Healthy Buffalo Chicken Meatballs are made with six ingredients. Whole30, gluten-free, and Paleo-approved, these delicious meatballs are the perfect finger food and game day appetizer!
The most delicious healthy meatballs
Forget everything you know about buffalo wings, because today we're revamping the classic recipe into one that is cleaner, easier, and just as delicious!
I bring you: healthy buffalo chicken meatballs! Using the classic buffalo chicken wing concept, these meatballs are made using minimal, wholesome ingredients. They're made with almond flour, which is a much healthier alternative to all-purpose flour. Don't worry, they're still absolutely overflowing with delicious buffalo flavor!
Everyone loves wings during football season, but meatballs kind of get overlooked! I'm here to change that. The next time you attend a football party, tailgate, or casual friend get together, you need to take this meatball recipe! Paired with my delicious blue cheese dip, your friends will be talking about this dish for months.
If you love buffalo recipes as much as me, try my Buffalo Chicken Baked Tacos next.
Ingredients used to make buffalo meatballs with blue cheese dip
These meatballs only require 6 ingredients to make! They're quite simple. If you'd like to make the blue cheese dip as well (100% recommended - it's delicious), you'll need just six more.
Buffalo Chicken Meatballs:
- Ground chicken
- Egg
- Almond flour
- Hot sauce
- Green onion
- Garlic powder
Blue Cheese Dip:
- Blue Cheese
- Almond Milk
- Greek yogurt
- White or red wine vinegar
- Garlic powder
- Salt
Kitchen tools needed to make buffalo meatballs and blue cheese dip
You'll only need a handful of items to make both the meatballs and the dip. Here's a quick list:
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Two mixing bowls
- Mixing spoon
- Small dip bowl
How to make meatballs with buffalo chicken
Buffalo chicken meatballs are very, very, easy to make. All you do is mix all of the ingredients, form the mixture into individual ball shapes, bake, and dip in hot sauce! You'll need about 45 minutes, including baking time. Here are some detailed instructions to walk you through the process:
To start these meatballs, preheat the oven to 400F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, mix the chicken, egg, almond flour, ⅓ cup hot sauce, green onion, and garlic powder. I used my hands to do this.
Using about 2 tablespoon of meat at a time, roll into separate balls and place them on the baking sheet.
Next, bake for 18 minutes.
Take the meatballs out of the oven and let sit for 10 minutes.
Next, toss in ½ cup of hot sauce.
In a clean bowl, whisk together the blue cheese dip ingredients.
Finally, serve the blue cheese dip alongside the meatballs, or drizzled on top. Both options taste great!
Pro Tip: Serve with toothpicks for minimal messiness!
How to make buffalo meatballs ahead of time
If you'd like to make these meatballs ahead of time to lessen your day-of preparations, you definitely can!
To do so, make and form your meatballs as instructed in the directions above. Then, store in an airtight container or freezer bag. On the day you'd like to eat them, allow them to thaw in the refrigerator for a few hours. Then, make as directed above.
The blue cheese dip can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
More dip ideas to try
I love to eat these meatballs with blue cheese dip, but there are a ton of options out there!
- Ranch: Ranch is a classic sauce that works well with so many different foods. It makes a great meatball dip!
- Honey mustard: Honestly, what doesn't taste great with honey mustard?! This is definitely a must-try.
- Chipotle mayo: Want some extra spice? Try this dip! It's made of mayo, sour cream, lime, and chipotles.
- Garlic parmesan: This is another one that I absolutely love. Give it a go with your buffalo meatballs!
- Buffalo: If you just can't get enough buffalo flavor, here's a Vegan Creamy Buffalo Dip to try!
Try these appetizers too!
Along with your buffalo chicken meatballs, serve these appetizers for extra crowd-friendly eats!
- Healthier Buffalo Chicken Dip + Celery or Chips
- Avocado Feta Dip + Carrots or Pita Chips
- Healthy Seven Layer Dip + Chips
- Bacon Wrapped Dates with Goat Cheese
Buffalo Chicken Meatballs (Paleo, Gluten-Free)
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat oven to 400F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, mix together chicken, egg, almond flour, ⅓ cup hot sauce, green onion, and garlic powder. I used my hand to do this!
- With about 2 tablespoons of meat, roll into balls and place on baking sheet.
- Bake for 18 minutes at 400.
- Take out of oven and let rest for 10 minutes.
- Toss in ½ cup of hot sauce.
- For the blue cheese dip: whisk all ingredients together in a bowl.
- Serve blue cheese dip alongside meatballs or drizzled on top.
Eliza G says
I used to make these all the time during Covid and they were such a staple. I went back to make them again and they’re just as good and so easy to make!! Thank you Erin ❤️
Erin says
Hi Eliza, so happy you love them so much!!
Audrey says
This is my go-to appetizer! So easy and so delish. It’s always a hit and my friends ask me to bring these to every get together now! Definitely recommend.
Erin says
Hi Audrey, so happy you love the meatballs!!
Ashley says
These are amazing!!!! We have made them several times and are making them again tonight! Highly recommend!!!!
Erin says
Hi Ashley, so glad you loved them!!
Becca says
These Buffalo chicken meatballs were delicious! Everyone loved them and it was an extra bonus that they were healthy!
Erin says
Hi Becca, so glad they were a hit!!
Ashley says
Delicious and healthy! Made these for superbowl and served with a DF ranch. Had leftovers the next day (and I think they even tasted better on day 2) in a salad. Super simple and delicious as an app or easy weeknight meal!
Erin says
Hi Ashley, I am so glad you enjoyed it so much!
kathleen says
we made for football sunday, these are a hit and super easy to make! Can't wait to make again!
Erin says
Hi Kathleen, so glad you loved them!
Joanna Miller says
Picked these for my birthday dinner back in November, so good and so easy that my fiance even made them!
Erin says
Hi Joanna, so happy you enjoyed them and happy belated!
Alexa says
I’ve made these meatballs so many times I can’t even count, they are SO good!! Great crowd pleaser & I feel less guilty about how many I eat 🙂
Erin says
Hi Alexa, so glad you enjoyed them!
Jessica Wiede says
Loved this recipe! Nice and spicy and the meatballs weren’t dry at all. Made a second batch in the same week!
Erin says
Hi Jessica, so happy you enjoyed the meatballs so much! 🙂
Samantha says
Made these for dinner! The taste was great, but the texture was a little off for me. I felt like there needed to be more chicken for the amount of almond flour and the mixture itself seemed very wet. Overall I would totally make again, because the texture didn’t bother my husband one bit!
Erin says
Hi Samantha, I am so glad you both liked it!
Lindsay says
These were so good, and boyfriend approved (who is also named Tom) 🙂 These will be going into the dinner rotation for sure!
Erin says
Hi Lindsay, I am so glad you both enjoy them!!
Erin says
How long do you think the blue cheese sauce would keep?
Erin says
Up to one week!
Emily says
So freaking good! Fourth time making these today- made them with turkey instead and just as delicious and soft as with chicken. Highly recommend!!! So easy to make and soooo tasty.
Erin says
Hi Emily, I am thrilled you loved them so much! Thank you for sharing!
emma says
these are amazing!! big fan!
Erin says
Hi Emma, I am so happy you enjoyed them! 🙂
Hannah says
Do you think this would work with barbecue sauce?
Erin says
Totally! Great idea.
Abby says
Made this for a super bowl party and it was a hit!! Will definitely be making these again!
Erin says
So glad you liked them! Thanks for sharing.
Lindsay says
Do you by any chance know how many calories these are?
Erin says
About 60 calories per meatball!
Hilde says
Could it work to use sesame flour with this? Thanks for the great recipies!
Erin says
Hi Hilde, yes, you can use a different flour. Before you bake just be sure to check the ratio because some flours are not a 1:1 ratio. Let me know what flour you use and how it comes out! Thanks for your kind words!
Jaymey says
These were delish! I made a homemade whole30 ranch to go with them!
Erin says
WOW! Love that idea - thanks for sharing.
Lisa says
IF you dont have almond flour, can you use regular flour?
Erin says
Should work just fine!