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–+ servings
image of ground beef bourbon BBQ sauce cheddar cheese bacon breadcrumbs egg onion garlic Worcestershire sauce parsley hoagie rolls arranged on a white marble kitchen counter with clear glass bowls and rustic brown wooden kitchen sets under soft diffuse daylight realistic top down mise en place
katya bou

Sizzling Bourbon BBQ Cheeseburger Meatball Subs

This recipe combines the savory flavors of a classic cheeseburger with the comfort of meatballs, all glazed in a smoky bourbon BBQ sauce and assembled into hearty subs – perfect for an air fryer quick-and-healthy weeknight meal.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 650
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 lbs For the Meatballs 80/20 blend for moisture
  • 1/2 cup Plain Breadcrumbs or Panko for texture
  • 1 Egg slightly beaten
  • 1/4 cup Yellow Onion finely minced
  • 2 cloves Garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon Salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper
  • 1/4 cup Bacon cooked, crumbled
For the Sub Assembly
  • 6 Hoagie Rolls soft on the inside, sturdy
  • 1.5 cups Bourbon BBQ Sauce smoky brand or make with BBQ sauce spiked with bourbon
  • 1.5 cups Sharp Cheddar Cheese shredded
  • 1/4 cup Fresh Parsley chopped for garnish

Equipment

  • Air Fryer,
  • Mixing bowl
  • Large Pot or Deep Skillet
  • Toaster Oven

Method
 

Mix the Meatball Base
  1. In a large mixing bowl, gently combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, beaten egg, minced onion, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and crispy bacon. Use your hands, but mix just until everything is combined.
  2. Roll the mixture into 1.5-inch meatballs. You should get approximately 18-20 meatballs.
  3. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Place the meatballs in the air fryer basket in a single layer (you may need to do in batches). Air fry for 12-15 minutes, shaking halfway through, until browned and mostly cooked through with an internal temperature of 160°F.
  4. Transfer the air-fried meatballs to a large pot or deep skillet. Pour the Bourbon BBQ Sauce over them. Stir gently to coat. Bring to a simmer over medium-low heat and let bubble for 5-7 minutes to infuse flavor.
  5. While simmering, slice open the hoagie rolls. Lightly toast them in a toaster oven for 3-5 minutes until crisp and golden.
  6. Spoon 3-4 meatballs and sauce into each toasted roll. Top with shredded cheddar cheese.
  7. Return assembled subs to the toaster oven for 2-3 minutes until cheese is melted. Garnish with parsley and serve immediately.

Nutrition

Calories: 650kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 35gFat: 40g

Notes

For best results, use an air fryer for tender, crispy meatballs. Store meatballs separately to avoid soggy bread. Reheat meatballs in sauce on stove, then assemble fresh.
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