Description
A fun, portable twist on classic meatball subs, these skewered appetizers feature juicy meatballs, gooey cheese, and golden pizza dough—perfect for parties, potlucks, or holiday gatherings. Quick to assemble and endlessly customizable, they’re a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
- 1 lb frozen meatballs (beef, pork, turkey, or plant-based, about 20 pieces)
- 1 tube refrigerated pizza dough (13.8 oz)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup marinara sauce (for dipping)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (or a mix of oregano, basil, and thyme)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional for garnish)
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
- 10–12 wooden skewers (8-inch long)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Thaw frozen meatballs according to package instructions (microwave for 2-3 minutes or bake for 10 minutes) until warm but not hot.
- Roll out pizza dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4-inch thick. Slice into 10-12 long strips, about 1-inch wide.
- Thread 2 meatballs onto each skewer, leaving space between for dough wrap. Sprinkle a little cheese between meatballs.
- Wrap one strip of dough around the meatballs, weaving in and out to cover each ball and some of the stick. Pinch ends to secure.
- Melt butter and stir in garlic powder and Italian herbs. Brush generously over each wrapped skewer. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and extra cheese if desired.
- Place skewers on the lined baking sheet. Bake for 15-18 minutes until dough is golden brown and puffed, and cheese is melted. Meatballs should be heated through (internal temp 165°F).
- Let sticks cool for 2 minutes, then sprinkle with chopped parsley.
- Serve hot on a platter with a bowl of warm marinara sauce for dipping.
Notes
Soak wooden skewers in water for 10 minutes before assembling to prevent burning. For gluten-free or vegetarian options, use gluten-free dough and plant-based meatballs. Assemble skewers ahead and bake just before serving. For extra crisp, broil for 1 minute at the end. Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: American, Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stick (2 meatballs, dough, cheese)
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 480
- Fat: 8
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Carbohydrates: 18
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 12
Keywords: meatball subs, appetizer, Thanksgiving, party food, skewers, easy recipe, kid-friendly, handheld, pizza dough, cheese, marinara, holiday snack