If you are planning a party or need a crowd-pleasing appetizer, these gluten-free meatball recipes are a great place to start. I’ve rounded up my favorite bite-sized meatballs, grouped into two easy categories: Saucy Meatballs, perfect for serving straight from a slow cooker or buffet warmer, and Dippable Meatballs, lightly seasoned and ideal for pairing with your favorite sauces.
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Looking for the perfect bite-sized party food? These 8 gluten-free meatball appetizers are packed with flavor, easy to make, and guaranteed to be a hit with guests. From tangy BBQ meatballs to fresh herb-packed bites, this is your go-to list for crowd-pleasing gluten-free appetizers.
Each recipe is made with simple, gluten-free ingredients so you can serve them with confidence at any gathering. Many of these can be cooked in the air fryer, slow cooker, stovetop, or the oven. Most can be made ahead so you can spend more time with your guests instead of in the kitchen.
You can also try some of my other popular gluten-free appetizer recipes if you want to serve more than just meatballs!
Meatball Appetizer Serving Tips:
- Keep warm for guests: For Saucy Meatballs, use a slow cooker or buffet warmer to keep them tender.
- Easy grab-and-go: For Dippable Meatballs, set out cocktail picks or mini forks in a glass next to the platter.
- Plates within reach: Keep stacks of small appetizer plates nearby so guests can try more than one flavor.
- Sauce station: Offer 2-3 dipping sauces for variety – think marinara, BBQ, or sweet chili.
Meatball Cooking Tips:
- Mix the meatball ingredients in a large bowl so the seasonings are spread through the meatballs…this will ensure flavor in every bite.
- You always want to make sure that the meatballs are cooked all the way through before serving them. The easiest way is to use a meat thermometer and check the temperature.
- Be sure to make enough sauce so the meatballs stay tender.
Best Ways to Cook Meatballs:
- Instant Pot: Great for saucy meatballs because you cook them right in the sauce for maximum flavor.
- Crock Pot: Perfect for make-ahead saucy meatballs. Add meatballs and sauce, set to “warm,” and serve straight from the pot.
- Air Fryer: Ideal for dippable meatballs because they get crisp on the outside, stay juicy inside, and are ready fast.
- Oven-Baked: Works for both types of meatballs. Bake in a single layer for even cooking.
- Simmer in Sauce: Cooking the meatballs on the stove in the sauce keeps them moist and flavorful.
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What is the best internal temperature for meatballs?
The meatballs should have an internal temperature of 165º F. This digital thermometer can spot-check a few meatballs.
What bread crumbs are gluten-free?
You can use any gluten-free bread crumbs you choose or make your own homemade Gluten-Free Bread Crumbs at a fraction of the cost!
There are many delicious things you can use instead of bread crumbs when you make meatballs. Here are some of my favorites:
- Tortilla chips
- Crushed gluten-free crackers
- Ground pork rinds
- Rice crumbs – These used to be available at Trader Joe’s for a time, but now you have to order them online.
Should I sear meatballs before adding them to the sauce?
Searing is totally optional, depending on how you like your meatballs and which recipe you are following. Some recipes below include searing first, cooking them through first, and putting them into the sauce raw and letting them cook in the simmering sauce.
Saucy Gluten-Free Meatball Appetizers:
These meatballs cook in the sauce or are mixed in with sauce after they are cooked. Find BBQ, Sweet and Sour, and Thai Coconut.
Gluten-Free Meatballs for Dipping:
These meatballs are lightly seasoned, cooked, and perfect for pairing with your favorite dips
This post was updated from an older December 2018 post with more meatball tips for cooking.
Have a favorite?
We would love to hear if you have a great gluten-free meatball appetizer? Let me know what you use to make them, bread crumbs, crushed crackers, panko, or what? Please leave a comment. Thank you!
I truly hope you enjoy this recipe. I have been testing and creating gluten-free recipes for over 15 years. Creating gluten-free recipes that do not taste gluten-free is my goal for every recipe. Sometimes I only have to test a new recipe a couple of times, and others it takes multiple times. I do this so you get reliable, delicious results every time!
