Honey BBQ meatballs are sweet, savory, saucy, and made with a few simple ingredients. This is a great recipe to have when you need something effortless and packed with flavor for your appetizer table!

A hand holds a glazed honey BBQ meatball on a toothpick above a bowl of meatballs.

If you’ve made my Coca-Cola meatballs or grape jelly BBQ sauce meatballs, you already know how simple and delicious crockpot meatballs can be. Just toss everything in, turn on the crock pot, and walk away. These honey BBQ ones follow the same easy formula.

Sweet, sticky, and irresistible, they’re made with juicy meatballs coated in a honey BBQ sauce that delivers the perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and smoky in every bite.

Whether you need game day crockpot recipes, effortless party appetizers, or something to bring to a potluck, these slow cooker honey BBQ meatballs are the answer.

Overhead view of saucy bbq meatballs in a slow cooker with honey and bbq sauce nearby.

No slow cooker? No problem—stovetop and oven instructions are included below as well.

Why you’ll love this recipe

Just 5 ingredients. Everything goes into the slow cooker—so easy!
Perfect for parties. Crowd-friendly and mess-free with toothpicks.
Sweet and tangy. The honey BBQ sauce is rich, sticky, and delicious.
Kid-approved. Even picky eaters love these.
Great as a meal or appetizer. Serve with rice, noodles, or veggies.

Ingredients for Honey BBQ Crockpot Meatballs

This section includes ingredient notes and substitution options. Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable recipe card at the end of this post.

A package of frozen Rosina homestyle meatballs, a jar of honey, Sweet Baby Ray’s barbecue sauce, garlic, crushed red pepper, and a slow cooker are arranged on a counter.

Frozen meatballs – Use fully cooked, homestyle frozen meatballs. No need to thaw first!
BBQ sauce – I like Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ sauce, but use your favorite store-bought barbecue sauce.
Honey: Balances the tang of the BBQ sauce with sweetness.
Minced garlic – For extra flavor.
Red pepper flakes – Optional, but adds a subtle kick. Use more or less to taste.

How to Make Honey BBQ Meatballs

This section shows you how to make the recipe with step-by-step photos and instructions. For the full printable recipe, see the recipe card below.

Collage showing four steps to make honey BBQ meatballs in a slow cooker.

Add the BBQ sauce, honey, garlic, and red pepper flakes (if using) to your slow cooker. Stir to combine.
Add the frozen meatballs and stir until fully coated in sauce.
Cover with the lid and cook on LOW for 3-4 hours or HIGH for 2-3 hours. The meatballs need to be heated through.
Set to the warm and stir before serving.

Alternative Cooking Methods

Stovetop: Add BBQ sauce, honey, garlic, and red pepper flakes to a large saucepan or Dutch oven. Stir in frozen meatballs and simmer over medium heat for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until heated through.

Oven: Mix BBQ sauce, honey, garlic, and red pepper flakes with meatballs in a large bowl. Transfer to a casserole dish, cover, and bake at 325°F for 30 minutes, stirring once halfway through.

Storage

Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for 3-4 days.

Freezer: Let cooked meatballs cool completely, then freeze leftover meatballs and sauce in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.

Reheat: Warm in the slow cooker on low or microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring in between.

Honey BBQ crockpot meatballs coated in sauce inside a slow cooker with a wooden spoon.Meatballs coated in sauce inside a slow cooker with a wooden spoon.

Tips from Jaclyn’s Kitchen

Don’t thaw meatballs. Add them straight from the freezer.
Keep them warm during serving. Use the WARM setting to hold their temperature.
Want spicier? Add extra red pepper flakes or a splash of hot sauce.

Serving Suggestions

These little cocktail meatballs are a terrific appetizer, but you can also turn them into a hearty meal. Serve them over mashed potatoes, egg noodles, pasta, or rice with a side of vegetables or salad. Either way, they’re a big hit!

Additions and Variations

Make it Hawaiian: Stir in canned pineapple chunks before cooking.
Use homemade meatballs: Brown first, then follow the same instructions.
Add onion: Diced red onion adds texture and sweetness.
Turkey or chicken meatballs: Lighten it up with ground turkey or chicken meatballs.
Sprinkle with parsley or sliced green onions just before serving for a fresh pop of color.

Close-up of a toothpick holding a honey bbq meatball above others in a crockpot.

More Crockpot Appetizer Recipes

Recipe

No ratings yet

Honey BBQ Meatballs

Author: Jaclyn

Prep: 10

Cook: 3

Total: 3 10

These cocktail meatballs are sweet, tangy, and made right in the slow cooker. Just dump, stir, and cook for the easiest crowd-pleasing appetizer.

Ingredients

▢ 26-32 ounce frozen meatballs, homestyle, fully cooked
▢ 18 oz BBQ sauce
▢ ½ cup honey
▢ 2 garlic cloves, minced
▢ ½ tsp red pepper flakes, or to taste, optional

Instructions

Add the BBQ sauce, honey, garlic, and optional red pepper flakes to the slow cooker and stir to combine.
18 oz BBQ sauce, ½ cup honey, 2 garlic cloves, ½ tsp red pepper flakes
Stir in the meatballs.
26-32 ounce frozen meatballs
Cover and cook on LOW for 3-4 hours or on HIGH for 2-3 hours, or until meatballs are heated through.
Set to warm and stir before serving.

Notes

No need to thaw frozen meatballs—add them straight to the slow cooker.
Use your favorite BBQ sauce; Sweet Baby Ray’s works great.
Add red pepper flakes for a little heat, or leave them out for a milder version.
Stovetop version: Stir to combine ingredients in a Dutch oven. Simmer over medium heat for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until heated through.
Oven method: Stir together all the ingredients in a large bowl. Transfer to a casserole dish, cover, and bake at 325°F for 30 minutes, stirring once halfway through.
Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 2 months.