Luau Meatballs are a quick appetizer that brings a little tropical flavor to the table. Juicy meatballs are paired with sweet pineapple and coated in a tangy Hawaiian-style sauce. They’re simple to assemble and perfect for parties, game day, or an easy snack.
The combination of savory meatballs and sweet pineapple works really well together. Using frozen meatballs keeps prep easy, while the sweet and sour sauce adds a glossy finish and bold flavor. Once they’re skewered together, they look great on a platter and are easy for guests to grab.
Helpful Tips
- Warm the sauce before serving. Heating the sweet and sour sauce helps it coat the meatballs and pineapple evenly.
- Use fresh pineapple if you can. It adds a brighter flavor and a firmer texture that holds up well on skewers.
- Secure with sturdy picks. Toothpicks or short appetizer skewers make these easy to serve and eat.
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Luau Meatballs
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 teaspoon EACH salt and pepper
- 2/3 cup pineapple juice
- 1/3 cup rice vinegar
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch + 1 tbsp water
- 1 cup pineapple chunks preferably fresh
Instructions
- Bake in the oven on 350F for 20 minutes, turning once during cooking. Or cook in the air fryer at 400F for 15 minutes.
- In a bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, garlic, salt and pepper. Mix well, Form meatballs.
- In a medium saucepan, combine pineapple juice, rice vinegar, brown sugar, ketchup, and soy sauce and bring to a boil over medium heat. Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook until thickened, about 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Stick a skewer into a meatball and piece of pineapple. Arrange them on a serving platter and drizzle with the sweet and sour sauce. Serve with additional sauce.
Nutrition
Angela’s passion for discovering and experimenting with new flavors and recipes is at the heart of her culinary philosophy. Residing in a quaint Oregon town, she finds joy and inspiration in her kitchen. Angela has a lot of expertise in cooking and she eagerly shares her discoveries and unique creations with you.