Slow Cooker Apple Bbq Meatballs

1 cup unsweetened applesauce

1 cup BBQ sauce

1 large egg

1 apple skin on or off, grated

1 pound ground chuck

1/2 cup plain breadcrumbs

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

snipped parsley for garnish

LET’S MAKE IT-

Add applesauce and BBQ sauce to a 3 quart slow cooker, stir to combine. In the bowl of a stand mixer, add the egg, apple, ground chuck, bread crumbs, garlic powder, pepper, salt and crushed red pepper. Mix for 30 seconds. Make meatballs just a bit smaller than a golf ball and add to the crockpot. Cover and cook on high for 2 1/2 hours. Cook for 4 1/2 hours on low. Stir and transfer to a serving platter. Garnish with snipped parsley. Serve. Store leftovers covered in the fridge, serves 4.

Notes: you can easily double of triple this recipe for a crowd, using a 6 or 8 quart slow cooker. You can also bake these meatballs in the oven In a 2 quart casserole dish covered with foil for 45 minutes at 375F. Uncover and bake an additional 8 minutes.