BBQ Meatball Sliders with Bacon Recipe

Ground beef: The base for the meatballs, providing a rich and savory flavor.

Breadcrumbs: Helps to bind the meatballs and give them structure.

Egg: Acts as a binder to hold the meatball mixture together.

Bbq sauce: Adds a tangy and smoky flavor to the meatballs.

Bacon: Adds a crispy, smoky element to the sliders.

Slider buns: Soft buns that hold the meatballs and toppings together.

When forming the meatballs, make sure to keep them uniform in size to ensure even cooking. Using a small ice cream scoop or a measuring spoon can help achieve this consistency. Additionally, avoid overmixing the ground beef mixture as it can make the meatballs dense and tough. Gently mix until just combined for the best texture.

• ground beef - Substitute with ground turkey: Ground turkey is a leaner option and provides a similar texture and flavor profile.

• ground beef - Substitute with ground pork: Ground pork offers a slightly richer flavor and can add more moisture to the meatballs.

• breadcrumbs - Substitute with crushed crackers: Crushed crackers can provide a similar binding effect and add a bit of extra flavor.

• breadcrumbs - Substitute with oats: Oats can act as a binder and add a bit of texture to the meatballs.

• beaten egg - Substitute with flaxseed meal and water mixture: A mixture of flaxseed meal and water can act as a vegan binder.

• beaten egg - Substitute with applesauce: Applesauce can be used as a binder and adds a hint of sweetness.

• bbq sauce - Substitute with teriyaki sauce: Teriyaki sauce provides a different but complementary flavor profile.

• bbq sauce - Substitute with honey mustard: Honey mustard offers a tangy and sweet alternative to BBQ sauce.

• cooked and crumbled bacon - Substitute with turkey bacon: Turkey bacon is a leaner option and provides a similar smoky flavor.

• cooked and crumbled bacon - Substitute with vegetarian bacon: Vegetarian bacon offers a plant-based alternative with a similar texture and flavor.

• slider buns - Substitute with mini brioche buns: Mini brioche buns add a touch of sweetness and a soft texture.

• slider buns - Substitute with lettuce wraps: Lettuce wraps provide a low-carb alternative and add a fresh crunch.

• Allow the meatballs to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make them soggy.
• Place the cooled meatballs in an airtight container. If stacking, separate layers with parchment paper to avoid sticking.
• Store the slider buns separately in a resealable plastic bag or airtight container to maintain their freshness.
• For freezing, arrange the meatballs on a baking sheet in a single layer and freeze until solid. This prevents them from sticking together.
• Once frozen, transfer the meatballs to a freezer-safe bag or container, removing as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn.
• Label the container with the date to keep track of freshness. Meatballs can be frozen for up to 3 months.
• To reheat, thaw the meatballs in the refrigerator overnight. Warm them in a saucepan with a bit of bbq sauce over medium heat until heated through.
• Reheat the slider buns in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5 minutes or until warm.
• Assemble the sliders just before serving to ensure the buns remain fresh and the meatballs are perfectly saucy.
• Store any leftover bacon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat in a skillet or microwave before using.

• Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the sliders on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
  3. Cover the sliders loosely with foil to prevent the buns from drying out.
  4. Heat for about 10-15 minutes, or until the meatballs are warmed through and the bacon is crispy again.

• Microwave Method:

  1. Place the sliders on a microwave-safe plate.
  2. Cover them with a damp paper towel to keep the buns from becoming too hard.
  3. Microwave on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure even heating.

• Stovetop Method:

  1. Heat a skillet over medium heat.
  2. Add a small amount of butter or olive oil to the skillet.
  3. Place the sliders in the skillet and cover with a lid.
  4. Heat for about 5-7 minutes, flipping halfway through to ensure even warming.

• Air Fryer Method:

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the sliders in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
  3. Heat for 3-5 minutes, or until the meatballs are hot and the bacon is crispy.

• Toaster Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your toaster oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the sliders on the toaster oven tray.
  3. Cover them loosely with foil to keep the buns soft.
  4. Heat for 10-12 minutes, or until the meatballs are thoroughly warmed.

• Oven: Used to bake the meatballs at a consistent temperature of 375°F (190°C).

• Mixing bowl: Essential for combining the ground beef, breadcrumbs, beaten egg, and half of the BBQ sauce.

• Baking sheet: Provides a flat surface to place the meatballs on while they bake in the oven.

• Spatula: Useful for mixing the meatball ingredients thoroughly.

• Measuring cup: Helps in accurately measuring the breadcrumbs and BBQ sauce.

• Whisk: Used to beat the egg before adding it to the meatball mixture.

• Skillet: Needed to cook the bacon until crispy.

• Tongs: Handy for turning the bacon in the skillet to ensure even cooking.

• Cutting board: Provides a surface to crumble the cooked bacon.

• Knife: Used to crumble the cooked bacon into small pieces.

• Serving platter: Ideal for assembling and presenting the sliders.

• Spoon: Useful for tossing the cooked meatballs in the remaining BBQ sauce.

Prepare ingredients ahead: Measure and mix breadcrumbs, bbq sauce, and ground beef in advance to streamline the process.

Use pre-cooked bacon: Save time by using store-bought cooked bacon that only needs to be crumbled.

Batch cooking: Double the meatball mixture and freeze half for a quick meal later.

Quick assembly: Lay out all slider buns and toppings before baking to speed up the final assembly.

Sheet pan method: Cook meatballs and bacon on the same sheet pan to reduce cleanup time.