Halloween Mummy Meatballs
These spooky mummy meatballs are made from juicy ground beef mixed with breadcrumbs and seasonings, baked until golden and crispy. They are wrapped in cheesy “bandages” and decorated with googly eyes, creating a fun, chaotic dish perfect for Halloween or playful dinners. The result is a chewy, cheesy, crispy snack with a gooey surprise inside and a whimsical appearance.
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Small spatula or spoon
- Sharp knife
- Toothpicks or small skewers
- Oven
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef preferably a mix of lean and fat
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs plain or unseasoned
- 1 large egg for binding
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/4 cup onion finely chopped or grated
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika adds depth of flavor
- to taste salt and pepper
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese cut into thin strips for wrapping
- as needed candy eyes or tiny cheese balls and black olives
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, panko breadcrumbs, egg, minced garlic, chopped onion, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Gently mix everything together until just combined, being careful not to overwork the meat.
- Using your hands or a spoon, form the mixture into small, roughly 2-inch diameter meatballs and place them evenly spaced on your prepared baking sheet.
- Bake the meatballs in the preheated oven for 15–18 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked through, with a slight jiggle in the center.
- While the meatballs bake, cut the mozzarella cheese into thin, long strips that will serve as your 'bandages'. Keep them ready for wrapping.
- Remove the meatballs from the oven and let them cool for a minute so they’re easier to handle without burning your fingers.
- Wrap each meatball with cheese strips, overlapping slightly to resemble bandages. Use toothpicks or small skewers if needed to hold the cheese in place.
- Decorate the top of each wrapped meatball with candy eyes or tiny cheese balls, attaching them with a small dab of water or egg wash to make sure they stick.
- Allow the wrapped meatballs to rest for 3–5 minutes so the cheese can set slightly before serving.
- Arrange the mummy meatballs on a spooky platter or in a bowl, and serve warm. Enjoy the fun chaos on your plate!
Notes
For extra gooeyness, microwave the wrapped meatballs for a few seconds before serving. Keep leftovers in the fridge and reheat briefly to enjoy again. Use black olives instead of eyes for a spookier look.