Sausage balls are the ultimate crowd-pleasing appetizer—crispy on the outside, cheesy on the inside, and packed with flavor in every bite. Whether you’re planning a holiday party, game day snack spread, or a make-ahead breakfast option, these bite-sized gems deliver big flavor with just a few simple ingredients. Best of all, you can whip them up in just 35 minutes and bake them in batches!
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Only 7 ingredients and 1 bowl
- No fancy equipment needed
- Freezer-friendly and great for meal prep
- Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or party platters
- Customizable with cheeses, spices, or gluten-free mixes
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground pork sausage (mild or spicy)
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 2 cups biscuit baking mix (like Bisquick)
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp black pepper
- Optional: Fresh herbs (parsley or chives) for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven
Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. - Mix Ingredients
In a large bowl, combine the sausage and cheese first. Then add biscuit mix, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, and pepper. - Form the Balls
Mix with your hands or a sturdy spoon until a dough forms. Roll into 1-inch balls using your hands or a cookie scoop. - Bake
Arrange the balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them slightly apart. Bake for 20 minutes, or until golden and firm. - Cool & Serve
Let them rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped herbs, if desired. Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce.
Recipe Details
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Servings: 24 sausage balls
Nutrition Facts (Per Ball)
- Calories: 100
- Protein: 5g
- Fat: 8g
- Carbs: 2g
- Fiber: 0g
Tips & Variations
- Spice it up: Add hot sauce or use spicy sausage
- Cheese swap: Try pepper jack, mozzarella, or gouda
- Make ahead: Chill the formed dough for firmer texture
- Gluten-free option: Use a gluten-free biscuit mix
Sausage Balls
Equipment
- – Mixing bowl
- – Baking sheet
- – Parchment paper
- – Cookie scoop (optional)
Ingredients
- – 1 lb ground sausage
- – 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- – 2 cups biscuit baking mix
- – ¼ cup milk
- – 1 tsp garlic powder
- – 1 tsp onion powder
- – ½ tsp black pepper
- – Optional: chopped herbs for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Mix sausage and cheese in a large bowl.
- Add biscuit mix, milk, and seasonings. Mix to form dough.
- Roll into 1-inch balls.
- Place on lined baking sheet and bake 20 minutes.
- Let cool slightly and serve warm.
Notes
– Swap cheese or sausage types for different flavors
FAQs
Can I make sausage balls ahead of time?
Yes! You can prep and shape them, then refrigerate until ready to bake.
Can they be frozen?
Absolutely. Freeze unbaked sausage balls on a tray, then store in freezer bags. Bake straight from frozen, adding 5 extra minutes.
What dipping sauces go best with sausage balls?
Try ranch, honey mustard, BBQ sauce, or spicy aioli.
Can I use turkey or chicken sausage?
Yes! Just be aware the flavor will be milder and the texture slightly different.
Do I need to cook the sausage first?
Nope—the raw sausage cooks perfectly in the oven as the balls bake.
Conclusion
These easy, cheesy sausage balls are the ultimate bite-sized comfort food. Whether you’re prepping for a holiday get-together or stocking your freezer with quick breakfast bites, this recipe checks every box: fast, flavorful, freezer-friendly, and endlessly customizable. Be warned—they disappear fast!