Can I bake these meatballs instead of frying them?

Absolutely! While frying gives that authentic golden crust, you can bake them at 400°F for about 15-18 minutes on a parchment-lined baking sheet. They won't have quite the same exterior texture but will still be delicious and healthier.

What can I substitute for fish sauce if I don't have any?

If you're without fish sauce, use an additional tablespoon of soy sauce with a splash of lime juice to mimic some of that unique flavor. The taste won't be identical, but it will still produce tasty meatballs.

Why are my meatballs falling apart during cooking?

This typically happens when there's not enough binding agent. Make sure you're using a large enough egg, and if needed, add an extra tablespoon of panko. Also, chilling the formed meatballs for 15 minutes before cooking can help them hold together better.

Can I use other ground meats for this recipe?

Yes! While traditional Bola-Bola uses pork, you can substitute with ground chicken, turkey, or beef. Just note that leaner meats like chicken breast might produce slightly drier meatballs, so consider adding a tablespoon of oil to the mixture.

Bola-Bola (Filipino Meatballs) Recipe

Name: Bola-Bola (Filipino Meatballs) Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: Filipino
Ingredients: 1 small yellow onion, grated (1/4 cup); 1 medium carrot, peeled and grated (3/4 cup); 3 cloves garlic, grated; 1 pound ground pork; 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs; 1 large egg; 1 tablespoon soy sauce; 2 teaspoons fish sauce; 2 teaspoons oyster sauce; 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt; 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; 2 cups neutral oil (canola or vegetable); Sweet chili sauce; Cooked white rice (optional)

Description

Bola-Bola, a Filipino favorite, is a delightful blend of ground pork and flavorful seasonings, shaped into tender meatballs that are fried to perfection. These meatballs are perfect as a snack, appetizer, or main course, with their crispy exterior and flavorful, juicy interior. Serve them with sweet chili sauce for a touch of sweetness and spice or pair with steamed white rice for a comforting meal.

Ingredients

Units Scale

Meatballs

1 small yellow onion, grated (1/4 cup)
1 medium carrot, peeled and grated (3/4 cup)
3 cloves garlic, grated
1 pound ground pork
1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
1 large egg
1 tablespoon soy sauce
2 teaspoons fish sauce
2 teaspoons oyster sauce
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

For Frying

2 cups neutral oil (canola or vegetable)

For Serving

Sweet chili sauce
Cooked white rice (optional)

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Instructions

Prepare the meatballs.
In a large mixing bowl, grate the yellow onion (1/4 cup), carrot (3/4 cup), and garlic cloves. Add ground pork, panko breadcrumbs, egg, soy sauce, fish sauce, oyster sauce, kosher salt, and black pepper. Mix everything together thoroughly using your hands until the ingredients are evenly combined.
Shape the meatballs.
Using a spoon or scoop, form 2-tablespoon portions of the mixture, rolling them with damp hands into smooth, even balls. You should end up with approximately 22 meatballs. Place them on a large plate.
Heat the oil.
In a large cast iron skillet, pour the neutral oil and heat over medium heat to a temperature of 350ºF. This process should take about 8 minutes. Line a baking sheet with a wire rack or paper towels to place the meatballs after frying.
Fry the meatballs.
Fry 10 to 12 meatballs at a time. Carefully add the meatballs to the hot oil using tongs. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden-brown and fully cooked. Once done, transfer the fried meatballs to the prepared wire rack or paper towels to drain any excess oil.
Serve.
Serve the meatballs hot with sweet chili sauce for dipping. Optionally, enjoy with cooked white rice for a complete meal.

Notes

Ensure the oil is at the correct temperature (350ºF) before frying to achieve even cooking and a crispy exterior.
For a healthier option, you can bake the meatballs at 400ºF for 15-20 minutes, flipping them halfway through.
If the meatball mixture is too sticky, lightly oil your hands to make shaping easier.
These meatballs freeze well. Shape them into balls and freeze them raw, then cook when needed.
Adjust the seasoning to taste by tweaking the amount of soy sauce, fish sauce, and oyster sauce.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 5 meatballs
Calories: 380
Sugar: 2g
Sodium: 590mg
Fat: 27g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Unsaturated Fat: 18g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 8g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 22g
Cholesterol: 95mg