Hawaiian Meatballs

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These are the easiest Hawaiian Meatballs made with just 3 ingredients: frozen meatballs, BBQ sauce, and pineapple. They can be cooked in the slow cooker or on the stovetop an easy appetizer that disappears at every game day and party.

Three Ingredient Hawaiian Meatballs

If you need a zero-effort appetizer that everyone loves, this these Hawaiian Meatballs recipe is it! The sweet-tangy combo of BBQ sauce and pineapple is absolutely addictive and I've watched people go back for “just one more” at least five times. Just toss everything in your slow cooker (I use these slow cooker liners, too, so there is zero mess or clean-up!). We love Hawaiian meatballs as an appetizer or quick 30-minute meal served over rice.

Don't miss my other appetizer recipes, like Sausage Balls, Crispy Baked Chicken Wings, Easy Homemade Salsa, Canapés, Bacon Wrapped Dates, and Crab Cakes.

How to make Hawaiian Meatballs:

Add Ingredients: Spray the bottom of your slow cooker with cooking spray (or use a liner) then arrange the frozen meatballs on the bottom. Pour homemade BBQ sauce and crushed pineapple over the meatballs.

Cook: Cook on LOW for 4-6 hours or HIGH for 2-3 hours. Serve warm garnished with chopped green onions.

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3-Ingredient Hawaiian Meatballs

Author: Lauren Allen

This Hawaiian Meatballs recipe combines tangy BBQ sauce and sweet pineapple with meatballs for the ultimate sweet and savory appetizer that's always a hit at parties!

Prep: 10 minutes mins

Cook: 15 minutes mins

Total: 25 minutes mins

Servings: 10

Equipment

• Slow Cooker

Ingredients 

US CustomaryMetric

 

0.5x1x2x?

• ▢ 50 – 60 pre-cooked frozen meatballs, *, store-bought or homemade
• ▢ 2 1/2 cups homemade BBQ sauce, (store-bought can be used, but homemade is highly recommended!)
• ▢ 1 cup pineapple, fresh, diced, or use crushed pineapple from a can, slightly drained

Instructions 

For Slow Cooker Meatballs:

• Spray the bottom of your slow cooker lightly with cooking spray (or use a slow cooker liner). Add frozen meatballs to the bottom of pot. Pour pineapple and bbq sauce over meatballs. 
  50 – 60 pre-cooked frozen meatballs, 1 cup pineapple, 2 ½ cups homemade BBQ sauce
• Cook on LOW for 4-6 hours or HIGH for 2-3 hours. Serve warm garnished with chopped green onions, if desired.

For Stovetop :

• Add meatballs, pineapple and bbq sauce to a large pot and stir to coat. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low simmer. Cover and cook for about 10 minutes for thawed meatballs, or 15+ minutes for frozen meatballs, or until warmed through. 

Notes

Meatballs: Homemade frozen meatballs will taste best, but a great frozen store-bought option is Costco's Kirkland brand Italian meatballs. If meatballs are not frozen, reduce cook time. 

Stovetop Method: Add meatballs, pineapple and bbq sauce to a large pot and stir to coat. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low simmer. Cover and cook for about 10 minutes for thawed meatballs, or 15+ minutes for frozen meatballs, or until warmed through. 

Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. 

Nutrition

Calories: 315kcal, Carbohydrates: 31g, Protein: 12g, Fat: 15g, Saturated Fat: 6g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 7g, Cholesterol: 50mg, Sodium: 776mg, Potassium: 385mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 25g, Vitamin A: 175IU, Vitamin C: 9mg, Calcium: 36mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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I originally shared this recipe August 2017. Updated February 2021, August 2023 and February 2026.