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Spicy Mexican Donkey Balls

Spicy Mexican Donkey Balls: Cheesy Meatballs to Wow Your Guests

You won’t believe how quickly I pulled together these Spicy Mexican Donkey Balls, perfect as an appetizer or a main dish.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 6 meatballs
Course: Appetizers
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 250
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Meatballs
  • 1 pound Ground Beef can be swapped with ground turkey or chicken
  • 1 medium Chopped Onion shallots can be used for milder taste
  • 1/4 cup Fresh Cilantro parsley can be a substitute
  • 1 medium Jalapeño Pepper adjust as needed for spice level
  • 2 cloves Garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon Ground Cumin coriander can be used for a twist
  • 1 tablespoon Chili Powder different blends can tweak the heat
  • 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika opt for regular paprika for less smokiness
  • 1 teaspoon Salt adjust to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon Pepper adjust to taste
  • 1 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese Monterey Jack works for milder flavor
  • 1 cup Crushed Tortilla Chips panko breadcrumbs can work as a substitute
  • 1 large Egg beaten
  • 1 tablespoon Olive Oil for searing; avocado oil is a replacement
For the Sauce
  • 1 can Mexican-Style Tomatoes with Green Chilies can use diced tomatoes for extra flavor
For Garnishing
  • 2 each Fresh Lime Wedges adds brightness and acidity

Equipment

  • large mixing bowl
  • Skillet
  • Baking tray
  • Meat Thermometer

Method
 

Step‑by‑Step Instructions for Spicy Mexican Donkey Balls
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure a perfectly cooked center.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, chopped onion, fresh cilantro, diced jalapeño, minced garlic, ground cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
  3. Gently fold in the shredded cheddar cheese and crushed tortilla chips to the meatball mixture.
  4. Crack a beaten egg into the bowl and mix until completely combined.
  5. Take small portions of the mixture and roll them into golf-ball-sized meatballs.
  6. In a large skillet, heat a drizzle of olive oil over medium heat. Once hot, add the meatballs and sear them until browned on all sides.
  7. Pour the Mexican-style tomatoes with green chilies over and around the meatballs in the skillet.
  8. Carefully transfer the skillet to your preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes until done.
  9. Remove the skillet from the oven and serve hot, garnished with fresh lime wedges.

Nutrition

Serving: 1meatballCalories: 250kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 15gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 60mgSodium: 400mgPotassium: 250mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 200mgIron: 2mg

Notes

These meatballs will surely impress at any gathering or cozy dinner!

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