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Slow Cooker Meatball Appetizer

This slow cooker meatball appetizer recipe is delicious and simple. It’s sweet and spicy, meatballs in grape jelly and chili sauce that everyone will love! Using slow cooker recipes for appetizers is so smart.

When it comes to slow cooker frozen meatballs you won’t find another recipe that is as tasty as these. They’re addicting and everyone loves them.

If you need holiday party foods, an appetizer for family gatherings, or just something easy to make for lunches or a quick dinner you can’t go wrong with this slow cooker meatball appetizer!

pin showing the finished crockpot meatball appetizer recipe

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I love making meatball recipes. They are great for game day celebrations and parties. You can make all kinds of delicious appetizers and crockpot recipes for feeding a crowd at a party!

I like to make things like Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken, and Crockpot Italian Beef for parties and game day gatherings too!

There’s just something so great about making recipes in the slow cooker because they do all the hard work for you and then you get to reap the rewards at the end. It’s a win win!

finished look at the slow cooker meatball appetizer recipe ready to serve

What do I need to make slow cooker frozen meatballs?

This is a really simple recipe for slow cooker meatball appetizer bites that everyone will love. You will need frozen homestyle meatballs, grape jelly, light brown sugar, garlic powder, chili sauce, orange juice, and green onions.

That’s it! Can you believe it? Most of these items you can keep on hand without any worries about things going back or spoiling. You can whip these up on a moments notice when you need an easy appetizer to feed a crowd.

After you make these meatballs with their sweet and spicy glaze you can store them in the refrigerator for a quick and easy snack or lunch that can be reheated in a flash.

ingredients needed to make this slow cooker meatball appetizer recipe

How to make meatballs in grape jelly and chili sauce:

I was not joking when I said these are easy to make sweet and spicy slow cooker meatballs. Once you give this recipe a try you will hooked. It’s quick to set up, simple to prepare, and everyone will devour them!

They are not too spicy and not too sweet, they are the perfect balance of the two and a great appetizer to share with a crowd. You can easily double the recipe to make a big vat of meatballs for parties, the leftovers are great so it’s never bad to have some extra!

Add the frozen meatballs into the bottom of the crockpot. 

meatballs in the crockpot before sauce is added

Next, add in the whole jar of chili sauce. 

chili sauce being added

Next, add in the grape jelly. 

grape jelly added to the mixture

Then add in the brown sugar, the garlic powder, and the orange juice. Stir everything together and make sure that all of the meatballs are completely covered. 

seasonings and orange juice addedd

Put the lid on the crockpot, turn it on and cook. 

If you are cooking on HIGH, they will be ready in 2 to 3 hours. 

If you are cooking on LOW, they will be ready in 4 to 6 hours. 

Crockpot full of finished meatballs

To serve, serve up in small ramekins, small bowls, or platters. Garnish with sliced green onions.

close up view of the finished garnished slow cooker meatball appetizer recipe.

Provide toothpicks or small appetizer forks so your guests can pick them up to nosh on them. 

another look at the finished slow cooker meatballs

You can also make a complete meal out of these meatballs by cooking up some white rice and serving the meatballs on top! 

Or if your family loves subs, serve these meatballs up on french bread and enjoy as sub sandwiches! 

finished meatballs on a spoon in the crockpot

Looking for more delicious recipes to try?

Here are some recipes that you will want to check out if you need more inspiration for appetizer recipes that go great for parties, game day celebrations, and more.

All of these recipes are sure to be crowd pleasers and they are easy to make!

side view of a plate full of the finished meatballs

Printable Slow Cooker Meatball Appetizer Recipe:

Yield: 12 Servings

Slow Cooker Meatball Appetizer

featured image showing the finished slow cooker meatball appetizer recipe

Crockpot Meatballs that have been slow cooking in a rich and tangy sauce are not only tender and flavorful, they are also easy to make! These delicious and flavorful meatballs are the perfect holiday appetizer. Make sure to make a double batch of these because your guests are going to love these!

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 10 minutes

Ingredients

  • 22 oz package frozen homestyle meatballs
  • 12 oz chili sauce - any brand
  • 1 cup grape jelly
  • ¼ cup light brown sugar
  • 1 Tablespoon garlic powder
  • ¼ cup orange juice
  • green onions - garnish

Instructions

  1. Add the frozen meatballs into the bottom of the crockpot. 
  2. Next, add in the whole jar of chili sauce. 
  3. Next, add in the grape jelly. 
  4. Then add in the brown sugar, the garlic powder, and the orange juice.
  5. Stir everything together and make sure that all of the meatballs are completely covered. 
  6. Put the lid on the crockpot, turn it on and cook. 
  7. If you are cooking on HIGH, they will be ready in 2 to 3 hours. If you are cooking on LOW, they will be ready in 4 to 6 hours. 
  8. To serve, serve up in small ramekins, small bowls, or platters. Garnish with sliced green onions.
  9. Provide toothpicks or small appetizer forks so your guests can pick them up to nosh on them. 
  10. You can also make a complete meal out of these meatballs by cooking up some white rice and serving the meatballs on top! 
  11. Or if your family loves subs, serve these meatballs up on french bread and enjoy as sub sandwiches! 

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

12

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 245Total Fat: 12gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 34mgSodium: 733mgCarbohydrates: 28gFiber: 2gSugar: 19gProtein: 8g
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