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