Slow Cooker Apple Butter Meatballs Recipe
These Slow Cooker Apple Butter Meatballs are a perfect blend of sweet and tangy flavors, combining chili sauce, apple butter, and warm spices to create a deliciously easy appetizer or entrée. Made in the slow cooker for fuss-free cooking, these meatballs are tender, flavorful, and perfect for entertaining or family dinners.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours on HIGH or 5 hours on LOW
- Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes on HIGH or 5 hours 10 minutes on LOW
- Yield: Approximately 6-8 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Sauce Ingredients
- 12 oz. bottle chili sauce (Heinz recommended; avoid sriracha or Thai sweet chili sauce)
- 1 ½ cups apple butter (Musselman’s recommended)
- 1 cup pure maple syrup
- 1 Tbsp. molasses
- ¼ tsp. ground cloves
- ¼ tsp. ground cinnamon (or substitute with allspice)
Meatballs
- 40 oz. frozen precooked meatballs (two 20-ounce bags)
Instructions
- Prepare the sauce: In the slow cooker, combine the chili sauce, apple butter, pure maple syrup, molasses, ground cloves, and ground cinnamon. Stir the mixture thoroughly to create a smooth, well-blended sauce base.
- Add the meatballs: Place the frozen precooked meatballs into the slow cooker with the sauce. Toss the meatballs gently to coat them evenly with the apple butter sauce.
- Cook the meatballs: Cover the slow cooker and set it to cook on HIGH for 2.5 to 3 hours, or LOW for 4 to 5 hours. During cooking, stir occasionally to prevent the meatballs from sticking to the edges and burning.
- Serve: Once cooked through and sauce has thickened, serve the meatballs hot. They make a great appetizer or serve them as an entrée over mashed potatoes or rice accompanied by roasted vegetables.
Notes
- Use Heinz chili sauce for best flavor, avoiding spicy or Thai variants that alter the taste.
- Frozen precooked meatballs save time and cook well in the slow cooker.
- Ground cinnamon can be substituted with allspice for a different warm spice flavor.
- Occasional stirring helps prevent burning and ensures even cooking.
- This recipe is perfect for potlucks, parties, and easy weeknight dinners.
Keywords: apple butter meatballs, slow cooker meatballs, sweet and tangy meatballs, party appetizers, easy slow cooker recipes
Find it online: https://nayabaker.com/slow-cooker-apple-butter-meatballs-recipe/
