Whether you’re prepping for game day, a holiday spread, or a quick weekday appetizer, Sausage Balls are the ultimate crowd-pleaser. Crispy on the outside, tender and cheesy on the inside—they’re easy to make and impossible to resist.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Only 6 Ingredients: Minimal ingredients, big flavor
- Quick Prep: From bowl to oven in 15 minutes
- Perfect for Parties: Bite-sized and shareable
- Make Ahead Friendly: Prep now, bake later
- Versatile: Customize with herbs, cheese, or spice blends
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground sausage (mild or spicy)
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 2 cups biscuit baking mix (like Bisquick)
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Optional: Fresh herbs or green onions for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ground sausage and shredded cheese.
- Add the biscuit mix and mix until combined.
- Pour in milk and continue mixing until a soft dough forms.
- Add garlic powder, onion powder, and pepper. Mix thoroughly.
- Use your hands or a cookie scoop to form 1-inch balls.
- Place them evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 20–22 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Let cool slightly, then garnish if desired. Serve warm.
Recipe Details
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Servings: 24 sausage balls
- Total Time: 35 minutes
Nutrition Facts (Per Ball – Approximate)
- Calories: 100
- Protein: 5g
- Fat: 8g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 0g
Tips & Variations
- Add Heat: Use hot sausage or add a dash of cayenne pepper
- Cheese Options: Swap cheddar for pepper jack, Colby, or gouda
- Gluten-Free Option: Use a gluten-free biscuit mix
- Herbs & Extras: Mix in chopped parsley, green onions, or chives
- Uniform Size: Use a small cookie scoop for even cooking
FAQs
Can I make sausage balls ahead of time?
Yes! Prepare the dough and refrigerate overnight, then bake fresh.
Can I freeze sausage balls?
Definitely. Freeze unbaked on a tray, then transfer to a bag. Bake from frozen, adding 3–5 minutes to cook time.
Can I use plant-based sausage?
Yes—vegan sausage works well, but check that the cheese and mix are dairy-free if needed.
Why are my sausage balls dry?
Too little milk or overbaking can dry them out. Stick to ¼ cup milk and check doneness at 18 minutes.
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 e.g. Bisquick
- – ¼ cup milk
- – 1 tsp garlic powder
- – 1 tsp onion powder
- – ½ tsp black pepper
- – Optional: chopped herbs or green onions
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, mix sausage and cheese.
- Add biscuit mix and stir to combine.
- Pour in milk and mix until dough forms.
- Stir in garlic powder, onion powder, and pepper.
- Shape into 1-inch balls using hands or a cookie scoop.
- Place on baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes, until golden brown.
- Let cool slightly before serving. Garnish as desired.
Notes
– Freeze raw and bake as needed
– Great with honey mustard or BBQ dip
Conclusion
Sausage Balls are a low-effort, high-reward recipe that belongs in every home cook’s repertoire. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or looking for a make-ahead freezer snack, this recipe delivers cheesy, savory goodness in every bite. Plus, it’s endlessly customizable—so get creative!