Turkey Appetizer Meatball Bites (Printable)
Lean ground turkey meatballs with Parmesan and fresh herbs, served with sweet tangy sauce
# What You’ll Need:
→ For the Meatballs
01 - 1 lb ground turkey (93% lean)
02 - 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
03 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
04 - 1 large egg
05 - 2 tablespoons milk
06 - 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
07 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
08 - 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
09 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
10 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
11 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
→ For the Dipping Sauce
12 - 1/2 cup ketchup
13 - 2 tablespoons honey
14 - 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
15 - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
16 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
# How-To Steps:
01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
02 - In a large bowl, combine ground turkey, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, milk, parsley, garlic, onion powder, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently until just combined—do not overmix.
03 - Using a small cookie scoop or your hands, form the mixture into 1-inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
04 - Bake for 18–20 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through and golden brown.
05 - While the meatballs are baking, prepare the dipping sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together ketchup, honey, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, and smoked paprika until smooth.
06 - Transfer the baked meatballs to a serving platter. Insert toothpicks into each meatball and serve warm with the dipping sauce on the side.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- They disappear faster than any other appetizer I make
- The sauce strikes that perfect sweet tangy balance that keeps people coming back
02 -
- Overmixing makes tough meatballs every single time so mix until ingredients just hold together
- The sauce needs to sit for at least 10 minutes before serving to let flavors meld properly
03 -
- Let the meatball mixture rest in the fridge for 30 minutes before rolling to prevent sticking
- Room temperature ingredients mix more evenly and produce tender meatballs