Smoky maple, crispy bacon, and tender meatballs come together in these juicy BBQ-inspired sliders that are perfect for any backyard gathering or cozy night in. Packed with epic flavors and easy to make, these Smoky Maple BBQ Bacon Meatball Sliders will have your taste buds dancing with joy.
Why You’ll Love This Smoky Maple BBQ Bacon Meatball Sliders
These irresistible sliders are the ultimate comfort food mashup, blending the bold, smoky-sweet flavors of BBQ with the salty, savory goodness of bacon and tender, juicy meatballs. They’re easy to make, endlessly customizable, and perfect for feeding a crowd or satisfying your own cravings. Plus, the combination of velvety, melty cheese, crisp shredded lettuce, and a zesty, tangy sauce makes every bite a delightful flavor explosion.
Ingredients
The star ingredients in these Smoky Maple BBQ Bacon Meatball Sliders are ground beef, smoky bacon, and a blend of warm spices and sweet maple syrup. You’ll also need slider buns, shredded cheddar cheese, and fresh lettuce to bring it all together.
- 1 lb – Ground beef
- 6 slices – Cooked, crumbled bacon
- 2 tbsp – Maple syrup
- 1 tsp – Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp – Garlic powder
- 1 tsp – Onion powder
- 1 tsp – Smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp – Kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp – Ground black pepper
- 12 – Slider buns, toasted
- 1 cup – Shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup – Shredded lettuce
Ingredient Substitutions
- Ground Beef: Ground turkey or pork would also work well (same cooking time and method)
- Cheddar Cheese: Use any melty variety like Swiss, Monterey Jack, or pepper jack (for a dairy-free swap, try vegan cheddar or cashew-based cheese)
How to Make Smoky Maple BBQ Bacon Meatball Sliders
These Smoky Maple BBQ Bacon Meatball Sliders come together in just a few simple steps. Let’s get started!
Step 1: Prep Work
Start by preheating your oven or grill and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. Then, in a large bowl, combine the ground beef, crumbled cooked bacon, maple syrup, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix everything together until well incorporated.
Step 2: Main Cooking Process
Using a small cookie scoop or your hands, form the meat mixture into small, even meatballs and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Bake the meatballs for 15-18 minutes, flipping halfway, until they’re cooked through and slightly crispy on the outside.
Step 3: Final Steps/Assembly
While the meatballs are cooking, toast the slider buns until golden brown. Then, top each bun with a meatball, a sprinkle of shredded cheddar cheese, and a drizzle of your favorite smoky maple BBQ sauce. Finally, add a crisp, fresh lettuce leaf to complete the slider.
Recipe Variations & Tips
- Extra-Indulgent Pimento Cheese: Add a dollop of creamy, melty pimento cheese to the sliders for an extra-decadent twist.
- Spicy Kick: Stir in a teaspoon of cayenne pepper or a few dashes of hot sauce to the meatball mixture for a touch of heat.
- Crispy Onion Topping: Top the sliders with crispy fried onions or a sprinkle of chopped fresh chives for a fun, festive touch.
- Alternate Cheese Options: Experiment with different types of cheese, such as pepper jack or smoked Gouda, for a unique flavor profile.
Serving & Storage
Serve with: Potato salad, coleslaw, or crispy fries.
Storage: Store any leftover sliders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat: Reheat the sliders in the oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the buns are warm and crisp.
Make-Ahead: The meatballs can be prepared up to 3 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator until you’re ready to assemble the sliders.
Nutrition Information
These Smoky Maple BBQ Bacon Meatball Sliders are a hearty, comforting treat, but they also pack a nutritional punch. Each slider contains around 250 calories, with 18 grams of protein, 12 grams of fat, and 4 grams of fiber, making them a satisfying and balanced meal option.
- Serving Size: 1 slider
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Protein: 18 g
- Carbs: 20 g
- Fat: 12 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make the meatballs ahead of time?
Absolutely! The meatballs can be prepared up to 3 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator until you’re ready to assemble the sliders.
Can I use pre-cooked bacon?
Yes, you can use pre-cooked bacon to save time. Just be sure to crumble it up and add it to the meatball mixture.
How can I make these sliders dairy-free?
To make these sliders dairy-free, simply omit the shredded cheese or use a non-dairy alternative, such as vegan cheddar or cashew-based cheese.
Can I grill the meatballs instead of baking them?
Definitely! The meatballs can be grilled over medium-high heat for 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally, until cooked through.
What’s the best way to reheat leftover sliders?
For the best texture, reheat the leftover sliders in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the buns are warm and crisp.
Try These Next
- Smoky Maple Bbq Pork Sliders With Tangy Slaw
- Smoky Maple Bacon Bbq Chicken Sandwich
- Maple Bourbon Bbq Pulled Pork Sliders
Smoky Maple BBQ Bacon Meatball Sliders
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 8 sliders 1x
- Category: 🔥 BBQ, Grilling & Smokehouse
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Smoky Maple BBQ Bacon Meatball Sliders are the perfect combination of sweet and savory, making them an ideal dish for your next BBQ or gathering. Juicy meatballs, wrapped in crispy bacon, and coated in smoky maple BBQ sauce, served on soft sliders.
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef
1/2 lb ground pork
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 egg
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 lb bacon, cut in half
1 cup BBQ sauce
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
8 slider buns
Instructions
1. Preheat your grill to medium heat.
2. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, parsley, Parmesan, garlic, egg, salt, and pepper.
3. Mix until well combined, then form into meatballs (about 1.5 inches in diameter).
4. Wrap each meatball with half a slice of bacon and secure with a toothpick.
5. In a small bowl, mix BBQ sauce and maple syrup together.
6. Once the grill is hot, place the bacon-wrapped meatballs on the grill and brush with the BBQ sauce mixture.
7. Cook for about 15-20 minutes, turning occasionally, until the bacon is crispy and the meatballs are cooked through.
8. Remove from the grill and let them rest for a few minutes.
9. Serve on slider buns with extra BBQ sauce if desired.
Notes
For an extra kick, add some chopped jalapeños to the meatball mixture.
These sliders can also be made in the oven at 400°F for about 25-30 minutes if you prefer.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slider
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: meatballs, sliders, BBQ, bacon, maple