These Hungarian-style paprika meatballs are amazingly juicy and full of flavour! Plus they are baked not fried! They are perfect for serving as finger food at a party, or mix your favourite marinara sauce with a little sour cream and serve these wonderful baked meatballs over pasta or spaetzle.
Imagine biting into a juicy beef meatball, punchy with the flavors of smoked paprika and fennel. So juicy and tender, with a light crust. Imagine dipping it into a pillowy mound of sour cream, cool and refreshing. Now imagine watching others do the same. Before you know it the bowl is empty and the party is in full swing. Nothing gets people chatting and mingling like good finger food. The food you don't have to put your drink down for.
And these paprika meatballs fit that bill. Grab a mini fork or a cocktail stick, spear one, enjoy one and carry on your conversation.
What is more instead of making the house smell of fried meatballs you can oven bake these babies!
How to Cook Meatballs in the Oven
So oven baked meatballs is the easiest way to cook meatballs!!!! You can cook so many at once, making it perfect for a party! You can ensure they are all perfectly cooked through and most importantly you don't have to stand by the stove cooking up batches of meatballs!
Meaning if you are having a party you can use this time to clear up the Lego that the kids have decided needs to be in the formal living room!!! Or you can put some party make-up on, arrange your flowers or just sit with a glass of wine and congratulate yourself on your amazingness 😀 (hands up who will be doing the Lego option? Please tell me it isn't just me!)
What temperature do you cook meatballs in the oven?
I like to bake my meatballs at 400ºF/205ºC. This ensures they cook through and gives them a light crust without drying out. The 'crust' is important here, because without it the meatballs can fall apart when they are skewered.
How long does it take to cook meatballs in the oven?
These meatballs will take 10-12 minutes in the oven to cook. This is assuming you have made the meatballs using the instructions below. The recipe calls for 1 inch meatballs (use a cookie scoop to ensure even sized meatballs)
If you make your meatballs bigger then they will need longer cooking.
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What to serve with meatballs for a party
These paprika meatballs are packed with flavor so I like to serve them with a pot of sour cream. This continues the slight Hungarian feel and also works so well with the smoky paprika.
Ideas for dips to go with meatballs:
- Sour cream
- chipotle mayo
- smoked bbq sauce
- blue cheese dip
- sweet onion dip
- creamy onion and garlic dip
- chilli spiked tomato sauce
- thick english style gravy
Enjoy x
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p.s If you are a big meatball fan then why not try these other meatball recipes that are perfect for serving as party finger food.
- Moroccan Lamb Meatballs
- Indian Spiced Chicken Meatballs
- Thai Pork Meatballs
- Sticky Sesame Chicken Meatballs
- Mini Thai Chicken Meatballs
Why not pin this recipe for Baked Paprika Meatballs for later. Pin it here
Get the Recipe
Baked Paprika Meatballs with Sour Cream
Ingredients
For the Meatballs
- 1 onion
- 2 garlic clove
- 1 lb ground beef - not the super lean variety
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoon milk
- 1 egg
- 2 teaspoon sweet paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon fennel seeds - lightly crushed
- ¼ cup finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
To serve
- 1 cup sour cream/your favourite dip
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet by parchment paper.
- Grate the onion into a large mixing bowl and crush in the garlic.
- Add the remaining ingredients and mix until just combined. (Don't over mix)
- Scoop out small amounts of the mixture and roll them into 1 inch balls. (see note 1)
- Place them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until cooked through with a light crust.
- Serve immediately or at room temperature with sour cream or your favourite dip (see note 2)
Notes
- I find if I lightly coat my hands with oil before rolling the meatballs, they will form a nicer ball and the mixture doesn't stick to your fingers.
- Ideas for dips to go with meatballs:
- Sour cream
- chipotle mayo
- smoked bbq sauce
- blue cheese dip
- sweet onion dip
- creamy onion and garlic dip
- chilli spiked tomato sauce
- thick english style gravy
Nutrition
Nutrition is per serving
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Helene says
Great idea with the sour cream. Paprika, Parsley, meat and sour cream, that's food from my childhood. 🙂
Claire McEwen says
Thank you Helene 😀
They are flavors that just work so well together aren't they.
Alyssa says
I am a HUGE meatball fan and I love this baked variety. Total party food! 🙂
Claire McEwen says
Thank you Alyssa 😀
Taryn says
This is such a nice change from the typical meatballs in marinara sauce we usually eat! Thanks for a great recipe.
Claire McEwen says
Thank you Taryn, I am such a big meatball fan I need to find so may different ways to eat them 😀
Tatiana says
Well seasoned meatballs is always a key to success! And i absolutely adore the idea of adding sour cream as a dip, fantastic!
Claire McEwen says
Thank you Tatiana, they are always such a hit 😀