Buffalo Chicken Meatballs (Game Day Appetizer!)

If buffalo wings are always the first thing to disappear at your house on game day… you’re going to LOVE these.

These Buffalo Chicken Meatballs have all that spicy, tangy wing flavor — but in an easy little bite that’s made for toothpicks, dipping, and “oops I ate six” moments. They’re perfect for Super Bowl snacking, potlucks, or anytime you need a crowd-pleasing appetizer without the mess of wings.

My family has a deep love for anything with buffalo sauce.  Crispy Oven Fried Ranch Buffalo Chicken Stripsare on regular rotation on our dinner table, and  Buffalo Chicken Mac ‘n Cheese is a wintertime favorite — especially for football Sundays.

If you’re a fan of buffalo chicken wings like my family, you’re going to love these buffalo chicken meatballs!  They are a perfect party appetizer, great for Super Bowl parties or even a light dinner when you’re craving hot wings!

Why We Love These Buffalo Chicken Meatballs

• All the flavor of buffalo wings… without the mess. No sticky fingers, no pile of bones.
• Perfect party food. They’re bite-sized, easy to serve, and they disappear FAST.
• Simple ingredients. Nothing fancy — just pantry + fridge staples doing their thing.
• Great for make-ahead. You can prep them early and heat them when the party starts.
• They work for everything. Appetizer, sliders, party platter… even dinner with a side salad.

Buffalo Chicken Meatballs Ingredients

To make the best chicken meatballs you’ll need the following:

• lean ground chicken
• panko crumbs
• ranch dressing mix
• buffalo wing sauce
• spices: garlic, green onions, celery salt, onion flakes, salt and pepper
• egg

Game Day Serving Idea

Set these out on a big platter with toothpicks and a couple dips (ranch + blue cheese are always winners). If you’re building a Super Bowl snack spread, add chips + queso, a veggie tray, and something sweet — and you’ve got yourself a “no one leaves hungry” situation.

How To Make Buffalo Chicken Meatballs

Set these out on a big platter with toothpicks and a couple of dips (ranch + blue cheese are always winners). If you’re building a Super Bowl snack spread, add chips + queso, a veggie tray, and something sweet — and you’ve got yourself a “no one leaves hungry” situation.

Making these meatballs couldn’t be easier — mix, scoop, bake, toss in buffalo sauce, and try not to eat half the pan before serving.

Kitchen Tools Used:

• large baking sheet pan
• parchment paper
• mixing bowl
• cookie scoop (optional but easy way to make uniform-size meatballs)

STEP 1: I use my clean hands to mix all of the ingredients together in a large mixing bowl.

STEP 2: Roll mixture into one-tablespoon balls – this is where a cookie scoop comes in handy.

STEP 3: After they bake for 15 minutes, remove from the oven an cool for 5 minutes.

STEP 4: Place meatballs in a bowl and toss in remaining buffalo sauce (we like Franks RedHot Wing Sauce).

STEP 5: Place meatballs back on the baking pan and bake for another 10 minutes*.

Serve with ranch or blue cheese dressing drizzled on top or on the side for dipping.

Storage

You can refrigerate these buffalo chicken meatballs for up to 4 days, stored in an airtight container.

As for freezing, this homemade meatball recipe freezes exceptionally well. Consider doubling the batch and freezing half after baking; just thaw for busy nights or quick lunches. To enjoy, simply microwave or heat on a baking sheet in a 350°F oven when ready to eat!

*Serving TIP

If you’re serving a crowd, you could skip the second visit to the oven, and just place them in a slow cooker and cover with buffalo sauce.

Cook on low at least 30 minutes before serving.

Chicken Meatballs FAQs

Is it better to bake meatballs in the oven?

For a hassle-free and healthier meatball cooking, opt for baking them on a sheet pan in the oven. This method not only makes cleanup a breeze by allowing you to discard the parchment paper and give your baking sheet a quick rinse but also promotes a healthier option.

Baking allows excess fat to drain off the meatballs, unlike frying, which can add extra calories from oil.

What temperature should chicken meatballs be cooked to?

Meatballs made with ground chicken should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). It’s important to ensure that chicken, being a poultry product, reaches this temperature to be safe for consumption. Use a food thermometer to check the internal temperature of the meatballs.

Can I make buffalo chicken meatballs ahead of time?

Yes! You can bake them ahead, refrigerate, and reheat when ready to serve. They’re perfect for party prep.

How do you keep buffalo chicken meatballs warm for a party?

The easiest way is to keep them warm in a slow cooker on LOW with extra buffalo sauce — set it and forget it.

Secrets to the Best Buffalo Chicken Meatballs

• Gently Handle: Mix the meatball batter with your hands, careful not to overmix. Avoid pressing the meat mixture into overly compact rounds; this ensures a tender texture and prevents the meatballs from becoming tough. Maintaining a loose and gentle formation ensures even cooking and a more tender texture.
• Even Sizing: Maintain consistency in cooking by shaping your meatballs into uniform sizes. This ensures that all meatballs cook evenly and are done at the same time.
• Proper Cooking Time: Bake the meatballs at the recommended temperature and duration to achieve a juicy and flavorful result. Be cautious not to overcook, as this can lead to dry meatballs.
• Balanced Spice: Achieve the perfect level of heat by adjusting the amount of buffalo sauce to suit your preference. Taste the mixture before forming the meatballs to ensure it’s just right.

We love these because they taste just like buffalo wings — but they’re easier, less messy, and honestly more party-friendly. And don’t wait for football season to make them… because once you try them, you’ll be looking for excuses to make them.

Like This Recipe?

I’d love to hear what you think! Leave a review below and let me know how you liked the recipe!

Pin on Pinterest Leave a 5-Star Review

Buffalo Chicken Meatballs

Yield: about 34-36 meatballs
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes

Buffalo Chicken Meatballs with ranch have all the flavors of buffalo hot wings, with out the guilt in this finger-lickin' good appetizer recipe.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground chicken
• 1 cup panko crumbs (or dry bread crumbs)
• 1 (1 ounce) packet ranch dressing mix
• 1 large egg
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup buffalo wing sauce (divided)
• 5-6 green onions, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon celery salt
• 1/2 teaspoon onion flakes
• salt and pepper, to taste
• ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping (or drizzle)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°. Line a baking sheet pan with parchment paper (or lightly grease).
2. In a large bowl combine ground chicken, bread crumbs, ranch mix, egg, garlic, 1 tablespoon buffalo wing sauce, green onions, celery salt, onion flakes, salt and pepper.
3. Roll mixture into 1 tablespoon balls and place on prepared baking sheet.
4. Place pan of meatballs in oven for 15 minutes.
5. Remove from oven and let cool 5 minutes on pan. Pour remaining hot wing sauce in a shallow bowl, add meatballs and toss to coat, and place meatballs back on baking pan.
6. Place pan of meatballs back in oven to bake another 10 minutes*.
7. Serve immediately with ranch or blue cheese dressing.

Notes

*You could also coat and keep warm in a slow cooker; after baking for initial 15 mintues, place meatballs in a slow cooker and add enough buffalo wing sauce to cover meatballs, heat on low at least 30 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 36
Serving Size: 1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 47
Total Fat: 2g
Saturated Fat: 1g
Trans Fat: 0g
Unsaturated Fat: 2g
Cholesterol: 19mg
Sodium: 232mg
Carbohydrates: 3g
Fiber: 0g
Sugar: 0g
Protein: 4g

Nutrition information is estimated based on the ingredients and cooking instructions as described in each recipe and is intended to be used for informational purposes only. Please note that nutrition details may vary based on methods of preparation, origin, and freshness of ingredients used and are just estimates. We encourage, especially if these numbers are important to you, to calculate these on your own for most accurate results.

Looking for more buffalo chicken recipes? Try our crowd-favorite Buffalo Chicken White Chili, the classic Buffalo Chicken Dip, our popular Buffalo Chicken Pizza, and everyone’s favorite….Buffalo Cheese Fries.

Originally posted in January 2017. UPDATED January 2026. We spiffed up this post with more information. No changes were made to the recipe.