Easy Crockpot BBQ Bacon Wrapped Meatballs Recipe Perfect for Party Snacks
These easy crockpot BBQ bacon wrapped meatballs are a quick and crowd-pleasing snack perfect for parties or casual get-togethers. Juicy meatballs wrapped in smoky bacon and smothered in tangy BBQ sauce, cooked low and slow in a crockpot.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 to 5 hours (low) or 2 to 3 hours (high)
- Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes to 5 hours 15 minutes (low) or 2 hours 15 minutes to 3 hours 15 minutes (high)
- Yield: 12 to 15 meatballs (about 4-5 servings) 1x
- Category: Appetizer, Snack
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 to 1½ pounds (450–680 g) ground beef (80/20)
- 12 to 15 slices thin-cut bacon
- 1 cup (240 ml) BBQ sauce (smoky, tangy, e.g. Sweet Baby Ray’s)
- ½ cup (50 g) breadcrumbs (plain or seasoned)
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Optional: pinch of smoked paprika or cayenne pepper for heat
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic powder, onion powder, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined.
- Roll the mixture into 12 to 15 evenly sized meatballs, about 1½ inches in diameter.
- Wrap each meatball with a slice of thin-cut bacon, securing the ends underneath. Trim bacon if needed.
- Arrange the bacon-wrapped meatballs in a single layer in the crockpot, stacking slightly if necessary but avoiding overcrowding.
- Pour BBQ sauce evenly over the meatballs.
- Cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours or on high for 2 to 3 hours until meatballs are fully cooked and bacon is tender.
- Optional: For crispier bacon, transfer meatballs to a baking sheet and broil for 2-3 minutes, watching closely.
- Serve warm with extra BBQ sauce for dipping.
Notes
Do not overmix meatball ingredients to keep them tender. Use thin-cut bacon for best results. Optional broiling crisps bacon nicely. For gluten-free, substitute breadcrumbs with almond flour or gluten-free panko. You can prepare meatballs a day ahead and refrigerate before cooking. If sauce is too runny, thicken with cornstarch slurry and cook 15 more minutes on high.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 3 meatballs
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 4
- Fat: 20
- Carbohydrates: 6
- Fiber: 0.5
- Protein: 18
Keywords: crockpot meatballs, bacon wrapped meatballs, BBQ meatballs, party snacks, slow cooker recipes, easy appetizers