Whether you’re looking for a filling appetizer, something different for a protein packed dinner, or maybe you just love yourself some meatballs of all kinds, these Whole30 Buffalo Chicken Meatballs are here just in time for football season!
Whole30 Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
If you’re new here, all you need to know about my recipes is that I basically live for creating comforting and delicious versions of my favorite foods. I rethink them using natural, real ingredients that leave me feeling good. I like to eat healthfully, but I do not want to ever compromise taste or flavor, and these Buffalo Chicken Meatballs are no exception.
Not only are they easy to make (trust me, all of my recipes are doable for all skill levels!), but they’re also completely Whole30, paleo, gluten & grain free and can be made fully dairy free as well.
Make it a meal!
These meatballs are packed with protein and the ranch serves as a healthy fat (when made with compliant avocado oil mayo), so I love to top a big plate of mixed greens with these spicy spheres in order to have a full balanced meal. They’d also be great with roasted potatoes and veggies of any kind! Or, just throw a toothpick in them to be served as a snack with a side of celery sticks during Sunday Football.
DIETARY NOTES
These Whole30 Buffalo Chicken Meatballs are made with real ingredients and fit seamlessly into the following dietary needs when using the products/brands (or ones that are similar) listed in the recipe:
- gluten free
- grain free
- soy free
- refined sugar free
- dairy free (sub olive oil for ghee)
- paleo
- Whole30
Don’t skip the ranch!
Trust me, if you love ranch dressing, this easy Homemade Ranch is about to be your new favorite. Plus, it’s a must with these meatballs!
- Whole30 Homemade Ranch (whole30, paleo, soy free, grain free, gluten free, refined sugar free, dairy free)
Hungry for more?
If you’re looking for some other healthy and delicious appetizer ideas, try these next:
- Wannabe Buffalo Chicken Dip (whole30, paleo, soy free, grain free, gluten free, refined sugar free, dairy free)
- Whole30 & Vegan BBQ Cauliflower Bites (whole30, paleo, soy free, grain free, gluten free, refined sugar free, dairy free, vegan, vegetarian)
- Paleo Zucchini Fritters with Pesto Aioli (whole30, paleo, soy free, grain free, gluten free, refined sugar free, dairy free, vegetarian)
- Paleo Sweet Potato Tots (sub the ghee for vegan butter or olive oil/avocado oil) (whole30, paleo, soy free, grain free, gluten free, refined sugar free, dairy free, vegetarian, vegan compliant)
- Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts (whole30, paleo, soy free, grain free, gluten free, refined sugar free, dairy free)
- Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Potato Skins (whole30, paleo, soy free, grain free, gluten free, refined sugar free, dairy free)
- Deviled Eggs (whole30, paleo, soy free, grain free, gluten free, refined sugar free, dairy free, vegetarian)
- Whole30 Buffalo Chicken Wings (whole30, paleo, soy free, grain free, gluten free, refined sugar free, dairy free)
- Chili Ranch Loaded Sweet Potato Fries (whole30, paleo, soy free, grain free, gluten free, refined sugar free, dairy free)
Craving more meatballs? You’ll love these easy recipes:
- Asian Inspired Meatballs (whole30, paleo, soy free, grain free, gluten free, refined sugar free, dairy free)
- Greek Chicken Meatballs with Tzatziki (soy free, grain free, gluten free, refined sugar free)
- Creamy Tomato and Leek Covered Meatballs (whole30, paleo, soy free, grain free, gluten free, refined sugar free, dairy free)
FOLLOW ALONG
Be sure to follow me on Instagram to see all of the behind the scenes of recipe creation as well as how to videos to watch them come to life! You can also head over to my Pinterest to save all of my recipes in one spot that you plan whip up in the future.
PS – If you make these Buffalo Chicken Meatballs or any of my other recipes, I would be so grateful if you left a review so I can hear what you think! I also am happy to answer any questions you may have on here, but if you want a quicker response, be sure to shoot me a message on Instagram. Thank you so much and talk soon!
Whole30 Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
Ingredients
Meatballs
- 2 lbs ground chicken
- ½ cup almond flour
- 1 egg
- ¼ onion, chopped fine
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- sea salt & black pepper, to taste
Sauce
- ½ cup complaint hot sauce
- ¼ cup ghee (sub olive oil for dairy free)
- ¼ cup bone broth/chicken broth (swap for hot sauce if you love spice! I use Bonafide Provisions Chicken Bone Broth)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400° and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Combine all meatball ingredients in a large bowl and mix to combine. I use my hands!
- Form meatballs into the size of golf balls and space out on the sheet. You should have around 25-30 meatballs. Bake for 25 minutes or until browned on the outside.
- Mix all the sauce ingredients in a skillet over very low heat, just enough to melt the ghee. Stir together until combined.
- Once the meatballs are done, add them to the skillet and cover in the sauce. Turn the heat off.
- Serve warm with chives, ranch and celery sticks. Add any veggies or carb you like to make it a full meal or serve alone as an appetizer!
I’ve made these a bunch of times now. The first time I made them I paired it with qunioa for a more filling meal, but my favorite way is to make a Buffalo Gluten free pasta using Kayla’s favorite Jovial brand. So so good! perfect amount of heat.
Love hearing the different ways you’ve enjoyed these meatballs! The options are endless! 🙂
This appetizer is so delicious!
I made them for an appetizer and with the leftovers the next day I put them in a lettuce wrap to change it up. I’ll be making these at every family gathering.
Hi Ashley! I’m so glad you were able to enjoy these as both an app and a meal! I had some over arugula last night for a dinner twist! I can’t wait to hear what your family thinks as well 🙂 Thank you!
What would be a good swap for the ghee or butter?
I would try avocado oil or extra virgin olive oil! Or, you can try a vegan butter if that’s something you’re looking for. I like Miyoko’s brand!
Planning to make these as a healthy super bowl app this year! They are my fave!
They really make football Sundays so much better! 🙂 So glad you love them!
I made these a few times and they’re fabulous! Most recently I have been making them as sliders! Sooo yummy!
Yum, that sounds amazing, Stacey! Thank you so much for making them and leaving this kind rating/review! 🙂
I made these for Christmas. The recipe was easy and quick! Everyone loved them. The spice/heat level was good for everyone! I made the ranch to go with them! I made them smaller – like appetizer size. I put them In a crockpot which was perfect for keeping them warm all afternoon. They are perfect for a meal any day or any occasion!
Thank you so much for making these and sharing these with your family! I am so glad to hear everyone loved them and love that you made them appetizer size! Thank you so much. 🙂
Looking forward to making these, but I’m allergic to Almonds. What would be a good binding substitute that is Whole30 approved?
Hi there! I have not tested any other flours, but you could Google to almond flour conversion ratio for coconut flour or cassava flour and try them out! Be sure to use the proper ratio as they will be different measurements from the almond flour! Let me know if you give it a try. 🙂
I made these meatballs for my family. I didn’t have ground chicken so I used ground Turkey. It was so amazingly delicious and my entire family loved it! This dinner will definitely be on repeat!!!
I’m so happy to hear that this recipe works with ground turkey as well! I love that you made it work with what you had and that the whole fam enjoyed it! Thanks so much, Daria! 🙂
I made these buffalo chicken meatballs on Sunday along with the homemade ranch dressing and they were an instant hit. I’ve already got more ground chicken defrosting so that I can make it again!
I’m so excited to hear this, Logynn!! Sounds like you love these as much as me. 🙂 Thank you so much!
Another winner from Kayla! I’m only disappointed I waited so long to try this recipe.
Made these for a quick Sunday dinner and everything came together so perfectly and quickly, served them with roasted spaghetti squash and it was perfect! This is sure to be another new addition to our rotation.
Oh, I love that you served them with spaghetti squash, yum!! Thrilled this is going into your rotation! I very much appreciate this kind review, thank you, Ashley! 🙂
OMG i found her the tiktok video. I found the recipe and i dont regret it at all!!! Sooo good. I am currently on my day 16th of whole 30 i didnt have almond flower but i had coconut flower. I paired it with cauliflower rice and carrots again SOOO GOOD!!!
Yay I am so glad you found this recipe of mine and that you loved it so much! Thank you, Brenda!! 🙂
What is complaint sauce…never heard of it??
This recipe is Whole30 complaint so the sauce needs to be compliant where needed. I think that should answer your question!
I’m going to make them for my Super Bowl party. I’m just curious what type of Frank’s hot sauce you use? There’s so many options. I bought the red hot wings buffalo. What is everyone using?
I’m just seeing this now! Did you find what you needed in time?
Can we use gluten free flour instead of almond flour?
The ratio would need to be altered and note that I have not personally tried it. Be sure to Google the proper conversion if you do!