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Buffalo Meatball Pumpkins: The Ultimate Halloween Party Treat

By Emma :

Everyday Culinary Delights👩‍🍳

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Buffalo Meatball Pumpkins – The Perfect Halloween Appetizer for Your Fall Parties!

When Halloween rolls around, it’s not just about the candy—it’s also a prime time for creative, spooky, and downright delicious treats! If you’re searching for a standout recipe that will leave your guests impressed and your taste buds tingling, look no further than these Buffalo Meatball Pumpkins. They’re not just adorable but also packed with flavor, thanks to a rich buffalo sauce and a fun pretzel stem. Perfect for your fall parties, these meatball pumpkins are guaranteed to be a hit!

Why You’ll Love These Buffalo Meatball Pumpkins

These Buffalo Meatball Pumpkins are the perfect blend of festive fun and savory goodness. The meatballs are juicy and tender, bathed in a tangy buffalo sauce with a hint of pumpkin puree that screams autumn. Plus, they’re ridiculously easy to make—just pop the meatballs in the slow cooker, whip up the sauce, and assemble. The pretzel rod stems and parsley leaves give them that pumpkin look, making them as visually appealing as they are tasty.

Reasons to Love This Recipe

  • Festive and Fun: These meatball pumpkins are perfect for Halloween parties, adding a playful and spooky touch to your table.
  • Simple Ingredients: With just a few basic ingredients, you can create a dish that looks impressive but is easy to prepare.
  • Versatile: You can customize the spice level in the buffalo sauce to suit your taste.
  • Kid-Friendly: The fun presentation makes this dish a hit with kids and adults alike.

Ingredients You’ll Need

To bring these delightful Buffalo Meatball Pumpkins to life, you’ll need the following ingredients:

  • Meatballs: 2.5 pounds of pre-cooked meatballs (about 75 meatballs).
  • Pretzel Rods: 38 pretzel rods or sticks.
  • Fresh Parsley or Cilantro: For the leafy pumpkin top.

Buffalo Sauce Ingredients:

  • ⅓ cup butter
  • ½ cup buffalo sauce
  • ¼ cup pumpkin puree
  • 2 tablespoons ranch dressing

Tools You’ll Need

  • Slow Cooker: Essential for heating the meatballs and letting them soak up the sauce.
  • Mixing Bowl: For preparing the buffalo sauce.
  • Tray: For assembling the meatball pumpkins.
  • Sharp Knife: To make small holes in the meatballs for the pretzel stems, if needed.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Cook the Meatballs: Place the meatballs in the slow cooker, cover, and cook on high for 3 to 3 ½ hours until they are heated through.

Prepare the Buffalo Sauce: In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, stir in the buffalo sauce, pumpkin puree, and ranch dressing until well combined.

Coat the Meatballs: Pour the prepared buffalo sauce over the meatballs in the slow cooker. Stir gently to ensure each meatball is well-coated.

Buffalo Meatball Pumpkins – The Perfect Halloween Appetizer for Your Fall Parties!

Assemble the Meatball Pumpkins: Transfer the sauced meatballs onto a serving tray. Break the ends off of the pretzel rods, creating stems, and insert them into the top of each meatball. If necessary, use a knife to make a small hole in each meatball to fit the pretzel stem. Finish by adding a fresh parsley leaf to the top of each meatball to mimic a pumpkin’s vine.

Buffalo Meatball Pumpkins – The Perfect Halloween Appetizer for Your Fall Parties!

What to Serve with Buffalo Meatball Pumpkins

These meatball pumpkins are the perfect party appetizer, but they also pair wonderfully with other Halloween-themed dishes. For a complete Halloween spread, consider serving them alongside these Jack Skellington Ricotta Olive Tarts, a Buffalo Chicken Dip, or a 5-Minute Halloween Snack Mix.

Tips for the Perfect Buffalo Meatball Pumpkins

  • Adjust the Spice: If you prefer a milder flavor, reduce the amount of buffalo sauce or opt for a milder brand.
  • Make Ahead: These meatballs can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the fridge. Simply reheat in the slow cooker before serving.
  • Vegetarian Option: Substitute with your favorite vegetarian meatballs to make this dish vegetarian-friendly.

Storage Instructions

If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. You can also freeze them for up to 3-4 weeks. To reheat, warm them in the oven or microwave until heated through.

Buffalo Meatball Pumpkins – The Perfect Halloween Appetizer for Your Fall Parties!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use homemade meatballs?
Absolutely! If you have a favorite homemade meatball recipe, feel free to use it. Just ensure the meatballs are fully cooked before adding them to the slow cooker.

Can I make these meatballs spicy?
Yes, you can increase the heat by adding more buffalo sauce or a dash of hot sauce to the buffalo sauce mixture.

What if I don’t have a slow cooker?
No problem! You can bake the meatballs in the oven at 350°F for 20-25 minutes, then coat them in the buffalo sauce.

Conclusion

These Buffalo Meatball Pumpkins are a festive, flavorful addition to any Halloween party. They’re easy to make, fun to eat, and will have your guests coming back for more. Whether you’re hosting a spooky soiree or just want to enjoy a creative dish, these meatball pumpkins are sure to please.

Looking for more Halloween recipes? Try these Jack Skellington Ricotta Olive Tarts, Buffalo Chicken Dip, or this 5-Minute Halloween Snack Mix.

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Buffalo Meatball Pumpkins – The Perfect Halloween Appetizer for Your Fall Parties!

Buffalo Meatball Pumpkins: The Ultimate Halloween Party Treat


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  • Author: Emma
  • Total Time: 4 hours
  • Yield: 25 servings (approximately 3 meatballs per serving) 1x

Description

 

These Buffalo Meatball Pumpkins are a fun and flavorful addition to any Halloween party! Juicy meatballs are coated in a tangy buffalo sauce with a hint of pumpkin puree, topped with a pretzel rod stem and a fresh parsley leaf to look just like mini pumpkins. They’re easy to make in the slow cooker and are sure to be a hit with both kids and adults alike!


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2.5 pounds pre-cooked meatballs (about 75 meatballs)
  • 38 pretzel rods or sticks
  • 1 bunch fresh parsley or cilantro

Buffalo Sauce:

  • ⅓ cup butter
  • ½ cup buffalo sauce
  • ¼ cup pumpkin puree
  • 2 tablespoons ranch dressing

Instructions

  • Place the meatballs in a slow cooker, cover, and cook on high for 3 to 3 ½ hours, until heated through.
  • While the meatballs cook, melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the buffalo sauce, pumpkin puree, and ranch dressing until well combined.
  • Pour the buffalo sauce over the meatballs in the slow cooker, stirring gently to coat all the meatballs evenly.
  • To create the pumpkin look, transfer the sauced meatballs to a serving tray. Break the ends off of the pretzel rods to create stems and insert one into the top of each meatball. If needed, use a knife to make a small hole in each meatball before inserting the pretzel stem.
  • Finish by adding a fresh parsley or cilantro leaf to the top of each meatball as the pumpkin “vine.”

Notes

  • Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days or freeze for 3-4 weeks. Reheat in the oven or microwave until warmed through.
  • Customize the heat level by adjusting the amount of buffalo sauce to your liking.
  • You can also use homemade meatballs if you prefer; just ensure they are fully cooked before adding to the slow cooker.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
  • Category: Appetizer
  • Method: bak
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 3 meatballs
  • Calories: 154kcal
  • Sugar: 0.2g
  • Sodium: 223mg
  • Fat: 13g
  • Saturated Fat: 5g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6g
  • Trans Fat: 0.1g
  • Carbohydrates: 2g
  • Fiber: 0.2g
  • Protein: 8g
  • Cholesterol: 39mg

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