Spicy Mexican Donkey Balls

why make this recipe

This snack is bold, spicy, and fun. It cooks fast in the oven. You can serve it for a party, game day, or a quick family meal. If you want other meatball ideas, try creamy mushroom chicken meatballs for another simple twist.

introduction

Spicy Mexican Donkey Balls are small beef balls with cheese and chips inside. They have a bright, fresh taste from cilantro and lime. They are easy to make and fill the kitchen with good smells.

how to make Spicy Mexican Donkey Balls

You make a simple mix, add crushed chips and cheese, shape into balls, and bake. First cook onion, garlic, and jalapeno in olive oil until soft. Then mix that into the raw beef with spices, egg, and tomatoes. Fold in crushed tortilla chips and cheese. Form balls and bake until brown and cooked through. For a green twist or added veggies, you can follow similar steps from the easy spinach garlic meatballs recipe.

Ingredients :

• 1 lb Ground beef
• 1/4 cup Cilantro, fresh
• 1 clove Garlic
• 1 Jalapeno pepper
• 1 Lime, Fresh wedges
• 1 can Mexican-style tomatoes with green chilies
• 1/2 cup Onion
• 1 Egg
• 1 tsp Chili powder
• 1/2 tsp Paprika, smoked
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tbsp Olive oil
• 1 tsp Cumin, ground
• 1/2 cup Tortilla chips
• 1 cup Cheddar cheese

Directions :

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion, minced garlic, and diced jalapeno. Sauté until softened.
3. In a bowl, combine ground beef, cilantro, Mexican-style tomatoes, egg, chili powder, paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper. Add the sautéed mixture and blend well.
4. Crush tortilla chips and fold them into the meat mixture with shredded cheddar cheese.
5. Form the mixture into balls and place on a baking sheet.
6. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until cooked through and golden brown.
7. Serve with lime wedges and your choice of dipping sauce.

how to serve Spicy Mexican Donkey Balls

Serve warm with lime wedges. Offer salsa, sour cream, or guacamole for dipping. They go well with a simple salad or rice. For a different sauce idea, see how a rich onion sauce pairs with meatballs in the French onion meatballs savory onion sauce recipe.

how to store Spicy Mexican Donkey Balls

Cool the balls to room temperature. Put them in an airtight container. Store in the fridge for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before reheating.

tips to make Spicy Mexican Donkey Balls

• Do not overmix the meat or the balls can become tough.
• Crush the chips by hand so some chunks remain for texture.
• Use a cookie scoop to make balls the same size for even baking.
• If you want more heat, leave seeds in the jalapeno or add hot sauce.
• To keep balls moist, do not overbake; check with a meat thermometer for 160°F (71°C).

variation (if any)

• Make them smaller for bite-size appetizers.
• Swap ground beef for ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
• Add corn or black beans to the mix for more texture.
• Use pepper jack cheese instead of cheddar for more spice.

FAQs

Q: Can I make these ahead of time?
A: Yes. You can form the balls and keep them in the fridge for a few hours before baking. Or freeze them unbaked.

Q: Can I cook them on the stove instead of baking?
A: Yes. Brown them in a skillet over medium heat, then lower the heat and cook until done. Turn often so they brown evenly.

Q: Are these dairy-free or gluten-free?
A: They are not dairy-free as written because of cheddar cheese. For gluten-free, check that the tortilla chips are labeled gluten-free.

Q: How do I know when they are fully cooked?
A: Use a meat thermometer. The internal temp should reach 160°F (71°C) for ground beef.

Q: Can I skip the egg?
A: You can try a small amount of breadcrumbs or a flax egg as a binder, but texture may change.

Conclusion

These Spicy Mexican Donkey Balls make a bold, simple snack for many occasions. For another take on this kind of snack, you can find a similar recipe at Spicy Mexican Donkey Balls Recipe – DishesbyDaisy. If you like cheesy, bite-size snacks, see this classic idea for Cream Cheese Sausage Balls – The Country Cook.

Spicy Mexican Donkey Balls

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• Author: lamharmalmehdi25
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings
• Diet: Omnivore

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Description

Bold and spicy beef balls filled with cheese and tortilla chips, perfect for parties or game day.

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Ingredients

• 1 lb Ground beef
• 1/4 cup Cilantro, fresh
• 1 clove Garlic, minced
• 1 Jalapeno pepper, diced
• 1 Lime, Fresh wedges
• 1 can Mexican-style tomatoes with green chilies
• 1/2 cup Onion, chopped
• 1 Egg
• 1 tsp Chili powder
• 1/2 tsp Paprika, smoked
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tbsp Olive oil
• 1 tsp Cumin, ground
• 1/2 cup Tortilla chips, crushed
• 1 cup Cheddar cheese, shredded

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion, minced garlic, and diced jalapeno. Sauté until softened.
3. In a bowl, combine ground beef, cilantro, Mexican-style tomatoes, egg, chili powder, paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper. Add the sautéed mixture and blend well.
4. Crush tortilla chips and fold them into the meat mixture with shredded cheddar cheese.
5. Form the mixture into balls and place on a baking sheet.
6. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until cooked through and golden brown.
7. Serve warm with lime wedges and your choice of dipping sauce.

Notes

Do not overmix the meat to prevent toughness. Use a cookie scoop for even baking. Consider leaving jalapeno seeds for more heat.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 600mg
• Fat: 21g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 23g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 20g
• Cholesterol: 70mg

Keywords: beef, snacks, party food, Mexican, meatballs