Description
Cheddar bay sausage balls bring zesty Southern comfort to party snacks with irresistible cheesy goodness. Packed with sharp cheddar and hearty sausage, these bite-sized morsels deliver bold flavor that keeps guests coming back for more.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound (450 grams) breakfast sausage (mild or spicy)
Cheese and Dry Ingredients:
- 2 cups (200 grams) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 ¼ cups (150 grams) Bisquick or another baking mix
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon Old Bay seasoning or another seafood seasoning (optional, for extra flavor)
Liquid Ingredients:
- ¼ cup (60 milliliters) whole milk
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 375°F and prepare a baking sheet with a protective non-stick surface covering.
- In a spacious mixing vessel, thoroughly combine ground sausage, shredded cheddar cheese, and baking mix until the ingredients form a cohesive, slightly sticky mixture.
- Gently incorporate minced garlic and dried herbs into the meat blend, ensuring even distribution of flavors throughout the mixture.
- Using clean hands or a small scoop, craft uniform bite-sized spheres, rolling each portion carefully to create smooth, compact rounds.
- Arrange the sausage spheres on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them slightly apart to allow for even heat circulation and consistent browning.
- Transfer the baking sheet to the preheated oven and allow the sausage balls to roast for approximately 20-25 minutes, rotating the pan midway through cooking.
- Monitor the sausage balls as they transform, watching for a golden-brown exterior and ensuring the internal temperature reaches a safe, fully cooked state.
- Once removed from the oven, let the sausage balls rest for a brief moment to stabilize their structure and cool slightly.
- Optional: Brush the warm sausage balls with melted butter and sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley for an enhanced aromatic finish.
- Serve immediately while the sausage balls are warm and at their most flavorful, accompanied by your preferred dipping sauce.
Notes
- Swap regular flour for gluten-free alternatives if you need a celiac-friendly version, ensuring the same delicious texture and taste.
- Use lean ground sausage to reduce overall fat content while maintaining the recipe’s rich, savory flavor profile.
- Grate fresh cheddar cheese instead of pre-shredded varieties for enhanced melting quality and more authentic cheese taste.
- Allow sausage balls to cool slightly after baking to help them firm up and make handling easier, preventing potential burning of fingers.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg