Description
These Donkey Balls are a fun and delicious treat! A savory snack made with a blend of ground beef, cheese, and spices, shaped into bite-sized balls and baked to perfection. Great for parties, appetizers, or as a tasty snack!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey, if preferred)
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
- 1/4 cup chopped green bell pepper (optional)
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons ketchup (optional, for glaze)
- Salt to taste
Instructions
-
1. Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
2. Prepare the Donkey Balls:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, shredded cheddar cheese, breadcrumbs, chopped onion, green bell pepper (if using), garlic powder, smoked paprika, oregano, black pepper, egg, Worcestershire sauce, and salt. Mix until all ingredients are well combined.
- Scoop out small portions of the mixture and roll them into 1-inch meatballs (or larger if preferred).
3. Bake the Donkey Balls:
- Place the formed meatballs onto the prepared baking sheet, making sure they are spaced apart.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the meatballs are browned and cooked through (the internal temperature should reach 160°F or 71°C for beef).
4. Optional Glaze:
- If you’d like a sweet and tangy glaze on top of the Donkey Balls, mix together 2 tablespoons of ketchup and a teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce. Brush this glaze over the meatballs about 5 minutes before they’re done baking.
5. Serve:
- Once the Donkey Balls are cooked, remove them from the oven and let them rest for a few minutes.
- Serve them warm with your favorite dipping sauce, like ranch, BBQ sauce, or hot sauce.
Notes
- Variation: For a spicy twist, you can add some finely chopped jalapeños or chili flakes to the meat mixture.
- Make Ahead: You can prep the meatballs and refrigerate them for up to 24 hours before baking. Alternatively, you can freeze the uncooked meatballs and bake them when you’re ready.
- Serve with: These are great as an appetizer for parties, or you can serve them with rice, pasta, or as a slider filling.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 35mg