Sticky Honey Garlic Meatballs are the kind of appetizer that disappears fast. They’re juicy on the inside, coated in a glossy sweet-savory sauce, and finished with a sprinkle of sesame seeds for just the right touch. Whether you’re hosting a game day spread or just want something fun for dinner, these hit the spot.

The sauce is packed with flavor and sticks to every bite, and thanks to the air fryer, the meatballs stay tender without needing a bunch of oil. You can even make them ahead and toss them in the sauce when you’re ready to serve.

Helpful Tips

Don’t overmix the meat: Stir the ingredients just until combined. Overmixing can make the meatballs dense instead of tender.
Use a scoop for even sizing: A small cookie scoop makes it easy to portion uniform meatballs so they cook evenly.
Make ahead and reheat: You can cook the meatballs in advance and refrigerate them. Reheat gently in the sauce just before serving.

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Sticky Honey Garlic Meatballs

Sticky Honey Garlic Meatballs are juicy on the inside, coated in a glossy sweet-savory sauce, and finished with a sprinkle of sesame seeds for just the right touch.

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Prep Time 15

Cook Time 8

Total Time 23

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American

Servings Servings

Calories 179 kcal

Ingredients

For the meatballs:

1 pound ground beef
1/2 cup Panko breadcrumbs
1 large egg
2 cloves garlic finely minced
2 green onions finely chopped
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

For the sauce:

1/3 cup honey
1/4 cup soy sauce less sodium
2 cloves garlic minced
1 tablespoon rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 tablespoon cornstarch + water
Sesame seeds and chopped green onions for garnish

Instructions

In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, green onion, soy sauce, salt, and pepper.
Mix gently just just combined. Don’t overmix, or the meatballs can turn tough.
Roll into 1-inch meatballs and place them in the air fryer basket. Make sure they aren’t touching. Cook them at 380° F for 8 minutes or until the meatballs reach an internal temperature of 165°F. Shake the basket half way.
In a skillet, combine honey, soy sauce, garlic, vinegar and sesame oil. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Stir in the cornstarch slurry and simmer until glossy and slightly thickened.
Add the cooked meatballs to the skillet and toss until fully coated in the sticky sauce.
Sprinkle with sesame seeds and chopped green onion for garnish.

Notes

Oven directions: Bake at 400°F for 18-20 minutes.

Nutrition

Calories: 179kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 10gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 49mgSodium: 600mgPotassium: 169mgFiber: 0.3gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 48IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 23mgIron: 1mg

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