These game day crunchy meatballs take classic comfort food to the next level with an unexpected ingredient: potato chips. The crushed chips mixed into the meat create a satisfying crunch and extra flavor that sets these apart from ordinary meatballs.
Perfect for football parties, tailgating, or any casual gathering, these smoky meatballs deliver all the familiar flavors you expect with a crispy twist that keeps people coming back. They’re easy enough for weeknight dinners but special enough for entertaining.
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Table of contents
Easy Game Day Meatballs
This smoked appetizer works perfectly for game day parties, backyard barbecues, potluck dinners, or any time you want finger food that’s hearty and satisfying. Smoking adds that signature smoky flavor while keeping the exterior crispy and the inside tender.
The crushed corn chips create a golden, crunchy shell that contrasts beautifully with the juicy meat inside. Serve them with toothpicks for easy eating, or pair with your favorite dipping sauces. These crowd-pleasing meatballs disappear quickly, so consider making a double batch for larger gatherings.
What You’ll Need to Cook Crunchy Meatballs
- Ground Beef
- Ground Pork
- Egg
- Breadcrumbs
- Salt
- White Onion
- Worcestershire Sauce
- Parsley
- Herbs of Provence or Italian Seasoning
- Corn Chips
- Garlic
How to Make Crunchy Meatballs
Step 1: Prepare the meatballs
In a large mixing bowl, add in the ground meat, salt, Italian seasoning, minced garlic, egg, breadcrumbs, 1/2 grated white onion, chopped parsley, and Worcestershire sauce.
With your hands, mix all the ingredients. Using a small cookie scooper, scoop out 1″ sized meatballs and place the rolled meatballs on a wire rack.
Step 2: Smoke the meatballs
Smoke the meatballs at 250°F for about an hour. The meatballs are ready when the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
Step 3: Finish the meatballs
Add a few handfuls of chips in a ziplock bag and crunch them by hand or with a mallet until they are broken down into fine pieces. Coat the meatballs in barbecue sauce and with a toothpick, pick 1 meatball and roll it in the crushed chips.
Serve and enjoy!
Variations For Meatballs
Customize the Seasoning: Add red pepper flakes, brown sugar, or other seasonings to the meat mixture to alter the taste and meet your personal preferences.
Try Fun Add-Ins: Some people put cheese cubes in the center of the meatballs for a delicious surprise twist that melts as they cook.
Make Your Own Sauce: Instead of store-bought BBQ sauce, create a homemade sauce using your favorite ingredients for a more personalized flavor profile.
Save Time: If you don’t have time to make meatballs from scratch, you can use store-bought meatballs. We won’t tell anyone!
Healthier Option: Try making chicken meatballs for a leaner alternative that still delivers great flavor and crunch.
Alternative Cooking Methods: Don’t have a pellet smoker? You can make these in a deep fryer, Dutch oven, or slow cooker with equally delicious results.
What Temperature to Smoke Meatballs at
Smoke these meatballs at 250°F. These meatballs should reach an internal temperature of 160°F. That is the safe cooking temperature for ground beef and ground pork. This should take about an hour.
Check the temperature with a meat thermometer. If the middle of the meatballs is 160°F, they are safe to remove from the heat.
How To Store Leftover Crunchy Meatballs
Refrigerate meatballs for up to a week in an airtight container. You can freeze them for longer if you have a freezer bag for them.
My Favorite Wood Chips for Crunchy Meatballs
You can use your favorite wood chips for this recipe.
Mild chips like applewood or cherry would leave a faint taste. Something hearty like mesquite or hickory will leave a bolder flavor.
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What To Serve With Crunchy Meatballs
If you want more game-day appetizers to complement the meatballs, try some of these recipes:
Crunchy Meatballs
Ingredients
- 1 lbs Ground Beef
- .5 lbs Ground Pork
- 1 whole Egg
- ½ cup Breadcrumbs
- 1 tbsp Salt
- ½ whole White Onion
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
- ½ cup Parsley
- 2 tbsp Italian Seasoning
- 2 bags Corn Chips
- 1 tbsp Garlic
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine all the ground meat, salt, breadcrumbs, 1/2 grated white onion, Italian seasoning, minced garlic, egg, chopped parsley, and Worcestershire sauce.
- Mix all the ingredients together, then use a cookie scooper or spoon to scoop out 1″ sized meatballs, roll between your palms, and place the meatballs on a rack.
- Step 2: Cook
- If you are using the oven: preheat to 350°F; when it reaches the temperature, cook for 35 minutes or until the meatballs reach 160°F.
- If your grilling: preheat to medium high and cook, turn 1/4 every 3-4 minutes, cook for 20 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
- Drain the fat from the pan, then add the BBQ sauce.
- Step 3: Finish the meatballs
- Place two-three cups of chips in a ziplock bag and crunch them until they are broken down into fine pieces.
- Coat the meatballs in barbecue sauce. With a toothpick, pick one meatball and roll it in the crushed chips.
Smoke On!
Charlie
Author: Charlie Reeves
Hi, I’m Charlie, I have been meat-smoking and grilling for the past 15 years. I have an array of different smokers, thermometers, and have a love for finding the right wood and charcoal combo My favourite recipes are my EXTRA CRISPY smoked pork belly, juicy pulled pork, smoked brisket, duck poppers, and ANY SEAFOOD I grill).
I loves sharing his tips with beginners, helping them navigate the world of smoking. I find it’s not just about cooking; it’s a quest for that perfect smoky flavor.
You will usually find me playing with the kids, perfecting my brisket bark, or sipping beers with boys around the fire. Can’t wait to share all my delicious smoking and grilling recipes with you!
You can read more about me on our About Us page.
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