Ingredients
Meatball Mixture
- 450 g ground beef
- 55 g gluten-free white bread (about 1 ½ slices)
- ½ onion, grated
- 3 garlic cloves, grated
- ¼ cup BBQ sauce
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Stuffed Filling
- 25 green olives, pitted
Instructions
- Prepare the Onions & Bread: Grate the onion finely and grate or finely chop the gluten-free bread into very small pieces so they incorporate easily and help bind the meatball mixture together.
- Prep the Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, grated onion, bread, grated garlic, BBQ sauce, Italian seasoning, fresh dill, and salt. Mix thoroughly to distribute all ingredients evenly.
- Shape the Meatballs: Line a tray with parchment paper. Using about 2 tablespoons of the meat mixture, flatten it slightly in your hands, then place one pitted green olive in the center. Carefully roll the mixture around the olive to form a tight ball, ensuring the olive is sealed inside and no air pockets remain. If you prefer not to stuff your meatballs, simply roll the mixture into tight balls without olives.
- Chill: Place the shaped meatballs on the tray and chill in the freezer for 15 minutes or refrigerate for 2 hours. This helps the meatballs firm up so they hold together during cooking.
- Cook: Choose your preferred cooking method.
- Air Fryer: Arrange meatballs in a single layer and air fry at 360°F (182°C) for 15 minutes.
- Oven: Place meatballs on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F (177°C) for 20 minutes; then increase the temperature to 400°F (204°C) and bake for an additional 15 minutes, flipping the meatballs halfway through. Ensure the meatballs are golden brown and reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) before serving.
Notes
- You can skip stuffing the meatballs with olives if preferred and just roll them plain.
- Using gluten-free white bread helps bind the mixture without gluten contamination.
- Chilling the meatballs before cooking helps maintain their shape and juiciness.
- Check internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure food safety.
- Serve with extra BBQ sauce or your favorite dipping sauce for added flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American, Gluten-free
- Diet: Gluten Free