Maple Apple Breakfast Chicken Meatballs
Sweet and savory, protein-packed chicken breakfast meatballs mixed with juicy apple, maple syrup, and plenty of herbs and spices. These easy breakfast meatballs are perfect for serving with your favorite sides like fresh fruit, breakfast potatoes, toast, or pancakes! Freeze them for later for a filling breakfast any day of the week.
Servings 4 servings
Calories 183cal
Ingredients
- 1 pound 93% lean ground chicken (or turkey or pork sausage)
- 1 large egg
- 1 medium to large apple (such as Honeycrisp), peeled and shredded
- ⅔ cup panko bread crumbs (gluten-free, if desired)*
- 1 to 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon fresh finely chopped sage leaves (or ½ teaspoon dried sage)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, if not making for kiddos!)
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme (or 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon allspice
- Extra-virgin olive oil
- Optional:
- 1-2 tablespoons maple syrup
- Flaky sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, add the ground chicken, egg, shredded apple, panko breadcrumbs, maple syrup, sage, salt, red pepper flakes, thyme, garlic powder, ground ginger and allspice until just combined. Let the mixture sit for 5 to 10 minutes so the breadcrumbs absorb some of the liquid.
- Coat clean hands with olive oil and grab about a tablespoon of meat mixture. Roll into balls and place 1 inch apart on the baking sheet. Bake meatballs for 15 to 18 minutes until a meat thermometer reads 165 degrees F.
- Once the meatballs are done baking, immediately brush with a little maple syrup and sprinkle with flaky sea salt.
Notes
*To make gluten-free: besides using gluten-free panko bread crumbs, you can also use 2-3 tablespoons of coconut flour. Start with 2 tablespoons and see if the meatballs form together well, then add another tablespoon as needed.
Add in cheese: 2 to 3 ounces (½ to ¾ cup) shredded sharp cheddar cheese or gouda would be amazing folded into step 2.
See the full post for more customizations, tips, and tricks!
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving (based on 4) | Calories: 183cal | Carbohydrates: 14.4g | Protein: 28.1g | Fat: 2.3g | Saturated Fat: 0.4g | Fiber: 1.2g | Sugar: 11.8g