Classic Southern Sausage Balls are a simple, make-ahead appetizer made with sausage, cheese, and a few pantry ingredients. This easy version comes together in minutes and bakes up soft and cheesy with a lightly crisp exterior. They’re ideal for parties, holidays, or breakfast because they reheat well and can be prepared ahead of time without losing flavor or texture. While most recipes call for Bisquick, I have modified this recipe so there's no need to buy it. This is perfect for a no stress New Years Eve appetizer.
These sausage balls can be mixed, shaped, and baked with flexibility in mind, making them ideal for busy days and full schedules. They reheat beautifully and taste just as good warm from the oven as they do later. The apricot dipping sauce is the perfect finish.
Here are a few other recipes that are easy to make for the holidays: Puff Pastry Crackers, Hot Curried Party Mix, Cheddar Pecan Shortbreads, and the Hot Peppered Pecans.
Jump to:
Baking gets better when you subscribe to receive this PDF on getting the most out of baking including information on equipment, ingredients and baking equipment.
Why You and your guests will love this
- It's super easy.
- The few ingredients are easy to find.
- If it's tasty your after, this is it.
- The sausage balls can be made ahead and reheated or frozen and baked.
- New Year's Eve is coming up and you haven't figured out what to serve yet.
Recipe Ingredients
FRONT ROW: Salt, milk, baking powder
MIDDLE ROW: Sharp cheddar cheese
BACK ROW: All-Purpose Flour, sausage
Apricot Dipping Sauce
FRONT ROW: Dijon mustard, red wine vinegar
BACK ROW: Apricot Jam
Key Ingredients
- The sausage can be mild, medium or hot depending upon your taste.
- Cheddar cheese is the most used cheese but others can be substituted if desired.
- The flour, salt and baking powder are the key ingredients in Bisquick so they are used instead.
- Milk add moisture to the sausage balls.
- Red wine vinegar is used to sharpen the dipping sauce. White wine vinegar may be substituted.
Be sure to see the recipe carf below for the full ingredients and instructions.
Step by Step Instructions
Step 1. Combine the flour, salt and baking powder in the bowl of a mixer. Mix briefly to combine. Break up the sausage over the dry ingredients. Step 2. Mix the ingredients on low to start, then on medium until it comes together. Step 3. Add the shredded cheese. Step 4. Mix on medium until it is completely blended.
Step 5. Roll walnut size pieces of the mixture into smooth balls. Double pan bake as called for. Step 6. Add the apricot jam or preserved to the food processor. Add the dijon and red wine vinegar and process to until smooth, scraping down as necessary. Step 8. The baked balls are cooling on a rack.
Recipe FAQ'S
Bisquick was the original binder for sausage balls. It helps hold the sausage and cheese together to form the balls.
1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder and ½ teaspoon salt makes about a cup and replaces the Bisquick called for in sausage balls.
Sweet and sour sauces are especially good - think honey, maple syrup, jams or preserves, anything with mustard or something with a hot sauce like sriracha in it.
Freezer and Storage Instructions
These balls can be baked and frozen or frozen unbaked. If baked and frozen, place them on a baking sheet and put them in a 350°F oven to thaw and heat them.
If baking when they are unbaked, just add a few minutes to the time given to bake them.
They should always be served warm to hot.
More delectable savory dishes to consider
A lot of work goes into each of my recipes and my only ask is that if you like the recipe or even the looks of it, please leave me a star rating to help me rank better. It’s important and I appreciate it and I appreciate you.
Easy Cheesy Sausage Balls Recipe
Ingredients
Sausage Balls
- 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour (105 grams)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ pound sausage
- 3 tablespoons milk, whole or 2%
Apricot Dipping Sauce
- ¾ cup apricot preserves or jam
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
- 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
Instructions
Sausage Balls
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a sheet pan with parchment and set aside.
- Shred the cheese and set aside.
- Place the flour, baking powder and salt in the bowl of a mixer. Mix briefly to combine.
- Tear the sausage into pieces and add to the dry mxi. Beat on low, then raise to medium to combine.
- Add the cheese and mix completely.
- Add the milk and mix until all is blended.
- Tear off walnut size pieces and roll them into smooth balls. Place them on a sheet pan about an inch apart.
- Double pan and bake for 20 to 25 minutes until golden brown and baked through. Drain on paper towels and place in a serving dish with apricot dip .
- These balls can be baked and frozen or frozen unbaked. If baked and frozen, place them on a baking sheet and put them in a 350°F oven to thaw and heat them.If baking when they are unbaked, just add a few minutes to the time given to bake them. They should always be served warm to hot.
- This makes about 30 sausage balls. They can be made smaller for one bite sausage balls. Be sure to reduce the time somewhat.
Notes
Nutrition
Judy Imanse says
Sorry, I think I forgot to rate this recipe. I hope you got my message! Judy
Helen S Fletcher says
Hi Judy - I felt the same way about the Bisquick. This works just as well. I did get the message and thank you for the star rating. Happy New Year to you and yours.
Judy Imanse says
I am so excited to find a recipe that does not use Bisquick! I used to buy it to make sausage balls, and then find the Bisquick had passed it's expiration date, and ended up tossing it out! Pretty wasteful! I am going to make these for New Years Eve. I like the idea that your sausage balls are soft. I have had some in the past that I felt were too compressed!Thanks a bunch for a great recipe! Judy