This toaster oven meatballs are super delicious and easy to prepare, using meat, onion, sauce, cheese, and salt. A perfect meal solution for your daily life.
Meatballs are appreciated across the world, from Italy to IKEA. Meatball is hailed as an easy and delicious dinner. The perfectly cooked meatball should have a smooth, light, and bouncy texture, with the fat content lending juiciness and the crust contributing to a richer flavor profile.
You do not need an elaborate pantry to cook meatballs, only a regular oven will suffice. In this article, I have shared my favorite meatball recipe in a toaster oven. It has only 9 ingredients and takes less than an hour to make.
So, next time when you are craving meatballs, ditch your conventional oven as it takes forever to heat, and this toaster oven recipe instead. It is ideal for two servings, perfect for brunch or a late-night snack.
Benefits of Cooking Meatballs in a Toaster Oven
Cooking meatballs in a toaster oven provides several advantages over using a conventional oven.
- Cooks meatballs in a toaster oven faster than a conventional oven: The direct heat and smaller interior space of a toaster oven mean meatballs will be ready to eat more quickly.
- Uses less energy to cook meatballs in a toaster oven: With a smaller area to heat up, a toaster oven uses significantly less electricity to cook smaller batches of food like meatballs in a toaster oven.
- Easier to clean up: With less space than a large traditional oven, wiping down any spills or splatters from cooking meatballs in a toaster oven takes less time and effort.
- Perfect for small batches of meatballs in a toaster oven: Toaster ovens are ideal for cooking smaller amounts of food like meatballs, saving energy and extra time without heating your large kitchen oven.
Sauce Pairings for Meatballs in Toaster Oven
When cooking meatballs in a toaster oven, the right dipping sauce takes them to the next level. Here are sauce ideas to complement the flavor of oven-baked meatballs:
- Tangy BBQ Glaze: For a sweet and smoky flavor, brush meatballs in a toaster oven with a sticky barbecue glaze. Spice up the meatballs first with chili powder and cumin for a Tex-Mex-inspired meatball.
- Creamy Pesto Dip: For a herby flavor pairing, mix some basil pesto into mayonnaise or Greek yogurt to create a vibrant, creamy dipping sauce for meatballs in a toaster oven.
- Sweet & Sour Orange Glaze: Coat baked meatballs in the toaster oven in a sweet and sour orange sauce for an Asian-inspired appetizer. Serve alongside fried rice or rice noodles.
- Spicy Buffalo Ranch: For spicy meatballs, mix hot sauce and ranch dressing for a cool and spicy Buffalo-style dip. The tangy, creamy ranch balances the heat.
- Classic Marinara Sauce: No meatball is complete without a rich, tomatoey marinara sauce. Spoon this timeless sauce over meatballs in the toaster oven in subs or with pasta.
- Alfredo Sauce Indulgence: Smother meatballs in the toaster oven with a velvety alfredo sauce for a luxurious, creamy accompaniment. The rich cheese sauce pairs perfectly.
How to Make Meatballs in Toaster Oven
Sweet, smokey, and tender barbecue meatballs fresh from the toaster oven, glazed with tangy barbecue sauce for rich flavor in every bite.
Ingredients for Barbecue Meatballs in Toaster Oven
- 1 lb ground beef, chicken, or turkey extra-lean
- ¼ cup onion finely chopped
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- ¼ cup dry breadcrumbs plain or seasoned
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 egg beaten
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 cup barbecue sauce homemade or store-bought
- ¼ cup water
Instructions for Barbecue Meatballs in Toaster Oven
Follow these simple steps for juicy, barbecue-glazed meatballs baked to perfection in your toaster oven:
Step 1: Mix the Meatball Ingredients
In a large bowl, thoroughly mix 1 lb ground beef, 1/4 cup minced onion, 1/4 cup breadcrumbs, 1 egg, 2 Tbsp Parmesan cheese (optional), 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper, and 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce until well combined. Form the mixture into 25 evenly sized meatballs, each about 1 inch in diameter.
Step 2: Arrange Meatballs in Baking Dish
Lightly grease an 8-inch square glass baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Carefully arrange the preformed meatballs in the prepared baking dish in an even layer.
Step 3: Prepare & Pour Barbecue Sauce Mixture
In a separate small bowl, whisk together 1 cup barbecue sauce and 1/4 cup water. Pour this barbecue sauce mixture evenly over the meatballs until thoroughly coated.
Step 4: Bake Meatballs in a Toaster Oven
Bake the barbecue sauce-coated meatballs in the preheated toaster oven at 375°F for 35-37 minutes. Gently turn and stir the meatballs every 10 minutes to ensure even baking until fully cooked through without any pink meat remaining inside.
Step 5: Serve & Enjoy
Transfer the tender barbecue baked meatballs in a toaster oven to a serving platter and spoon any remaining sauce in the baking dish over top. Enjoy immediately as a delicious main course or appetizer!
How to Store Barbecue Meatballs
Barbecue meatballs can be prepped in advance for easy weeknight meals or entertaining. Here are some storage tips:
- Form the raw meatballs up to one day before baking. Keep the prepared meatballs refrigerated and covered until ready to cook. Bring meatballs to room temperature while preheating the toaster oven for faster, more even cooking.
- For cooked leftover barbecue meatballs, transfer them to an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The rich barbecue sauce keeps meatballs moist.
- Barbecue meatballs also freeze well for longer-term storage. Arrange baked meatballs in a single layer on a baking sheet and place in the freezer for 1-1.5 hours until firm. Transfer frozen meatballs to a freezer bag for easy access later. Removing only what you need avoids sticking.
Tips for Customizing the Meatball Recipe
The basic meatball recipe can be enhanced with various aromatic ingredients for added dimensions of flavor. Consider incorporating any of the following:
- Dried Oregano: Infuses an earthy, slightly floral aroma and herbal taste
- Onion & Garlic Powder: Provide a savory, rich umami kick
- Paprika: Adds a touch of sweetness and smokiness; use smoked Spanish paprika for bolder flavor
- Fresh Parsley: Brightens flavor with fresh, grassy notes
- Fennel Seeds: Contribute light licorice tones and pleasant crunch
- Rosemary: Brings a woodsy flavor and pine-like fragrance
- Dried Basil: Offers a sweet yet herbal profile with faint mintiness
- Ground Mustard: Gives a tangy flavor with a slight zing
- Red Pepper Flakes: Sprinkle in some heat and spice (*use lightly)
- Thyme: Earthy hints complement meat beautifully
- Sage: Notes of peppery brightness pair well with beef
- Cumin: Warm, faintly smoky flavor suits Southwestern styles
Mix and match herbs and spices to put your personal twist on basic meatballs baked in the toaster oven. Adjust amounts to taste as you experiment with each addition.
What to Serve with Barbecue Meatballs
When making tender barbecue meatballs in your toaster oven, half the fun is choosing the perfect sides and sauces.
- Fluffy white rice or whole grain rolls for soaking up sauce
- Cool, crisp sides like coleslaw, corn salad, cucumber slices to balance richness
- Barbecue sauce, sweet & sour sauce, or grape jelly to add a flavorful finish
Epilogue
Creating meatballs in a toaster oven from the comfort of your kitchen is easier than you think. By following the straightforward instructions, you can bake flavorful meatballs in a fraction of the time compared to using a conventional oven.
The small footprint of a toaster oven means you can cook conveniently even in tight spaces. So whether meal prepping for the week, entertaining guests, or simply feeding your family, meatballs in a toaster oven make for a fast, simple, and downright delicious dinner option.
And with endless possibilities to tweak herbs, spices, sauces, and proteins, each batch of oven-baked meatballs can become your new signature dish. Just mix, form, and bake, and in less than an hour, you’ll have piping hot and juicy meatballs ready to enjoy any way you like. Dining out can’t compete with the aroma of meatballs in a toaster oven cooking away in your kitchen.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of meat can I use for oven-baked meatballs?
Answer: You have flexibility with the protein used. Combine ground beef, pork, turkey, chicken, or veal. Mix meats and customize spices to create your ideal meatball flavor.
How do I keep the meatballs moist during baking?
Answer: Avoid overmixing the meat mixture and use egg and breadcrumbs to retain moisture. Watch cooking times closely and use a meat thermometer, being careful not to overbake, which causes dryness.
Can uncooked meatballs be frozen for later use?
Answer: Yes, freezing unbaked meatballs allows you to have ready-to-cook protein on hand. Shape meatballs then freeze solid on a parchment-lined baking sheet before transferring to an airtight container. Adjust bake times when cooking frozen meatballs in a toaster oven.
Toaster Oven Meatballs
Equipment
- Baking Dish
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef chicken, or turkey extra-lean
- ¼ cup onion finely chopped
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese optional
- ¼ cup dry breadcrumbs plain or seasoned
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 egg beaten
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 cup barbecue sauce homemade or store-bought
- ¼ cup water
Instructions
- In a large bowl, thoroughly mix 1 lb ground beef, 1/4 cup minced onion, 1/4 cup breadcrumbs, 1 egg, 2 Tbsp Parmesan cheese (optional), 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper, and 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce until well combined. Form the mixture into 25 evenly sized meatballs, each about 1 inch in diameter.
- Lightly grease an 8-inch square glass baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Carefully arrange the preformed meatballs in the prepared baking dish in an even layer.
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together 1 cup barbecue sauce and 1/4 cup water. Pour this barbecue sauce mixture evenly over the meatballs until thoroughly coated.
- Bake the barbecue sauce-coated meatballs in the preheated toaster oven at 375°F for 35-37 minutes. Gently turn and stir the meatballs every 10 minutes to ensure even baking until fully cooked through without any pink meat remaining inside.
- Transfer the tender barbecue baked meatballs in a toaster oven to a serving platter and spoon any remaining sauce in the baking dish over top. Enjoy immediately as a delicious main course or appetizer!
At Bridge House Tavern, we’re more than a team of food enthusiasts; we’re a culinary journey waiting to be savored. Our five-member crew is on a relentless quest to explore, create, and share the wonders of the gastronomic world.
