These Buffalo Chicken Meatballs are everything you love about a wing, packed into a tasty boneless bite. They are easy and also gluten free and dairy free.
Pictures updated 12/18 and recipe slightly adjusted to make them even better.
Buffalo wings are delicious, but they aren't exactly make ahead food. They're really good right out of the oven when the skin is crispy, but leftover they're kind of soggy and that's what is great about these meatballs. They have all the flavor of a wing and they are just as good the next day.
Ingredients for buffalo chicken meatballs
Ground chicken or turkey- these meats are interchangeable and will give the same end flavor and texture.
Almond flour- just a little is used as a binder. A gluten free mix flour mix would also work.
Egg- this also helps hold the meatballs together.
Buffalo sauce- Franks is the most popular brand and what I use. A little is used in the meatballs as well as making a sauce to coat them in.
Spices- garlic, onion and salt are classic and pull all the flavors together
Ghee- this is mixed with more Frank's to roll the meatballs in for that punch of flavor. Butter flavored coconut oil can be used to make these completely dairy free.
Making the sauce
Melt the ghee and red hot sauce together in a pan while the meatballs are in the oven. After 10 minutes put the meatballs in the sauce, in batches, and completely coat them in the sauce. Repeat this once more after another 10 minutes in the oven. This ensures the meatballs are saturated in sauce and full of buffalo flavor.
They come together quick and they disappear quick. If there are any leftovers, store them covered in the fridge for up to 1 week.
I've included the Paleo Ranch recipe below. Don't miss it! That's what makes these meatballs complete. It uses this paleo mayo recipe as a base.
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Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 1 pound ground turkey or chicken
- ¼ cup almond flour
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon buffalo sauce I used Frank's
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
Sauce
- ¼ cup ghee
- ½ cup red hot sauce
Ranch Dressing
- 1 cup homemade mayo
- 1 14oz can coconut cream (not milk, cream. It needs to be thick)
- 2 tablespoons dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375° and line a sheet tray with foil. Rub the foil with coconut oil to make it non-stick.
- In a large bowl, mix the turkey, almond flour, egg, red hot sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt together. Do not overmix.
- Roll into 1 inch balls and place on the sheet tray. You should get 20 out of the mix.
- Bake for 10 minutes.
- While they are baking, combine ghee and buffalo sauce in a frying pan. Warm over medium heat.
- After 10 minutes, place the meatballs in the sauce and roll around to fully coat. This will have to be done in batches because they won't all fit at once.
- Place back on sheet tray and bake for another 5 minutes.
- After those 10 minutes, repeat step 6. Place back in oven for 5-8 more minutes.
- Make ranch while they finish baking. Serve warm with ranch.
Notes:
Nutrition Information
Angela says
I made these meatballs, the texture was fine until I added the egg, it made the meat real soggy. I had to add another 1/4 cup of almond flour. I hope they turn out. I think they would have been alright without the egg.
Jessica DeMay says
Hi Angela- I'm sorry about that. I hope they still turned out okay and maybe leave the egg out next time. Thanks for trying them!
Emily says
Frank’s buffalo sauce is not Whole30 compliant I am fairly certain!
Jessica DeMay says
Hi Emily- yes, I was meaning the original Red Hot. I've updated it to be more clear.
Melissa says
Is there an alternative to the ghee?
Christina says
These look incredible. I have found coconut cream hard to find, and when I *do* find it, it's 8oz. Is there an alternative method possible? Must I buy several cans of coconut milk and combine whatever cream is on top? Thank you for your insights and the recipe!
Jessica DeMay says
Hi Christina- thanks for trying it! You can buy full fat coconut milk and the top part is the cream, but really you can just use the full fat coconut milk and the ranch will be a little thinner. No big deal! I hope that helps and saves you some money!
April says
These look fantastic! I would have thought Frank's wouldn't be whole30 approved.
Jessica DeMay says
Thanks, April! I know- I was happily surprised when I read the label.
April says
Sweet mercy these were good. My 2-year-old pronounced them "Dood!!" These are a keeper whether I'm on whole30 or not. I did use ground pork bc that is what I had and half the almond flour bc that is what I had.
Jessica DeMay says
Awesome!! I'm so glad you and your son enjoyed them! Thanks for trying them 🙂
Jo says
These are genius! A wing-like sub for my family who lives on leftovers for lunch. This is perfect. And what kid or wannabe kid doesn't like meatballs! Stumbled on to your site from getting lost in Pintrest and love it!
Jessica DeMay says
Thanks so much Jo!! These meatballs are fun- one of my husbands favorites. I'm so glad you found me and I'm glad you like my recipes! Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
Mark says
OMG these look ridiculous!!!!
Jessica DeMay says
Thanks Mark! You would love them!
Brooke says
Is the turkey supposed to be browned first?
Jessica DeMay says
Nope- it's raw