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3 Ingredient Hawaiian Meatballs

It’s time for a healthier game day option with my 3 Ingredient Hawaiian Meatballs. In less than 30 minutes, you will have the perfect appetizer! No crock pot is needed but it can be used if you want to keep the meatballs warm.

Also, my recipe is gluten free! I use prepared chicken (cranberry and jalapeño) meatballs from a Paleo company called Amylu, which I found at my local Costco. (Don’t be scared off by the jalapeño, these aren’t spicy)But if gluten isn’t an issue for you, you can substitute with another kind of meatball.

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prepping meatballs on a sheet pan
sauce on top of the meatballs

What Are The Ingredients

This easy recipe has 3 simple ingredients: chicken meatballs, green onions, and pineapple and passion fruit preserves. The preserves have that Hawaiian flavor and little pineapple chunks throughout.

How to Prepare 3 Ingredient Hawaiian Meatballs

You will want to bake 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). Then in a small sauce pan, you will add the preserves and also you will add in a little bit of water to thin it out. The water will also help with the flavor of the sauce so that is not so sweet.

When the meatballs are done, pour sauce over them and toss. Then add chopped green onions on top. Another great substitute for the green onions is to use sesame seeds.

3 ingredient Hawaiian meatballs with toothpicks in them
If serving as an appetizer, add some toothpicks to make it easy for your guests to eat.

Why These are The Best Meatballs

They have a short cook time.

These easy meatballs are tasty AF!

This recipe is kid friendly and toddler approved!

There is less than 5 minutes of prep.

These make for an ultimate appetizer or as an easy dinner.

overhead shot of the 3 ingredient Hawaiian Meatballs

Ways to Enjoy This Easy Appetizer

This is a great appetizer for :

  • Game Day
  • Birthday parties
  • All holiday parties
  • New Year’s Eve Party
  • Easter
  • Friendsgiving
  • Baby showers

Which ever event you choose, these are the perfect party food!

Other Ways to Enjoy 3 Ingredient Hawaiian Meatballs

My 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 meatballs sliders! Just pick up a pack of Hawaiian rolls from the grocery store. 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 dab of chili sauce for spice.

How Do I Store Leftovers

You will want to store leftover meatballs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2-3 days.

Why I Created This Recipe

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 flavor I’m looking while only using minimal ingredients.

Substitutions for This 3 Ingredient Hawaiian Meatballs Recipe

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.

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.

meatballs with toothpicks in them

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3 ingredient hawaiian meatballs

3 Ingredient Hawaiian Meatballs

Kristina
These Hawaiian Meatballs are the perfect appetizer or snack! Glazed with Pineapple and Passion Fruit Preserves, this dish will be the talk of the room. And it only takes 3 ingredients!
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Course Appetizer
Cuisine Hawaiian
Servings 16
Calories 81 kcal

Equipment

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!

Notes

Please Note: Bonne Maman makes Pineapple and Passion Fruit Preserves. It can be found at World Market. If you can’t locate it, you can substitute with another pineapple preserve such as Smuckers or a mango preserve can be used and it will be just as delicious. 
Adding water to the preserves will help it thin out as it heats on the burner. Be sure to stir every few minutes so that it doesn’t burn.
Also if you want more sauce, you can always add more of the preserves. Be sure to adjust the water accordingly. The sauce will go on like a glaze. 

Nutrition

Calories: 81kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 5gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.002gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.004gCholesterol: 27mgSodium: 138mgPotassium: 11mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 22IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 23mgIron: 1mg
Keyword Appetizers, Easy Meatballs, Game Day Food, Hawaiian Meatballs, Super Bowl Food
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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