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Honey Buffalo Crockpot Meatballs

Topic: Quick & Tasty One Pot Meals

These meatballs slowly simmer in a flavorful honey buffalo sauce, blending sweet and spicy notes for a crowd-pleasing dish. Using pre-cooked frozen meatballs makes preparation quick and easy. The sauce combines buffalo wing sauce, honey, ketchup, brown sugar, soy sauce, and garlic powder to create a rich glaze that coats the meatballs perfectly. Slow cooking allows flavors to meld while keeping the meatballs tender and juicy. Garnish with green onions or sesame seeds for added texture and color. Ideal as a game day appetizer or a quick weeknight meal.

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By racha Racha
Last modified on Sat, 08 Nov 2025 18:59:47 GMT
A plate of meatballs covered in honey buffalo sauce. Bookmark
A plate of meatballs covered in honey buffalo sauce. | recipesbyracha.com

These Honey Buffalo Crockpot Meatballs bring together the perfect balance of sweet and spicy with minimal effort. Tender, fullycooked meatballs simmer gently in a luscious honey buffalo sauce, making this recipe ideal for game days, casual parties, or quick weeknight dinners where you want bold flavor without standing over the stove.

I first made these during a hectic weekend game day, and they quickly became a goto that both kids and adults fight over. The sticky sauce is addictive and perfect for snacking or pairing with rice.

Ingredients

  • Meatballs: Two pounds frozen fullycooked meatballs choose beef, chicken, or turkey depending on preference for protein and texture
  • Buffalo wing sauce: One cup provides the bold spicy base opt for mild or medium depending on heat tolerance
  • Honey: Half cup the sweet element that balances the buffalo heat with a natural glaze
  • Ketchup: Quarter cup adds a mild tang and depth to the sauce
  • Brown sugar: Two tablespoons enhances the sweetness and caramelizes slightly during cooking
  • Soy sauce: One tablespoon brings umami richness and balances flavors
  • Garlic powder: One teaspoon adds savory kick without overpowering
  • Salt and pepper: To taste essential to bring all flavors together
  • Optional garnishes: Chopped green onions, sesame seeds, and crushed red pepper flakes add fresh crunch, nuttiness, or extra heat for serving

Instructions

Make the sauce:
Whisk together buffalo wing sauce, honey, ketchup, brown sugar, soy sauce, and garlic powder in a medium bowl until consistently smooth. This sauce will coat and flavor the meatballs thoroughly.
Add meatballs:
Place the frozen meatballs evenly in your slow cooker. Pour the sauce over the meatballs and gently stir with a spoon or spatula to coat all pieces without breaking them apart.
Cook:
Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook the meatballs on the LOW setting for 3 to 4 hours. If you need to speed things up, use the HIGH setting and cook for 2 to 2 and a half hours. Halfway through cooking, open the lid and stir gently to redistribute the sauce and ensure the meatballs stay evenly coated.
Serve:
Before serving, give the meatballs a final good stir to mix up any sauce that has settled. Keep the slow cooker on the WARM setting if serving at a party to keep them ready to enjoy throughout the event.
Garnish:
Garnish as desired with chopped green onions, a sprinkle of sesame seeds, or a dash of crushed red pepper flakes for added texture and flavor brightness.
A plate of meatballs with sauce on a wooden table.
A plate of meatballs with sauce on a wooden table. | recipesbyracha.com

The honey is my favorite ingredient here because it tames the heat while adding a silky, sticky glaze that keeps these meatballs memorable. I always think of my cousin's birthday party when I made a huge batch that disappeared within minutes everyone loves the fun contrast of flavors.

Storage Tips

Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to four days. To reheat warm gently on the stove or microwave stirring occasionally to keep the sauce glossy and evenly coating the meatballs. For freezing portion the meatballs with sauce in freezersafe containers or heavyduty bags and thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating thoroughly.

Ingredient Substitutions

Swap the frozen fullycooked meatballs for homemade ones if you prefer fresh just cook them fully before adding to the slow cooker. Use maple syrup or agave nectar instead of honey for a different but equally sweet glaze. Tamari can replace soy sauce for a glutenfree option maintaining the umami depth.

Serving Suggestions

Serve these meatballs on slider buns for a fun handheld meal perfect for parties or casual dinners. Pair with steamed white rice or cauliflower rice to soak up the extra sauce and add a side of crunchy celery sticks or carrot slices as a crisp refreshing contrast to the rich and spicy meatballs.

A plate of meatballs covered in honey buffalo sauce.
A plate of meatballs covered in honey buffalo sauce. | recipesbyracha.com

These sticky sweet and spicy meatballs are a crowd pleaser for parties or weeknight meals. Serve warm and garnish as desired.

Common Questions About Recipes

→ Can I use homemade meatballs instead of frozen?

Yes, homemade meatballs can be used. Just pre-cook them before adding to the slow cooker to ensure they cook through properly.

→ How can I adjust the spiciness level?

Use mild buffalo wing sauce for less heat or increase the honey amount to balance the spiciness according to your taste.

→ What garnishes complement these meatballs?

Chopped green onions, sesame seeds, and crushed red pepper flakes add extra flavor and texture as garnishes.

→ Can these meatballs be served as a main dish?

Yes, serving them over rice or inside rolls makes for a satisfying main course with bold flavors.

→ How long do leftovers keep?

Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or freeze for up to 2 months, maintaining flavor and texture.

Honey Buffalo Crockpot Meatballs

Tender meatballs cooked slowly in a sweet and spicy honey buffalo sauce, ideal for casual meals and gatherings.

Prep Time
5 minutes
Cooking Time
240 minutes
Total Time
245 minutes
By racha: Racha

Recipe Category: One Pot Meals

Skill Level: Great for Beginners

Culinary Style: American

Makes: 6 Servings (6 to 8 servings as appetizer, 4 servings as main dish)

Diet Preferences: No Dairy

What You'll Need

→ Main

01 2 lbs frozen fully-cooked meatballs (beef, chicken, or turkey)

→ Sauce

02 1 cup buffalo wing sauce (mild or medium)
03 ½ cup honey
04 ¼ cup ketchup
05 2 tbsp brown sugar
06 1 tbsp soy sauce
07 1 tsp garlic powder
08 Salt and pepper, to taste

→ Optional Garnishes

09 Chopped green onions
10 Sesame seeds
11 Crushed red pepper flakes

Steps to Follow

Step 01

In a mixing bowl, whisk together buffalo wing sauce, honey, ketchup, brown sugar, soy sauce, and garlic powder until smooth.

Step 02

Place frozen meatballs into the slow cooker and pour the sauce over them. Stir gently to coat evenly.

Step 03

Cover and cook on LOW for 3 to 4 hours or on HIGH for 2 to 2½ hours. Stir once halfway through cooking for uniform flavor distribution.

Step 04

Stir well before serving. Keep warm during gatherings. Optionally, garnish with chopped green onions, sesame seeds, or crushed red pepper flakes for added flavor.

Additional Tips

  1. For milder heat, use mild buffalo sauce or increase honey to balance spiciness.
  2. Homemade meatballs can be substituted if pre-cooked before adding to the slow cooker.
  3. Leftovers refrigerate well up to 4 days or freeze for up to 2 months.
  4. Serve over rice or inside rolls for a more substantial dish.

Must-Have Gear

  • Slow cooker (crockpot)
  • Mixing bowl
  • Whisk or spoon

Potential Allergy Info

Check product labels for allergens and consult your healthcare provider if unsure.
  • Contains soy (soy sauce)

Nutritional Details (Per Portion)

Nutritional info is provided for guidance and isn’t a substitute for professional health advice.
  • Calories: 290
  • Fat: 15 g
  • Carbohydrates: 22 g
  • Protein Content: 14 g