Buffalo Chicken Meatballs (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
Juicy, spicy and tangy, these buffalo chicken meatballs are everything you love about buffalo wings, just in bite-sized portions and easier to eat! Perfect as savory appetizers for game day parties, or whenever you want a tasty snack! Or, serve over rice or in sandwiches! Totally gluten-free and dairy-free too!
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Hot, Spicy and Flavorful Buffalo Meatballs
If you love the big bold flavors of buffalo wings, but aren’t such a big fan of chicken wings and getting the red sauce all over your fingers…then you’re in for a treat!
These juicy chicken meatballs are first baked in the oven and tossed in a buttery, spicy buffalo sauce – the perfect bite-sized snack that you’ll want to repeat over and over!
No more dirty sauce-stained fingers or wrestling with chicken bones. All the flavor, without the mess – just poke, eat and enjoy!
(You’ll also love this air fryer buffalo chicken bites and this buffalo chicken dip!)
Why You’ll Love this Recipe:
- Simple Ingredients: The main ingredients required for making this easy buffalo chicken meatballs recipe are easily accessible at the local grocer store (nothing fancy required!).
- Easy to Make: Preparing these ground chicken buffalo meatballs is relatively simple – just mix the ingredients together, then form balls and bake. Then toss the baked meatballs with a buttery-buffalo sauce and enjoy!
- Totally Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free: The best part is that these buffalo meatballs are 100% gluten-free and dairy-free, which means that even those with Celiac disease or gluten intolerances can enjoy them without issues!
Ingredients You’ll Need:
Here’s a visual overview of the ingredients required for making these gluten-free buffalo chicken meatballs.
(For exact measurements, please scroll down to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.)
Recipe Notes:
- Ground Chicken:Â I used ground chicken (lean ground chicken is healthier) because we’re making chicken meatballs, but you could easily swap it out for ground turkey and make turkey buffalo meatballs instead!
- Panko Breadcrumbs: I used gluten-free panko breadcrumbs to keep this recipe gluten-free, but if you are not Celiac or gluten-intolerant, go ahead and use regular panko breadcrumbs instead.
- Celery: Adding chopped celery adds a crunchy contrast in the meatballs, but make sure to chop the celery very finely.
- Egg: The egg helps to bind the ingredients together, so make sure you add it in.
- Butter: I used dairy-free butter to keep this recipe dairy-free. However, if you are not lactose-intolerant, go ahead and use regular butter instead.
- Buffalo Sauce: If you are Celiac or gluten-intolerant, make sure to use gluten-free buffalo sauce.
How to Make Buffalo Chicken Meatballs (Step by Step):
Prepare Sauce and Meatballs
Prepare the Sauce:Â In a microwave, melt the dairy-free butter and mix it with the gluten-free buffalo sauce, stirring until you get a smooth consistency. Set aside half the buffalo sauce for tossing in cooked meatballs.
Combine Meatball Ingredients:Â In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken, gluten-free panko breadcrumbs, chopped celery, egg, salt, ground pepper, and half the butter-buffalo sauce.
Mix to Get Meatball Mixture:Â Mix everything thoroughly until you get a homogeneous mixture.
Form Meatballs:Â Using wet hands, shape the meatball mixture into balls approximately 1-1.5 inches in diameter. Place the meatballs on the a parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet, leave 2 inches of space between each ball.
Bake, Toss in Sauce and Enjoy!
Bake:Â Bake at 360F for 25-30 minutes, until the chicken meat is cooked through.
Toss Meatballs in Remaining Sauce:Â Transfer the cooked chicken meatballs to a bowl and add the remaining buffalo sauce. You can reheat the sauce if needed. Feel free to add more buffalo sauce and melted butter if desired. Mix gently to coat each meatball.
Serve and Enjoy: Serve the gluten-free buffalo chicken meatballs with a sprinkle of chopped parsley, vegetable crudités such as celery sticks, extra buffalo sauce, blue cheese dip, or any of your favorite dipping sauce.
Dish by Dish Tips
- Condiments: I used salt and ground black pepper to season the meatball mixture, but you can also use garlic powder, onion powder, and chili powder for a kick of heat!
- Optional Garnish: I like sprinkling the meatballs with chopped parsley, but fresh chopped green onions or chives will work too.
- Sauces to Serve With: You can serve these meatballs with extra buffalo sauce, homemade ranch dressing, blue cheese dip, or your favorite dip.
- Pan-Fry the Meatballs: If you prefer not to bake the meatballs, go ahead and pan-fry them in a large skillet, making sure the meatballs are cooked and golden brown on the bottom before gently flipping them over to the other side and cooking some more until they are cooked through.
- Turn it into Dinner: For a satisfying but easy weeknight dinner, serve these chicken buffalo meatballs over rice (or cauliflower rice for a low-carb option).
- Storing: To store, place any leftover meatballs in an airtight container and store for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave before serving.
- Prepping Ahead: If you wish to prepare these buffalo chicken meatballs ahead of time, make sure to store the baked meatballs and the buffalo sauce separately. When ready to serve, heat up the meatballs and sauce and then toss together.
Other Meatball Recipes to Make:
- Easy Gluten-Free Meatballs (Dairy-Free)
- Swedish Meatballs (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
- Baked Chicken Meatballs (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
- Turkey Meatballs (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
Gluten-Free Appetizers You’ll Love:
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Buffalo Chicken Meatballs (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Juicy, spicy and tangy, these buffalo chicken meatballs are everything you love about buffalo wings, just in bite-sized portions and easier to eat! Perfect as savory appetizers for game day parties, or whenever you want a tasty snack! Or, serve over rice or in sandwiches! Totally gluten-free and dairy-free too!
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1/2 cup gluten-free panko breadcrumbs
- 3/4 cup finely chopped celery
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 4 tablespoons dairy-free butter
- 5 tablespoons gluten-free buffalo sauce
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce: In a microwave, melt the dairy-free butter and mix it with the gluten-free buffalo sauce, stirring until you get a smooth consistency. Set aside half the buffalo sauce for tossing in cooked meatballs.
- Combine Meatball Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken, gluten-free panko breadcrumbs, chopped celery, egg, salt, ground pepper, and half the butter-buffalo sauce.
- Mix to Get Meatball Mixture: Mix everything thoroughly until you get a homogeneous mixture.
- Preheat and Line: Preheat the oven to 360F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Form Meatballs: Using wet hands, shape the meatball mixture into balls approximately 1-1.5 inches in diameter. Place the meatballs on the prepared baking sheet, leave 2 inches of space between each ball.
- Bake: Bake for 25-30 minutes, until the chicken meat is cooked through.
- Toss Meatballs in Remaining Sauce: Transfer the cooked chicken meatballs to a bowl and add the remaining buffalo sauce. You can reheat the sauce if needed. Feel free to add more buffalo sauce and melted butter if desired. Mix gently to coat each meatball.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve the gluten-free buffalo chicken meatballs with a sprinkle of chopped parsley, vegetable crudités, blue cheese dip, or any of your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
Ground Chicken: I used ground chicken because we’re making chicken meatballs, but you could easily swap it out for ground turkey and make turkey buffalo meatballs instead!
Panko Breadcrumbs: I used gluten-free panko breadcrumbs to keep this recipe gluten-free, but if you are not Celiac or gluten-intolerant, go ahead and use regular panko breadcrumbs instead.
Celery: Adding chopped celery adds a crunchy contrast in the meatballs, but make sure to chop the celery very finely.
Egg: The egg helps to bind the ingredients together, so make sure you add it in.
Butter: I used dairy-free butter to keep this recipe dairy-free. However, if you are not lactose-intolerant, go ahead and use regular butter instead.
Buffalo Sauce: If you are Celiac or gluten-intolerant, make sure to use gluten-free buffalo sauce.
Storing: To store, place the gluten-free buffalo meatballs in an airtight container and store for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave before serving.
Prepping Ahead: If you wish to prepare these buffalo chicken meatballs ahead of time, make sure to store the baked meatballs and the buffalo sauce separately. When ready to serve, heat up the meatballs and sauce and then toss together.
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 50 mins
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
