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Easy • Pork

Oven-Baked Honey Chipotle Meatballs

These sweet and smoky meatballs are baked to perfection and coated in a irresistible honey-chipotle glaze, perfect for any occasion.

Prep
15 min
Cook
25 min
Servings
6
Level
Easy
Oven-Baked Honey Chipotle Meatballs

Get ready for a flavor explosion! These Oven-Baked Honey Chipotle Meatballs are incredibly easy to make and packed with that perfect balance of sweet and smoky heat. They're fantastic as an appetizer, over rice, or tucked into a sandwich. Plus, cleanup is a breeze!

Ingredients

Yield: 6 servings

For the Meatballs

  • 1 lb ground pork or ground beef (or a mix)
  • 1/2 cup plain breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp cumin
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper

For the Honey Chipotle Glaze

  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1-2 tbsp adobo sauce from a can of chipotles in adobo (adjust to spice preference)
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

  2. Step 2

    In a large bowl, combine all meatball ingredients: ground pork (or beef), breadcrumbs, milk, egg, minced garlic, chopped onion, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined, being careful not to overmix.

  3. Step 3

    Roll the mixture into 1-inch meatballs and place them on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each.

  4. Step 4

    Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through and lightly browned.

  5. Step 5

    While meatballs bake, prepare the glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together ketchup, honey, adobo sauce, apple cider vinegar, and smoked paprika until smooth.

  6. Step 6

    Once meatballs are cooked, remove them from the oven. Brush or spoon the honey chipotle glaze generously over the meatballs. Return to the oven for another 5-7 minutes, allowing the glaze to caramelize slightly.

  7. Step 7

    Serve hot, garnished with fresh cilantro if desired.

Tips

  • Don't overmix the meatball mixture, as it can lead to tough meatballs.
  • For extra heat, finely chop one of the chipotle peppers from the can and add it to the glaze.
  • These meatballs are great for meal prep! Cook them ahead of time and reheat gently.

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