Sausage Balls

Weekend mornings in our house are anything but quiet. The kids are bouncing off the walls, the coffee machine is working overtime, and something cheesy is usually baking in the oven. On the best mornings, that something is sausage balls.

I started making them years ago on a whim with leftover sausage and baking mix. What surprised me wasn’t just how easy they were, but how quickly they disappeared. From that day on, they earned a spot in our regular rotation.

There’s a certain magic in the way the edges crisp up while the insides stay soft and savory. Every bite feels like home. And when I say the kids love them, I mean these things barely hit the table.

They’re not fancy. They don’t try to be. But sausage balls are comfort food at its best—low-stress, high-reward, and always welcome.

Short Description

Sausage balls are bite‑sized, cheesy, savory snacks made from ground pork sausage, shredded Cheddar, and baking mix—rolled into balls and baked until golden brown. Perfect for breakfast, parties, or just grabbing on the go.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 450 g (1 lb) ground pork sausage, room temp
• 225 g (2 cups) biscuit or baking mix (like Bisquick®)
• 225 g (2 cups) sharp Cheddar, freshly shredded

Optional Add‑Ins (for extra flavor)

• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ¼ tsp onion powder
• Pinch of black pepper

Tools & Equipment

• Large bowl
• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper (or silicone mat)
• Measuring cups and spoons

How To Make Sausage Balls

Step 1: Prep everything first
Gather and measure your ingredients. Preheat the oven to 180 °C (350 °F). Line a baking sheet with parchment.

Step 2: Mix the base
In a bowl, combine room-temperature sausage and baking mix using your hands until well mixed. This helps the sausage bind and traps the flavors.

Step 3: Add cheese & season
Stir in the shredded Cheddar and optional garlic/onion powders. Mix until the mixture is uniform.

Step 4: Roll into balls
With clean hands, roll walnut-sized balls (about 1 ½ inches in diameter). You should get ~30. Place them evenly on the prepared sheet.

Step 5: Bake & check
Bake for 20–25 minutes, until golden brown, crisp on the outside, and cooked through (internal temp should reach 70 °C/160 °F).

Step 6: Cool & serve
Let the balls rest 5 minutes on the sheet so they firm up nicely. Serve warm or at room temp.

Serving and Pairing Suggestions

There’s no wrong time for sausage balls—but here’s when they really shine and what makes them even better:

Breakfast Boost. Serve them alongside fluffy scrambled eggs, some sliced avocado, or even inside a warm biscuit for a quick sausage sandwich. Perfect for school mornings when we’re racing out the door.

Party Favorite. Stick toothpicks in them and set out a trio of dips—think ranch, honey mustard, and spicy sriracha mayo. They’re always the first thing gone at game nights and backyard gatherings.

Easy Appetizer. Add to a brunch board with fresh fruit, mini muffins, and jam. They balance sweet and savory beautifully.

Kid-Approved Snack. My two love them with ketchup or pizza sauce. I pack a few in their lunchboxes—cold or warm, they still get eaten (rare win!).

Top Tips for Perfecting

Freshly shredded cheese melts better than the bagged kind, so grab a block and get grating. When mixing, be gentle and quick—overmixing can make the balls dense.

Make sure your sausage is at room temperature to mix smoothly. Cold sausage can clump and make it harder to form even balls.

And don’t forget to check doneness with a thermometer—70 °C or 160 °F is your golden number. A little attention goes a long way in making these turn out just right.

Storing and Reheating Tips

Room Temp: Airtight container for up to 3 days
Refrigerator: Keeps fresh for 5 days; serve at room temp
Freezer: Flash-freeze on a baking sheet, then bag for up to 2 months
To Reheat:

• Microwave: 10–15 seconds
• Oven/air-fryer: 175 °C (350 °F) for 5–7 minutes to re-crisp

Recipe Variations

1. Cream Cheese Sausage Balls
Mix 115 g (4 oz) softened cream cheese into the sausage and baking mix. It adds creaminess and makes the texture melt-in-your-mouth tender.

2. Spicy Kick
Use hot sausage instead of mild, and fold in 1 small finely chopped jalapeño. You’ll get a noticeable but manageable heat that wakes up the flavor.

3. Pizza-Inspired Sausage Balls
Add ½ cup diced pepperoni and ¼ cup diced green bell peppers. Serve with warm marinara on the side. Tastes like cheesy pizza bites.

4. Breakfast Boost
Add 1 large egg and 2 tablespoons of evaporated milk to the mix. These bake up a little fluffier and stay moist longer—great for batch breakfasts.

5. Gluten-Free or Keto Friendly
Replace the biscuit mix with a blend of almond flour (1 ½ cups), baking powder (1 tsp), and a pinch of salt. They come out just as golden with fewer carbs.

Estimated Nutrition Info (per ball)

• Calories: ~150 kcal
• Protein: ~7 g
• Carbs: ~5 g
• Fat: ~12 g

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I use turkey or chicken sausage instead of pork?
Yes, absolutely. Just note that they’re usually leaner and milder in flavor, so you may want to add a bit more seasoning or a splash of olive oil to keep things juicy.

2. Do I need to cook the sausage before mixing?
Nope. The sausage cooks as the balls bake, which keeps them moist and flavorful. Pre-cooked sausage can lead to a drier texture.

3. How do I keep the sausage balls from being greasy?
Use leaner sausage and place the balls on a wire rack over a baking sheet. That allows excess fat to drip off while they cook.

4. Can I freeze the sausage balls before baking?
Yes! Roll them, freeze on a tray, then transfer to a freezer bag. Bake straight from frozen at 180 °C (350 °F) for about 30 minutes, or until golden and fully cooked.

5. Why are my sausage balls dry or crumbly?
They may be overbaked or the sausage-to-baking mix ratio was off. Try adding a splash of milk or a bit of cream cheese to moisten the mixture next time.

Conclusion

From our busy morning routines to cozy weekend brunches, sausage balls have found a permanent spot in my kitchen and my kids’ hearts. They’re quick, reliable, and feel like a hug in food form—warm, cheesy, and comforting. I love swapping add-ins depending on our mood or what’s in the fridge.

Give these a try, and let me know how your family reacts. Share with me in the comments! If you enjoyed this, pin it, comment your favorite twist, or follow along for more no-fuss, feel-good cooking you’ll actually make.