Description
Seasonal delight Buffalo Meatball Pumpkins bring festive charm to autumn gatherings with their playful Halloween-inspired design. Savory beef mingled with warming spices creates an irresistible appetizer you cannot wait to serve at your next celebration.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2.5 pounds (1.13 kilograms) pre-cooked meatballs
- 38 pretzel rods or sticks
- 1 bunch fresh parsley or cilantro
Garnish:
- None
Seasoning:
- None
Instructions
- Load buffalo-seasoned meatballs into a slow cooker and set on high temperature for approximately 3-4 hours, ensuring complete heating throughout.
- Prepare buffalo sauce mixture by gently melting butter in a small saucepan over medium heat, then incorporating pumpkin puree, buffalo sauce, and ranch dressing until smooth and thoroughly blended.
- Generously coat meatballs with the prepared buffalo sauce, carefully turning each piece to guarantee even coverage and maximum flavor infusion.
- Artfully arrange sauced meatballs on a decorative serving platter, creating a festive halloween-themed presentation.
- Transform pretzels into rustic stems by carefully snapping off their ends, then delicately insert one into the top of each meatball, using a sharp knife to create a precise entry point if necessary.
- Garnish each meatball with a vibrant fresh parsley or cilantro leaf, mimicking a delicate pumpkin vine and adding a touch of bright color to the appetizer.
Notes
- Swap buffalo sauce for milder hot sauce if serving kids or those sensitive to spice.
- Prevent dry meatballs by ensuring they’re not overcooked in the slow cooker, checking internal temperature reaches 160°F.
- Create gluten-free version by using gluten-free buffalo sauce and replacing pretzel stems with small herb sprigs or trimmed rosemary.
- Enhance presentation by using orange-tinted ranch dressing for more vibrant pumpkin coloring if desired.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 15
- Calories: 100
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 30mg