Sausage Balls Recipe (2024)

Sausage ballsare an easy and delicious dish. Perfect for breakfast and brunch or as a game-day and holiday appetizer!

Looking for more easy appetizer recipes? You’ll love myspinach artichoke dip, buffalo chicken wings, and Swedish meatballs.

Sausage Balls Recipe (1)

Sausage balls have always been a favorite bite-sized dish. They are so versatile and perfect for so many occasions. I remember that my Mama would make them for Christmas morning brunch, New Year’s Eve snacks to help us make it to midnight, and to nibble on while watching football games. This is her made-from-scratch, easy-as-can-be, homemade sausage balls recipe. No mixes included!

What You’ll Love About This Recipe

Easy recipe. Just mix, scoop, bake and enjoy!

Simple ingredients. This classic recipe uses 4 ingredients along with optional seasonings. These are all items you most likely have in your pantry and refrigerator!

Incredible flavor. Sausage balls have so much flavor from the sausage, cheese, and whatever seasonings you decide to include. They are a crowd favorite!

Sausage Balls Recipe (2)

Why Are These the Best Sausage Balls?

Along with it being an easy recipe, using simple ingredients, and having incredible flavor, these sausage balls are made from scratch! Many people make sausage balls using a biscuit mix. That recipe also uses 4 ingredients where you can include optional seasonings. I prefer to make my sausage balls from scratch and how my Mama always made hers. They make the easiest and best sausage balls! I always have flour, but I never seem to have specialty baking mix in my pantry.

How to Make Easy Sausage Balls Recipe

Ingredients

Sausage Balls Recipe (3)

For this recipe, you’ll need four basic ingredients: ground pork sausage, self-rising flour, cheddar cheese, and milk.

To these basic ingredients, you can mix your favorite seasonings based on your preferences. Some seasonings my family enjoys are salt, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.

Substitutions

Sausage – you may use your favorite turkey sausage or chicken sausage instead of the uncooked pork sausage in this recipe.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Sausage Balls Recipe (4)

Mix. Add the sausage, flour, cheddar cheese, and milk to a mixing bowl. Stir together until combined. If you have a stand mixer, use it with the paddle attachment to make this recipe even more quickly.

Sausage Balls Recipe (5)

Scoop. Scoop balls of the sausage mixture onto a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. You can use a cookie scoop or a spoon for this!

Sausage Balls Recipe (6)

Bake. Bake 20 minutes until golden brown and cooked throughout. Allow them to rest for about 5 minutes before serving.

Sausage Balls Recipe (7)

Serve. Serve warm and watch them disappear!

Storage Tips

Baked and leftovers. Prepare according to the directions. Allow to cool and store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Unbaked. Prepare without baking. Place the uncooked sausage balls onto a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and into the freezer overnight to freeze. Transfer the frozen balls into a freezer-safe zip-top bag or airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, remove the number you’d like to bake and thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Then bake as directed.

Sausage Balls Recipe (8)

Suggested Dips for Serving with this Recipe

You can serve it with real maple syrup as part of a breakfast or brunch or with ranch dressing or honey mustard for a game-day treat!

Here’s my family’s recipe for sausage balls. I you love them as much as my family does!

Sausage Balls Recipe

Robyn Stone

5 from 7 votes

Sausage ballsare an easy and delicious dish. Perfect for breakfast and brunch or as a game-day and holiday appetizer!

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes minutes

Servings: 60

Ingredients

  • 1 pound (454 g) breakfast sausage, pork, turkey, or chicken
  • 1 pound (454 g) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 2 cups (226 g) self-rising flour
  • 1/4 cup (57 g) milk

Additional Seasonings (Optional)

  • 1/2 teaspoon (1 g) kosher salt, optional
  • 1/4 teaspoon (1.8 g) cayenne pepper, optional
  • 1/4 teaspoon (0.75 g) garlic powder, optional
  • 1/4 teaspoon (0.6 g) onion powder, optional

Instructions

  • Prep. Preheat oven to 350º F. Line baking sheet pans with parchment paper.

  • Mix. Mix together all ingredients in a large bowl until just well-combined. Scoop mixture into tablespoon-sized balls with a scoop or using two spoons.

  • Bake. Bake 20 minutes or until golden brown and cooked throughout.

Notes

How to Make Ahead, Store and Freeze Sausage Balls

Baked and leftovers. Prepare according to the directions. Allow to cool and store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Unbaked. Prepare without baking. Place the uncooked sausage balls onto a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and into the freezer overnight to freeze. Transfer the frozen balls into a freezer-safe zip-top bag or airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, remove the number you’d like to bake and thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Then bake as directed.

Nutrition

Calories: 69kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 13mg | Sodium: 115mg | Potassium: 32mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 87IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 57mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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Enjoy!
Robyn xo

Categorized as:30 Minutes or Less Recipes, All Recipes, Appetizers, Bread Recipes, Breakfast Recipes, By Cooking Style, By Special Diets, Camping, Chicken Recipes, Christmas Recipes, Cooking, Dinner Recipes, Egg-Free Recipes, Father’s Day Recipes, Freezer Friendly Recipes, Game Day Recipes, Halloween Recipes, Holiday and Occasion Recipes, Make-ahead Recipes, New Year Recipes, Pork Recipes, Recipes, Shower Recipes, Simple Recipes, Southern Favorites, Thanksgiving Recipes

Welcome to Add A Pinch

About Robyn

Robyn Stone is a cookbook author, wife, mom, and passionate home cook. Her tested and trusted recipes give readers the confidence to cook recipes the whole family will love. Robyn has been featured on Food Network, People, Southern Living, and more.

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Sausage Balls Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What are sausage balls made of? ›

Combine sausage, Cheddar cheese, flour, baking powder, salt, onion powder, seasoned salt, and dry mustard in a large bowl. Form into walnut-size balls and place on rimmed nonstick baking sheets. Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown and no longer pink in the centers, about 20 minutes.

How do you keep sausage balls from flattening? ›

Why do my sausage balls flatten out? The mixture may be too wet or not well-chilled before baking. Add a bit more baking mix or flour if it's too wet. Additionally, refrigerate the balls at least 30 minutes before baking to help them hold their shape.

How do you keep sausage balls from burning on the bottom? ›

HOW DO YOU KEEP SAUSAGE BALLS FROM BURNING ON THE BOTTOM?
  1. Line the baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat (Silpat) to create a barrier between the sausage balls and the direct heat of the baking sheet. ...
  2. If possible, choose a light-colored baking sheet. ...
  3. Check early and often.
Jan 11, 2024

Why did my sausage balls go flat in the oven? ›

Typically these balls, when made into round shapes using a cookie scoop and rolling in your hands, should retain their round shape. One reason some flatten when cooking if when pre-shredded cheese was used in the recipe. Pre-shredded cheese doesn't hold up as well as if you shred the cheese by hand from a block cheese.

Do you have to refrigerate sausage balls after you make them? ›

Sausage balls can sit out while serving for up to two hours. Past that point, they should be refrigerated and reheated. Do sausage balls need a dipping sauce? Sausage balls are delicious all on their own, but you can pair with ranch, honey mustard, or any other dipping sauce you love.

How long do sausage balls stay fresh? ›

Of course, when you purchase properly packed sausage balls they will be safe in the refrigerator for a few days and up to a month in the freezer. It is a good idea to cook them while they are still fresh for optimum freshness and flavor. Cooked sausage balls can be kept for up to 3 to 4 days.

Why did my sausage turn out dry? ›

Cook your snags low and slow and never prick your sausage:

The fatal mistake is that most have the pan or BBQ way too hot so the outside of the sausage burns before the inside is cooked and the sausage casing splits so all your precious sausage juices escape, meaning your sausage will be dry and far less tasty.

How long do raw sausage balls last in the fridge? ›

All sausages- except dry sausage - are perishable and therefore must be kept refrigerated or frozen. Uncooked fresh sausage can be stored in the refrigerator one to two days; after cooking, keep for three to four days refrigerated (40 °F or less).

Can you eat sausage balls that were left out overnight? ›

Can sausage balls sit out? After you have formed the sausage balls, you can leave them on the counter for a short period of time, but since it is raw meat, you should store them in the refrigerator until ready to bake. After they have cooked, you can leave them at room temperature in an airtight container for 2-3 days.

Why do my sausages always burn? ›

Heat a heavy-based frying pan on a low to medium heat.

If it's too hot, the sausages will burn on the outside before cooking in the middle. Be patient and let them cook gently.

How do you keep sausage moist and cooked? ›

To determine whether it's done, you can measure the internal temperature with a meat thermometer. Sausages should reach 155–165°F (68–74°C). Alternatively, boiling them before cooking in a pan or on a grill can ensure that they're thoroughly cooked and remain moist.

How to cook sausages evenly in oven? ›

How to cook sausages in the oven
  1. 1 tbsp oil (such as sunflower or vegetable oil)
  2. 6 pork sausages. Heat the oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5. Pour the oil in a roasting tin and add the sausages. Turn them in the oil to coat, then roast for 20-25 mins, turning a few times during cooking.
Mar 10, 2022

How do you tell if a sausage is cooked in the middle? ›

Use a meat thermometer to make sure your sausage is between 160 and 165 °F (71 and 74 °C). If you don't have a meat thermometer, check that the sausage is firm and has clear, runny juices. Cut it open and make sure the inside is brown, not pink.

What is the Mcdonalds sausage made out of? ›

Nutritional Information

Ingredients: Pork, Water, Salt, Spices, Dextrose, Sugar, Rosemary Extract, Natural Flavors.

What part of the animal is sausage made from? ›

Sausages often have meat from the animal's head, lips, cheeks, ears and other parts. Some have blood in them. German and British sausages normally have a lot of "rusk," or bread crumbs, and they are less meaty than sausages from other countries.

What part of the animal is used for sausage? ›

To make a proper pork sausage, you should use a pork butt or pork picnic shoulder. Both come from the pig's shoulder area and naturally have the appropriate ratio of meat to fat. Picnic shoulders cost less per pound but have more connective tissue and sinew to remove than a pork butt.

What animal is sausage casing made of? ›

Generally, "natural" sausage casings are made from the sub mucosa of the intestines of meat animals (beef, sheep, and swine).

References

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