Apple butter meatballs are the ultimate easy fall appetizer or meal. Frozen meatballs are slow cooked to perfection in a simple sauce made with sweet apple butter and tangy BBQ sauce.

If you need something a little different to feed your crown this autumn, this apple butter meatball recipe is a must try. Such a great combination of savory and sweet flavors and so easy to make.

Even though this is a super simple recipe, I wanted to test to find the best balance of flavors. I tried different ratios of apple butter to BBQ sauce and found that I like the apple butter to be noticeable but not overpowering.

I have also tested different meatballs and found that homestyle meatballs were my favorite. The cocktail sized meatballs also work well.

Want more meatball recipes, try these Mississippi meatballs and bacon wrapped meatballs.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Only three ingredients. It doesn’t get much easier than this meatball recipe.
• Great for entertaining. Serve these alongside some toothpicks for a fun and delicious appetizer.
• Perfect for fall. The apple butter gives these meatballs a hint of spiced apple flavor.

Ingredients

It’s hard to believe only three ingredients are needed for this flavorful bite.

• Frozen meatballs: Use your favorite frozen meatballs. I like using homestyle meatballs because the savory flavor goes well with the sauce. You don’t need to thaw them before cooking.
• Apple butter: Apple butter is the secret ingredient to this sauce. The subtle sweetness and spices gives this meatballs delicious fall flavor.
• BBQ sauce: I like using Sweet Baby Ray’s Original BBQ sauce but you can use your favorite.

How To Make Apple Butter Meatballs

Apple butter meatballs are so easy to make.

Step one: Spray the slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray.

Step two: Place the frozen meatballs, BBQ sauce, and apple butter in the slow cooker. Stir to coat the meatballs.

Step three: Cover and cook on low heat for 4-5 hours. I recommend stirring them a few times throughout the cooking process to help prevent the sauce from burning.

Step four: Serve over rice, mashed potatoes, pasta, or as an appetizer with a toothpick.

Heather’s Recipe Tips

• No need to thaw the meatballs.
• I recommend cooking on low heat. This helps to prevent the sauce from burning.
• Stir a few times throughout cooking to help the meatballs cook evenly.

Variations

• Meatballs: Use different meatballs like chicken or turkey meatballs.
• Pumpkin butter: Substitute the apple butter with pumpkin butter.
• Chili sauce: Substitute the BBQ sauce with chili sauce.
• Vegetables: Add a few vegetables like onions and bell peppers.
• Spicy: Make the meatballs spicy by adding a little hot sauce to the BBQ sauce.

Storage Instructions

Let the meatballs cool and then store in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. Reheat in the microwave, oven, or on the stove until heated through.

You can freeze these meatballs in a freezer safe container for up to 2 months.

Frequently Asked Questions

More Meatball Recipes

• Slow cooker bourbon meatballs
• Frozen meatballs in the crockpot
• Air fryer turkey meatballs