightness to the dish.

Firecracker Meatball Variations

• Spicy Thai Fusion: Swap beef for ground chicken and add lemongrass and Thai basil to the meatball mixture for a zesty Southeast Asian-inspired version.
• Mediterranean Herb Meatballs: Replace ground beef with lamb, incorporate oregano and mint into the meat mixture, and serve with tzatziki sauce instead of firecracker sauce.
• Teriyaki Glazed Option: Substitute the firecracker sauce with homemade teriyaki glaze, using soy sauce, mirin, and brown sugar. Switch green beans for roasted broccoli florets for added texture.
• Korean-Inspired Creation: Mix gochujang into the meatball mixture, use gochugaru instead of red pepper flakes, and top with quick pickled cucumbers for a Korean barbecue-style meal.

Firecracker Meatballs Recipe

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4.8 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Firecracker meatballs ignite taste buds with a spicy Korean-inspired symphony of flavors. Succulent beef mingles with zesty sauce, creating an irresistible dish that promises a delightful culinary adventure for those craving bold, memorable bites.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Proteins:

• 1 pound ground beef (85% lean)

Starches:

• 1 cup jasmine rice, rinsed and drained
• ¼ cup panko breadcrumbs (gluten-free if needed)

Vegetables and Herbs:

• 1 pound fresh green beans, ends trimmed
• 4 scallions, sliced and divided
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons fresh grated ginger

Dairy and Liquids:

• 1 cup full-fat coconut milk
• ¼ cup milk (any kind)
• ¼ cup mayonnaise
• ¼ cup sour cream (dairy-free if needed)

Seasonings and Sauces:

• 3 tablespoons coconut aminos or low-sodium soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons Sriracha or buffalo sauce (plus more to taste)
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 2 teaspoons rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

Oils and Seeds:

• 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil (olive oil or avocado oil)
• 2 tablespoons sesame seeds

Additional Toppings:

• Red chili flakes or Korean chili crunch, to taste
• ¾ cup water

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Instructions

1. Prepare a spacious baking sheet by coating with olive oil or lining with parchment paper, then position the oven rack at the top position and heat to 425°F.
2. Create a creamy coconut rice base by toasting sesame seeds in a skillet, then incorporating jasmine rice, coconut milk, water, and a salt pinch. Simmer until liquid absorbs and rice becomes fluffy.
3. Combine breadcrumbs and milk in a large mixing bowl, allowing them to meld for several minutes.
4. Integrate ground beef with scallion whites, minced ginger, crushed garlic, salt, and red pepper flakes. Gently mix using clean hands until ingredients are thoroughly incorporated.
5. Craft uniform meatballs approximately 1 1/2 inches in diameter using a cookie scoop, aiming for 20-22 total.
6. Arrange meatballs on one side of the prepared baking sheet, positioning them in a single layer.
7. Spread green beans on the opposite side of the sheet, drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt, ensuring even coating.
8. Transfer the sheet to the preheated oven, roasting for 14-16 minutes until meatballs reach 165°F internal temperature and green beans develop a rich, caramelized exterior.
9. Whisk firecracker sauce ingredients in a medium bowl, adjusting spice levels with additional Sriracha or chili flakes to personal preference.
10. Plate by distributing coconut rice into serving bowls, layering with roasted meatballs and green beans.
11. Finish the dish with a generous firecracker sauce drizzle and garnish using scallion greens, extra sesame seeds, red pepper flakes, or chili crunch.

Notes

• Boost flavor by toasting sesame seeds before adding rice, releasing their nutty aroma and enhancing the overall taste profile.
• Combine milk and breadcrumbs to create a tender, juicy meatball texture that prevents dryness and helps bind ingredients together.
• Use a cookie scoop for uniform meatball size, ensuring even cooking and professional-looking presentation.
• Check meatball internal temperature reaches 165°F to guarantee food safety and perfectly cooked meat.
• Customize firecracker sauce heat level by adjusting Sriracha or red pepper flakes to personal spice tolerance.
• Elevate dish with optional garnishes like extra sesame seeds, scallion greens, or chili crunch for added texture and visual appeal.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 600
• Sugar: 6g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 36g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 45g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 24g
• Cholesterol: 80mg