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    Home » Recipes » Appetizer

    Sweet and Spicy Bacon Wrapped Meatballs

    Modified: Dec 27, 2024 · Published: Aug 25, 2014 by Tonia Larson

    This post may contain affiliate links.

    ↓ JUMP TO RECIPE

    Sweet and Spicy Bacon Wrapped Meatballs are the perfect appetizer with meatballs wrapped in bacon and coated with brown sugar and seasoning!

    Sweet and spicy bacon wrapped meatballs.

    Several years ago, while Brian was traveling for work, he had bacon-wrapped chicken at a restaurant and has always remembered how good it was. So, last year I made Sweet and Spicy Sriracha Bacon Chicken Bites which we really enjoyed.

    But I wanted to try a similar appetizer, so I decided to go with meatballs this time. Before baking the bacon-wrapped meatballs, coat them with a mixture of brown sugar and chili powder. As they bake, the bacon gets crispy, the sugar caramelizes, and this easy appetizer becomes irresistible!

    How To Make

    Brown sugar and spices in a bowl.

    To make these sweet and spicy bacon-wrapped meatballs, mix together brown sugar and chili powder in a small bowl.

    Coated with seasoning.

    Spray a broiler pan with nonstick cooking spray. Cut a pound of bacon strips in half and wrap them around meatballs securing the bacon in place with a toothpick. Dredge the meatballs in the sugar and chili mixture, pressing to coat it well. Place them on the greased broiler pan.

    Baked on a pan.

    Bake at 350˚F for 30-35 minutes, depending on how you like your bacon.

    Sweet and spicy bacon wrapped meatballs.

    Not only did the bacon get crispy, the sugar got crunchy too, for some amazing texture and flavor.

    A meatball wrapped in bacon on a toothpick.

    Leave the toothpicks in the meatballs so that they are an easy-to-eat finger food at your party. Line them up on a tray and watch them disappear!

    Spicy and sweet bacon wrapped meatballs.

    Make Ahead and Storage

    • Make Ahead: To prep this appetizer ahead of time, wrap the meatballs with bacon and store them in an airtight container in the fridge overnight. Coat them in the brown sugar mixture before baking them.
    • Storage: Store the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
    Brown sugar spicy bacon wrapped meatballs.

    My daughter was waiting to go to a friend’s house but stuck around until these sweet and spicy bacon-wrapped meatballs came out of the oven so that she could taste one. She thought they were fabulous and wanted to bring some with her to her friend’s house to share!

    More Appetizers

    • Sweet and Spicy Sriracha Bacon Chicken Bites
    • Cowboy Caviar Cups
    • Cheese Bombs
    • Veggie Pizza
    Sweet and spicy bacon wrapped meatballs.

    Sweet and Spicy Bacon Wrapped Meatballs

    This easy appetizer recipe for Sweet and Spicy Bacon Wrapped Meatballs is perfect for parties. It's a game day recipe that everyone will enjoy.
    4.43 from 113 votes
    ↑ Click stars to rate!
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    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 45 minutes minutes
    Servings: 36
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    Ingredients

    • 1 lb bacon cut in half (my package had 18 slices so I had 36 half-slices of bacon)
    • 36 meatballs or as many as you have bacon slices
    • 1 cup brown sugar
    • 3 tablespoons chili powder

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 350˚F.
    • Mix together brown sugar and chili powder in a small bowl.
    • Spray a broiler pan with nonstick cooking spray.
    • Cut a pound of bacon strips in half and wrap them around meatballs (I used store bought, fully cooked Italian style meatballs that I thawed in the microwave before wrapping them with bacon.), securing the bacon in place with a toothpick.
    • Dredge the bacon wrapped meatballs in the sugar and chili mixture, pressing to coat it well.
    • Place them on the greased broiler pan and bake at 350˚F for 30-35 minutes, depending on how you like your bacon.
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    Nutrition

    Serving: 3meatballs | Calories: 114kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 18mg | Sodium: 93mg | Potassium: 87mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 293IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 0.3mg
    Course: Appetizer
    Cuisine: American
    Author: Tonia Larson

    More Appetizer Recipes

    • Blueberry salsa in a white bowl with a wooden spoon.
      Blueberry Salsa
    • Sweet corn flatbread pizza recipe.
      Sweet Corn Flatbread Pizza
    • Dill pickle salsa in a wooden bowl surrounded by tortilla chips.
      Dill Pickle Salsa
    • Spicy Chex mix recipe served in a wooden bowl.
      Spicy Snack Mix

    About Tonia Larson

    Hi! I’m Tonia, the owner and recipe creator at The Gunny Sack, where I’ve shared easy recipes for busy people for 14+ years! My family-friendly meals, easy side dishes, and delicious desserts include mouthwatering photos, dynamic videos, and step-by-step instructions to help you cook at home.

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    Comments

      4.43 from 113 votes (109 ratings without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Pam says

      December 11, 2024 at 4:29 pm

      5 stars
      One of our favorites for football season!

      Reply
    2. Diana says

      January 31, 2020 at 6:52 pm

      Can the leftovers be frozen and reheated again???

      Reply
    3. Lindsey says

      November 14, 2018 at 10:34 pm

      5 stars
      Is it possible to make these in a crockpot? ….or make them as the recipe suggests, and keep them warm in a crock pot? I would love to make these for our office party, but need to transport them to work in a crockpot. I am looking for recommendations (but really want to use your recipe!! Lol)

      Reply
      • Tonia says

        November 15, 2018 at 11:06 am

        Hi Lindsey,
        Yes, I would make them at home and then keep them warm in the crockpot. You can drape a paper towel over the crockpot before adding the lid. The paper towel will soak up the condensation and help to keep the bacon somewhat crispy. Like I did in this recipe: https://www.thegunnysack.com/slow-cooker-cheesy-potato-casserole-recipe/
        Best of luck,
        Tonia

        Reply
    4. Roz says

      February 10, 2018 at 1:16 pm

      Hi Tonia,
      My family and friends loved this recipe.
      Thanks

      Reply
    5. Cherie Waatti says

      September 13, 2017 at 6:31 pm

      5 stars
      It never crossed my mind to make as an appetizer..I made them for dinner…with crispy red potatoe bites…and eggs of easy…was big hit with my family!!!

      Reply
    6. Karyl Henry says

      February 12, 2016 at 3:42 pm

      I love everything bacon! These look so divine. I’ll have to try these at my next party

      Also I shared this recipe on my Super Bowl Recipe Roundup: http://karylskulinarykrusade.com/recipe-roundup-super-bowl

      Reply
    7. Linda says

      July 2, 2015 at 7:19 am

      Sounds so good! Shared on Reddit

      Linda

      Reply
    8. Barbara says

      February 3, 2015 at 8:54 pm

      5 stars
      Made these for Super Bowl Party and they were AWESOME! Getting ready to stock up for the upcoming poker card night. Great, easy recipe! You made me look good! (Always a good thing!) Thank you so much, I love your website and recipes!

      Reply
      • Tonia says

        February 4, 2015 at 8:29 am

        Wonderful! I am delighted to have you as a follower and I am so happy they turned out great. Thanks for stopping back to let me know! ~Tonia

        Reply
      • Sara Ortenzio says

        December 10, 2015 at 12:21 pm

        did you use pre made meatballs? if so which brand?

        Reply
        • Tonia says

          December 10, 2015 at 11:58 pm

          Hi Sarah! I used Casa di Bertacchi meatballs. They are available at Sam’s Club.

          Reply
    9. Shannon says

      December 2, 2014 at 7:27 pm

      Hello there! I’m planning to make these for a Christmas party this Friday, but due to time constraints I will have to prepare them the night before.. Do you think they will come out okay if cooked, stored overnight in the fridge and then reheated in the oven the following day for the party?

      Reply
      • Tonia says

        December 3, 2014 at 1:27 pm

        Hello Shannon,
        The bacon won’t be as crispy but other than that it should work just fine making them ahead of time.
        Enjoy!
        ~Tonia

        Reply
    10. Cathy says

      October 24, 2014 at 11:27 am

      Hi Tonia,
      Just wondering if the meatballs are fully cooked if they get dried out baking 45 minutes with the bacon?

      Reply
      • Tonia says

        October 24, 2014 at 10:10 pm

        Mine did not, but if you are concerned about it, only thaw the meatballs enough to get a toothpick inserts. Then, use partially cooked bacon and reduce the cook time. Best of luck!
        ~Tonia

        Reply
      • Carla says

        June 20, 2019 at 10:15 am

        I was wondering the same thing? Precooked meatballs baked for anther 45 min? Might end up like dried out hockey pucks??

        Reply
        • Tonia says

          June 20, 2019 at 10:53 am

          Hi Carla,
          It will depend on the size of your meatballs and the temperature you are cooking them at. The most important thing is to make sure that the meatballs have an internal temperature of 165˚F and you’ll know they are fully cooked.
          Enjoy!
          ~Tonia

          Reply
    11. Felicia says

      October 24, 2014 at 8:40 am

      How long do you thaw them in the microwave?

      Reply
      • Tonia says

        October 24, 2014 at 10:11 pm

        Just long enough to soften them to get the toothpicks through.

        Reply
    12. julia says

      October 11, 2014 at 7:09 pm

      Sounds exellent, I just discovered bacon wrapped mini potatos…wash potatos, pat dry, wrap with peppercorn crusted bacon, bake, enjoy! (Soak wooden tooth pics 15mins so they dont burn)

      Reply
      • Tonia says

        October 11, 2014 at 10:29 pm

        Ohhh…that sounds amazing! I’ve got to try that one! Thanks Julia!

        Reply
    13. Diane Roark says

      September 17, 2014 at 4:43 pm

      LOOKS Delish! Please let me know if it is NOT o.k. to use your post in a Bacon Roundup. It looks delish!

      Blessings,
      Diane Roark

      Reply
      • Tonia says

        September 18, 2014 at 9:31 am

        Thanks Diane!

        Reply
    14. Thea @ Baking Magique says

      September 5, 2014 at 2:43 pm

      What a creative recipe! Would never have come up with this myself!

      Reply
    15. Tonia says

      August 25, 2014 at 9:50 pm

      My son stashed a few in the fridge! 🙂

      Reply
      • Lisa says

        September 21, 2014 at 5:03 pm

        Can I make ahead and take to a party?

        Reply
        • Tonia says

          September 21, 2014 at 7:21 pm

          I haven’t tried that Lisa but you should be able to.

          Reply
    16. A Young Wife says

      August 25, 2014 at 8:55 pm

      These look so yummy!!! What an awesome mix! 🙂

      Reply
      • Tonia says

        August 25, 2014 at 9:49 pm

        Thanks!

        Reply
    Tonia Larson from The Gunny Sack.

    Hi, I'm Tonia! Welcome to The Gunny Sack, where I’ve shared easy recipes for busy people for 14+ years! Meet Tonia Larson →

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