Spiced Apple Swedish Meatballs
When was the last time you made a good Swedish Meatball Recipe? These Spiced Apple Cocktail Meatballs are a hit with the young and old, and perfect for all your fall festivities!
Really… What ever happened to Swedish Meatballs?
I remember loving them as a child. I even remember looking through old yellowing holiday photos of my mom with her glamorous beehive wig and my dad with an afro and tight polyester pants, and I’m positive there were cocktail meatballs on the table in every picture.
Meatballs were all-the-rage just a couple generations ago. Then it seems like every Swedish Meatballs Recipe dropped off the face of the planet, never to be seen again.
Well, I find that completely unacceptable. We need to bring them back, and fast!
I recently ate some barbeque sauce made with Musselman’s Apple Butter and fell in love.
It got me thinking about all the savory dishes that could benefit from a healthy dose of apple butter. After some experimentation, I’m starting to believe that anytime you add “spiced apple” flavor to a dish, you’ve improved the original.
Like this Swedish Meatballs Recipe, for instance.
These Spiced Apple Cocktail Meatballs have become a new family favorite. They are ultra tender and savory-sweet, with an unexpected pop of spiced apple flavor from the apple butter.
My kids devoured them one night at dinner, then asked for the leftovers at breakfast.
I wouldn’t allow them to eat cocktail meatballs for breakfast, so they asked to take them to school in their lunch boxes. They finally finished off all the meatballs, as an after-school snack that same day.
I’ve never seen anyone so ravenous for a Swedish Meatballs Recipe. It had to be the apple butter.
Musselman’s apple butter is slow cooked in order to caramelize the natural fruit sugars and develop an intense apple flavor. It’s considered America’s favorite apple butter brand because it’s exceedingly rich and smooth. To top it all, it’s dairy free, gluten free, fat free, sodium free, cholesterol free, and preservative free.
We’ve polished off several jars of Musselman’s Apple Butter in the last few weeks making spiced apple cocktail meatballs, apple butter stuffed mushrooms, apple butter BBQ sauce, and of course, eating it on toast. It really does give savory dishes that little “spiced apple” extra something.
Apple butter just might be my new go-to secret ingredient.
Thank goodness we’ve brought Cocktail Meatballs back with this Spiced Apple Swedish Meatballs Recipe.
…Now if only I could get my hands on that beehive wig!
Yield: 8-12 servings
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Spiced Apple Swedish Meatballs Recipe
Ingredients:
1/2 cup grated red onion
1 Tb. butter
1 lb. pork sausage
1 lb. ground beef
2 cups panko bread crumbs
1 cup Musselman's Apple Butter, divided
1/4 cup sour cream
2 eggs
2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. allspice
1 tsp. black pepper
1/2 cup beef broth
2 Tb. honey
Cayenne pepper
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 400 degree F and line a large rimmed baking sheet with foil.
Place a skillet over medium heat and melt the butter in it. When the butter has melted, add the grated onions and saute for 3-4 minutes, until soft.
In a large bowl, mix the sausage, ground beef, panko, 1/2 cup apple butter, sour cream, eggs, salt, pepper, and allspice. Add the onion, once it cools. Get your hands in it and mix well, until evenly combined.
Measure out the meatballs into one ounce portions. Roll tight balls and place them on the baking sheet, close together, but not touching. You should have 40-45 meatballs.
Bake for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, mix the remaining 1/2 cup of apple butter, with beef broth, honey, and 1-2 dashes of cayenne pepper. Whisk well.
After 15 minutes, remove the meatballs from the oven. Pour the sauce over the top, making sure to cover each meatball, and place back in the oven for 5-7 minutes.
Once cooked through, shake the baking sheet a little to loosen the meatballs and serve warm.
Other Spiced Apple Favorites:
Spicy Apple Butter BBQ Sauce ~ Musselman’s
Savory Apple Pizza ~ TheKitchn
Roasted Squash Soup with Apple Butter and Bacon ~ A Baking Life
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Musselman’s Apple Butter. All apple-licious opinions are my own.
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49 Responses to “Spiced Apple Swedish Meatballs”
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I don’t need a bun – I’m completely susceptible to Swedish meatballs alone!
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i am going to have to try this Sommer!
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Swedish Meatballs make me think of IKEA…but I love your take on them!
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These are beautiful..and who would have ever thought that little balls of meat could be beautiful??
I am so going to make these!
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I love how you smushed them down to make little sliders there. Very clever.
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So yummy sounding! I’m craving swedish meatballs now!
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Yum Yum Sommer! That sauce sounds incredible – my kids would be all over that!
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Oh my goodness Sommer! These are brilliant!!
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These look delightful! Loved the spiced apple twist!
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yes! bring on the meatballs
I always secretly loved the grape jelly version, can’t wait to try these.
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Who knew a meatball sandwich could be so adorable?! I remember my mom making these all the time when I was a kid too–they were a staple at every party.
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My mom used to serve Swedish Meatballs. I haven’t seen them in years. This is definitely a must make recipe!
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Oh I’m totally loving these! Cute buns too!
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Oh those sound so freakin’ good!
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apple butter makes me think of my grandpa. Little tears. Thanks for the recipe.
shilohstaste.com
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I’m with you Sommer…bring back the Swedish Meatballs! Yours look amazeballs!!
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My grandma often made these at family events, such a perfect appetizer!
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Yes, what ever did happen to Swedish meatballs? They’re just too good for us to let them fade into obscurity. Love this spiced version!
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I need these!! And gorgeous, gorgeous photos, girl!!
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What a fantastic twist on Swedish meatballs, Sommer. These are stunningly perfect!
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that little mini-slider is TOO cute!
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My family would go crazy for these! What a great idea to tuck in some apple butter. I have the same skewers and love them for meatballs (and photos!)
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These look wonderful. I’m going to try them for my 2 grandsons. Thank you!
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This sound absolutely delightful, Sommer! Have a wonderful week ahead
Hugs <3
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I would totally eat these! They sounds delicious.
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Apple butter meatballs…..just what you need to welcome fall…
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I’m putting these on my to-make list for the weekend!
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These are so perfect for my fall party!!! My mama made little swedish meatballs for my brother and I every week on pasta night – but never spiced with apple! Love this recipe.
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I have always loved apple butter and have used it in bbq sauce for ribs…not sure why I haven’t for meatballs but that must change. They are so CUTE!
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Oooh, these look so good! The meatball mini slider is adorable! The combo of hearty meatball and sweet apple glaze is just awesome.
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Swedish meatballs are always a favorite around here!
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Swedish Meatballs for the fall! Love love love these!
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Those buns are super cute! I think I need to serve these at my next tailgating party!
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apple butter and meatballs- yes please!
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This is so nice, it looks so yummy. I am thinking if add some coarsely chopped apple into it, might have good texture.
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These are the perfect party food!
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OK, I love cocktail meatballs, too… I never make them but I always hover around them at parties!! I never would have thought to add apple butter but I guess I need to keep some on hand! Thanks for sharing, these look great!!
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Oh my. These meatballs reminds me of the Ikea swedish meatballs. So temptingly delicious
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These look so so good. Do you think I could substitute something else for the Apple Butter (can be heard to find in Australia)? What would you suggest?
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Sommer — September 27th, 2012 @ 8:05 am
Can you buy apple sauce? I’d trying subbing apple sauce and some extra spices, like cinnamon, nutmeg and clove.
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LOVE this, Sommer! Looks like an awesome recipe, and your photos are great!
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I can’t wait to try this recipe. But in your comments, you mention apple butter stuffed mushrooms. Can you share that recipe too? Sounds interesting!! Thanks.
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What a fun combination of flavors! I bet it is darn scrumptious!
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These meatballs sound scrumptious! I just made a big batch of apple butter in my crockpot. I hope I have enough left to try these out! I have made them with grape jelly & chili sauce, kind of a spicy sweet ands our but these sound mellower yet
full of flavor. Good comfort food. You are always so creative!
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I made these meatballs for my husband and Dad this past weekend. (While they were watching football of course! ) They were a big hit !! I was a little unsure about the apple butter, but that’s what made them so delish !! I will be making them as an appetizer on Thanksgiving this year. Thanks so much for the great receipe!
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Sommer — October 15th, 2012 @ 6:03 pm
Margaret, I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed them!
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