Maple Apple Breakfast Chicken Meatballs
Published: Friday, February 27, 2026
1 lb. (93% lean) ground chicken (or turkey or pork sausage)
1 large egg
1 medium to large apple (such as Honeycrisp), peeled and shredded
2/3 c. panko breadcrumbs
1 to 2 Tbsp. pure maple syrup
1 Tbsp. fresh finely chopped sage leaves (or ½ tsp. dried sage)
1 tsp. kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
½ tsp. red pepper flakes (optional)
½ tsp. dried thyme (or 1 tsp. fresh thyme leaves)
½ tsp. garlic powder
¼ tsp. ground ginger
¼ tsp. allspice
Extra-virgin olive oil
Optional: 1 to 2 Tbsp. maple syrup, flaky sea salt
Preheat oven to 400°. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl, add the ground chicken, egg, shredded apple, panko breadcrumbs, maple syrup, sage, salt, red pepper flakes, thyme, garlic powder, ground ginger and allspice until just combined. Let the mixture sit for 5-10 minutes so the breadcrumbs absorb some of the liquid.
Coat clean hands with olive oil and grab about a tablespoon of meat mixture. Roll into balls and place 1" apart on the baking sheet. Bake meatballs for 15-18 minutes until a meat thermometer reads 165°. Once the meatballs are done baking, immediately brush with a little maple syrup and sprinkle with flaky sea salt. —4 servings.
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