Easy 3 Ingredient Hawaiian Meatballs
Score big on game day with a tasty yet lighter twist – my 3 Ingredient Hawaiian Meatballs! Ready in under 30 minutes, these make the ultimate appetizer without the need for a crock pot. This 3 ingredient meatball recipe uses paleo chicken meatballs from Amylu. But don’t worry if you don’t have these, any type of meatball can be used.
Original Post: January 2023 | Post Updated: December 2024
Why this recipe works
- If using the paleo meatballs, this recipe will be gluten free.
- Like my Ground Bison Meatballs and my Easy Homemade Gluten Free Turkey Meatballs, these are perfect for holiday parties, game day, or any occasion when you need an easy appetizer or a quick dinner.
- This hawaiian meatball recipe is kid friendly and toddler approved.
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Ingredients
This easy recipe has 3 simple ingredients:
- Chicken meatballs. If you can’t locate Amylu chicken meatballs and if gluten isn’t an issue for you, you can use any type of meatball such as turkey meatballs or pork meatballs or even Italian meatballs. Trader Joe’s makes a delicious turkey meatball. Homemade meatballs or frozen meatballs can be used as well.
- Green onions.
- Pineapple and passion fruit preserves. I suggest Bonne Mamon. The preserves have that Hawaiian flavor and little pineapple chunks throughout.
How to Prepare 3 Ingredient Hawaiian Meatballs
Step One: Prepare the meatballs: Start with baking the meatballs in the oven for 20 min, or follow the cooking instructions on the back of the package (if you are using another kind).
Step Two: Make the sauce: In a small saucepan over medium/low heat, add the preserves and add in a little bit of water to thin it out. The water will also help with the flavor of the sauce so that it is not so sweet. Whisk gently until the preserves are more saucy and easily pourable.
Step Three: Pour the sauce over the meatballs:When the meatballs are done, pour sauce over them and toss. Then add the chopped green onions on top right before serving.
Storing leftovers
Store leftover meatballs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2-3 days. Reheat in the microwave.
Serving suggestions and what to make with hawaiian meatballs
3 Ingredient Hawaiian Meatballs are also great as a main dish. Just serve these with some white rice and green bell pepper to make it a complete meal. This has become one of my husbands favorite meatballs and will soon become a family favorite of yours!
We can’t forget the meatball sliders! Just like my Hawaiian Meatball Sliders using beef meatballs, you can use these in a slider and add your favorite slaw. I suggest King’s Hawaiian Roll or King’s Hawaiian Butter Roll.
Another suggestion is that you can serve these in a lettuce cup and top with shredded carrots and cabbage along with a dab of chili sauce for spice and sesame seeds. Or serve on top of my Murasaki Sweet Potato Salad.
Helpful tips for this 3 Ingredient Hawaiian Meatballs Recipe
For the preserves, if you can not locate pineapple and passion fruit from Bonne Mamon, you can use any pineapple or passion fruit preserves such as Smuckers. Also mango preserves would be delicious! When using the preserves, a little goes a long way once the water is added and it is heated up. Grape jelly also works.
Other ideas for Hawaiian meatballs are throwing in fresh chunks of pineapple, using your favorite barbeque sauce or using pineapple juice with brown sugar and soy sauce.
Recipe inspiration
I wanted to create a Hawaiian meatballs recipe that was as clean as possible. Lots of the sweet and sour pineapple sauce or teriyaki sauce that they sell in the grocery stores have gluten and other ingredients I’m not familiar with.
I like using the pineapple and passion fruit preserves for Hawaiian recipes because it gives the island flavor I’m looking for while only using minimal ingredients.
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3 Ingredient Hawaiian Meatballs
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Equipment
- baking sheet
- small sauce pan
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken meatballs or substitute with pork or turkey meatballs
- 1/3 cup pineapple and passion fruit preserves or substitute with other pineapple preserves *see note below*
- 1/8 cup water
- 1/4 cup green onions sliced
Instructions
- Cook or warm the meatballs according to the package.
- In a small sauce pan, heat the preserves on low. Continue to stir gently for 5 minutes. Then add the water and whisk slowly to combine. Let the sauce simmer on a low setting while continuing to stir for about 8-10 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and keep warm.
- Pour on top of the meatballs and toss gently to coat. Garnish with the sliced green onions.
- Enjoy!
This was the bomb! My family enjoyed it!
Thank you! great to hear!