Appetizers

Fresno Chili Pepper Sweet and Spicy Glazed Meatballs

Print recipe

Difficulty:

Easy

Prep Time:

25 minutes

Cook Time:

10 minutes

Total Time:

35 minutes

These Fresno Chili Glazed Meatballs pack the perfect balance of sweet heat and savory richness. A quick homemade glaze made with Mezzetta® Fresno Chili Peppers, sugar, and red wine vinegar adds a bright, tangy kick that pairs beautifully with tender beef meatballs seasoned with garlic, smoked paprika, and panko.

Baked and broiled for a crisp finish, the meatballs are tossed in the vibrant chili glaze and topped with a fresh slice of Fresno pepper for a pop of color and spice. Easy, bold, and crowd-pleasing, they’re an ideal appetizer for parties, holidays, or any occasion that calls for big flavor in a small bite.

Ingredients

Makes 8 servings 1x 2x 4x

1/2 cup Fresno Chili Peppers plus more for serving
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
1 lb ground beef
2/3 cup panko breadcrumbs
1 large egg
2 garlic cloves grated
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
High quality extra virgin olive oil for drizzling

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 450°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Add the fresno chilis, sugar and red wine vinegar to a blender and blend until smooth. Transfer the mixture a small sauce pot and bring to a boil over medium high heat. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, stirring often, until the mixture is reduced and thickened, about 3-5 minutes.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the beef, panko, egg, grated garlic, salt and smoked paprika. Once fully combined, roll into 1 tablespoon sized meatballs and place onto the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and transfer to the oven to bake for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, switch the oven to broil and broil until fully cooked and browned, about 5 minutes longer.
Transfer the hot meatballs to a large bowl, add the Fresno chili glaze and toss to coat. Place the meatballs onto a large platter, top with a slice of Fresno chili and add a toothpick before serving.
Enjoy!