Cantonese Meatballs Appetizers

Perfect for entertaining, these Cantonese Meatballs Appetizers are a flavorful fusion of classic Asian ingredients and satisfying textures, making them an ideal crowd-pleaser. Made with ground pork, crunchy water chestnuts, and aromatic scallions, these bite-sized delights are seasoned with soy sauce, oyster sauce, and Shaoxing wine for an authentic depth of flavor. A hint of sesame oil and a dash of white pepper elevate them to restaurant-quality perfection. Quickly pan-fried to golden brown, these meatballs are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, ready in just 35 minutes. Serve them warm with a side of hoisin sauce for dipping, and watch as they disappear in seconds at your next party or gathering. This easy-to-make appetizer recipe is perfect for family dinners, potlucks, and holiday feasts!

Nutriscore Rating: 61/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 500 grams ground pork
• 3 stalks scallions
• 100 grams water chestnuts
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
• 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 0.5 teaspoon white pepper
• 1 large egg
• 3 tablespoons panko breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons neutral cooking oil
• 0 hoisin sauce (optional, for dipping)

Directions

Step 1

Finely chop the scallions and water chestnuts, ensuring they are small enough to incorporate smoothly into the meatball mixture.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground pork, chopped scallions, chopped water chestnuts, soy sauce, oyster sauce, Shaoxing wine, sesame oil, cornstarch, sugar, white pepper, egg, and panko breadcrumbs.

Step 3

Mix the ingredients thoroughly by hand or with a spatula until the mixture feels cohesive and slightly sticky.

Step 4

Using your hands, roll the mixture into small, even meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter. You should get approximately 20-24 meatballs.

Step 5

Heat the neutral cooking oil in a large skillet or non-stick frying pan over medium heat.

Step 6

Place the meatballs into the pan in a single layer without overcrowding. Do this in batches if necessary.

Step 7

Cook the meatballs for 3-4 minutes per side, turning them occasionally until they are golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 160°F (71°C).

Step 8

Transfer the cooked meatballs to a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.

Step 9

Serve the meatballs warm with hoisin sauce or your preferred dipping sauce on the side.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(855.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2265.0

Total Fat 155.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 46.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 7.8g
Cholesterol 669.5mg	0%
Sodium 2557.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 66.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 5.4g	0%
Total Sugars 19.7g
Protein 144.3g	0%

Vitamin D 53.8IU	0%
Calcium 238.4mg	0%
Iron 7.6mg	0%
Potassium 952.9mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 62.4%

Protein: 25.7%

Carbs: 11.8%