Sausage Balls
Warm, cheesy, savory, and incredibly easy to grab by the handful, Sausage Balls are one of those recipes that disappear quickly at almost every gathering.
They’re made from a simple mixture of breakfast sausage, shredded cheddar, baking mix, and cream cheese, rolled into bite-size balls, then baked until golden brown.
The outside develops lightly browned edges while the inside stays tender, cheesy, and full of sausage flavor.
They’re perfect for:
- Christmas morning
- Thanksgiving weekend
- Game day
- Holiday parties
- Brunch
- Potlucks
- Family breakfasts
- New Year’s gatherings
And unlike many appetizers, they taste good both hot and slightly warm, which makes them especially useful for entertaining.
Why You’ll Love These Sausage Balls
Only a few ingredients. You don’t need a complicated shopping list.
Easy to make ahead. Roll them in advance and refrigerate until baking.
Freezer-friendly. Freeze cooked or uncooked sausage balls.
Great for parties. They’re easy to serve without plates or utensils.
Cheesy and flavorful. Sharp cheddar and sausage provide plenty of flavor.
Perfect for breakfast or appetizers. They work equally well for both.
Easy to customize. Add jalapeños, ranch seasoning, bacon, Pepper Jack, or hot sausage.
Ingredients
Sausage Balls
- 1 pound raw breakfast sausage
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 2 cups all-purpose baking mix
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Optional Add-Ins
- 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 tablespoons chopped green onions
- 1 finely chopped jalapeño
For Serving
- Ranch dressing
- Honey mustard
- Maple syrup
- Spicy mayo
- Hot sauce
Best Sausage for Sausage Balls
Regular Breakfast Sausage
Classic breakfast sausage gives these the traditional flavor most people expect.
Hot Breakfast Sausage
Use hot sausage if you want a little more spice.
Sage Sausage
Sage-style breakfast sausage gives the bites an especially cozy holiday flavor.
Turkey or Chicken Sausage
These can work too, but use raw ground sausage intended for cooking rather than fully cooked links.
Because poultry sausage is generally leaner, the texture may be slightly different.
Why Add Cream Cheese?
Traditional sausage balls are sometimes made with only:
- Sausage
- Cheddar
- Baking mix
But cream cheese helps solve one of the biggest problems with sausage balls:
dryness.
A few ounces of softened cream cheese make the mixture easier to roll and help the finished sausage balls remain tender.
It also adds just enough creaminess without turning them into cheese-filled meatballs.
Best Cheese for Sausage Balls
Sharp Cheddar
This is my favorite.
Its strong flavor still comes through after baking.
Extra-Sharp Cheddar
Use this if you want maximum cheese flavor.
Monterey Jack
Creates a milder, softer filling.
Pepper Jack
Perfect for spicy sausage balls.
Colby Jack
A good family-friendly option with a mild flavor.
For best texture, shred cheese from a block when possible.
How to Make Sausage Balls
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to:
375°F
Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2: Soften the Cream Cheese
Let the cream cheese soften enough that it can easily mix into the sausage.
It shouldn’t be melted.
Step 3: Combine the Sausage and Cream Cheese
Place the raw breakfast sausage and cream cheese in a large mixing bowl.
Mix until evenly combined.
You can use:
- Clean hands
- Sturdy spoon
- Stand mixer with paddle attachment
A stand mixer is particularly convenient for large batches.
Step 4: Add the Cheese
Add:
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar
Mix until distributed throughout the sausage.
Step 5: Add Baking Mix and Seasonings
Add:
- Baking mix
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Black pepper
Mix just until everything comes together.
The mixture will be thick.
Step 6: Roll Into Balls
Scoop approximately:
1 tablespoon mixture
for each sausage ball.
Roll gently between your hands.
Aim for balls about:
1 to 1¼ inches
in diameter.
Keeping them similar in size helps them cook evenly.
Step 7: Arrange on the Baking Sheet
Place the sausage balls on the prepared baking sheet.
Leave a little space between each.
They won’t spread like cookies, but airflow helps them brown.
Step 8: Bake
Bake at 375°F for approximately 18–24 minutes, depending on size.
They should be:
- Golden outside
- Cooked through
- Lightly browned underneath
If your sausage contains pork or other ground red meat, USDA recommends cooking ground meat to 160°F. Raw poultry sausage should reach 165°F.
Step 9: Rest Briefly
Let the sausage balls rest for about:
5 minutes
before transferring them to a serving platter.
Step 10: Serve
Serve warm with dipping sauces.
The Secret to Tender Sausage Balls
Don’t Add Too Much Baking Mix
This is one of the most common reasons sausage balls become dry.
Start with the recommended amount.
If the mixture looks dry and crumbly, don’t automatically add more.
Use Cream Cheese
It adds moisture and helps bind everything together.
Don’t Overbake
Once they are fully cooked and lightly browned, remove them.
Use Freshly Shredded Cheese
Freshly grated cheddar melts more smoothly than many pre-shredded cheeses.
Keep Them Small
Large sausage balls take much longer to cook through and may brown too much on the outside.
Classic 3-Ingredient Sausage Balls
Want the simplest possible version?
Use:
- 1 pound breakfast sausage
- 2 cups cheddar cheese
- 2 cups baking mix
Mix, roll, and bake.
The cream-cheese version is softer and richer, but the 3-ingredient version is the classic shortcut.
Cream Cheese Sausage Balls
For extra-soft sausage balls, increase cream cheese to:
8 ounces
You may need a little additional baking mix to compensate for the moisture.
This variation is especially good when reheating because it stays tender.
Sausage Balls With Ranch
Add:
1 tablespoon ranch seasoning
to the mixture.
Pair ranch with:
- Cheddar
- Bacon
- Green onions
Serve with ranch dressing for dipping.
Spicy Sausage Balls
Use hot breakfast sausage.
Add:
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne
- Chopped jalapeño
- Pepper Jack cheese
Serve with spicy ranch or chipotle mayo.
Jalapeño Cheddar Sausage Balls
Add:
- 1 finely diced jalapeño
- 1½ cups cheddar
- ½ cup Pepper Jack
For less heat, remove the jalapeño seeds.
Bacon Cheddar Sausage Balls
Add:
½ cup finely crumbled cooked bacon
to the sausage mixture.
Bacon makes the sausage balls extra savory and is especially good for game day.
Garlic Parmesan Sausage Balls
Replace part of the cheddar with:
½ cup grated Parmesan
Increase garlic powder slightly.
Serve with marinara for dipping.
Maple Sausage Balls
For a breakfast-inspired variation, add:
1–2 tablespoons maple syrup
to the mixture.
Serve with warm maple syrup for dipping.
Sweet maple works especially well with sage sausage.
Sausage Balls With Pepper Jack
Replace half or all of the cheddar with Pepper Jack.
Add:
- Jalapeño
- Cayenne
- Hot sauce
for extra heat.
Sausage Balls Without Baking Mix
If you don’t have prepared baking mix, you can make a simple substitute.
Combine approximately:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons cold butter, cut in
Work the butter into the dry ingredients until crumbly.
Then use it as your baking-mix base.
Gluten-Free Sausage Balls
Use a gluten-free all-purpose baking mix.
Check the sausage and seasonings as well if strict gluten avoidance is necessary.
The rest of the preparation remains essentially the same.
Low-Carb Sausage Balls
For a lower-carb version, replace traditional baking mix with an appropriate low-carb baking mixture or almond-flour-based combination.
Because almond flour behaves differently from wheat flour, you may need less than the standard amount.
Cheese and egg can also help bind the mixture.
Sausage Balls With Biscuits and Gravy Flavor
For a breakfast-inspired variation, add:
- Extra black pepper
- Sage
- Garlic powder
Serve with warm country-style gravy for dipping.
It’s essentially biscuits-and-gravy flavor in bite-size form.
Christmas Sausage Balls
Sausage balls are especially useful on Christmas morning because they can be assembled ahead.
Prepare them the night before.
Refrigerate.
Then bake while everyone is getting ready in the morning.
Serve alongside:
- Eggs
- Cinnamon rolls
- Fruit
- Coffee
Thanksgiving Sausage Balls
They’re also great for Thanksgiving morning or as a pre-dinner appetizer.
Because they’re small, guests can snack without filling up on a large appetizer.
Serve them with honey mustard or ranch.
Game-Day Sausage Balls
For game day, make a double batch.
Serve with several sauces:
- Ranch
- Honey mustard
- Spicy mayo
- Barbecue sauce
Keep toothpicks nearby for easy serving.
Sausage Balls for Brunch
Serve them alongside:
- Scrambled eggs
- Hash browns
- Biscuits
- Fresh fruit
- Pancakes
Add maple syrup as a dipping sauce for a breakfast-style platter.
Best Dipping Sauces
Ranch
Creamy and easy.
Honey Mustard
Sweet and tangy.
Maple Syrup
Excellent when serving sausage balls for breakfast.
Barbecue Sauce
Good for parties and game day.
Spicy Mayo
Mix mayonnaise with:
- Hot sauce
- Lime juice
Country Gravy
A fun brunch option.
What to Serve With Sausage Balls
For breakfast or brunch:
Scrambled eggs
Hash browns
Biscuits
Fruit salad
Pancakes
For an appetizer spread:
Cheese board
Vegetable tray
Sliders
Chicken wings
Dips
Crackers
Make-Ahead Sausage Balls
You can assemble them ahead.
Mix and roll the sausage balls.
Arrange them on a covered tray.
Refrigerate overnight.
Bake the following morning.
This makes them particularly convenient for Christmas breakfast.
Can You Freeze Uncooked Sausage Balls?
Yes.
Arrange the rolled sausage balls on a baking sheet.
Freeze until firm.
Transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container.
When ready to cook, bake from frozen, allowing additional cooking time.
Always verify the center reaches a safe temperature rather than relying only on time.
Can You Freeze Cooked Sausage Balls?
Yes.
Cool them completely.
Freeze in a single layer.
Transfer to a freezer container once firm.
Reheat in:
- Oven
- Air fryer
- Microwave
The oven and air fryer restore the exterior texture better.
How to Reheat Sausage Balls
Oven
Heat at approximately:
350°F
until hot throughout.
Air Fryer
Heat for a few minutes at moderate temperature.
Check frequently to prevent drying.
Microwave
Microwave in short intervals.
This is convenient, although the exterior will be softer.
How to Store Sausage Balls
Because they contain cooked sausage and cheese, refrigerate leftovers promptly.
USDA says cooked sausage can generally be refrigerated for 3–4 days at 40°F or below.
More generally, perishable leftovers should be refrigerated within 2 hours, or within 1 hour when temperatures are above 90°F.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are my sausage balls dry?
Too much baking mix or overbaking are the most common causes.
Why are my sausage balls falling apart?
The mixture may need more moisture or may not have been mixed thoroughly enough.
A little softened cream cheese helps.
Can I use hot sausage?
Absolutely.
Can I use turkey sausage?
Yes. If using raw poultry sausage, cook it to 165°F.
What temperature should pork sausage reach?
Raw ground pork sausage should reach 160°F.
Can I make them ahead?
Yes. Refrigerate the shaped balls overnight and bake the next day.
Can I freeze them?
Yes, either before or after baking.
Can I add cream cheese?
Yes. It helps create softer, moister sausage balls.
Can I use Pepper Jack?
Absolutely.
Can I make them spicy?
Use hot sausage, jalapeños, cayenne, or Pepper Jack.
Can I make them without baking mix?
Yes. Use a homemade flour-and-baking-powder substitute.
Easy Sausage Balls Recipe
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 18–24 minutes
Servings: About 28–32 sausage balls
Ingredients
- 1 pound raw breakfast sausage
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar
- 2 cups all-purpose baking mix
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Line a large baking sheet with parchment.
- Add raw sausage and softened cream cheese to a bowl.
- Mix until combined.
- Add shredded cheddar.
- Add baking mix.
- Add garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper.
- Mix until evenly combined.
- Scoop approximately 1 tablespoon per sausage ball.
- Roll into 1- to 1¼-inch balls.
- Arrange on the baking sheet.
- Bake for 18–24 minutes.
- Check that the centers are fully cooked; pork or other ground red-meat sausage should reach 160°F, while poultry sausage should reach 165°F.
- Rest for 5 minutes.
- Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce.
Delicious Variations
Cream Cheese Sausage Balls: Increase the cream cheese for an extra-tender center.
Ranch Sausage Balls: Add ranch seasoning.
Jalapeño Cheddar Sausage Balls: Add jalapeño and sharp cheddar.
Bacon Ranch Sausage Balls: Add crumbled bacon and ranch.
Spicy Pepper Jack Sausage Balls: Use hot sausage and Pepper Jack.
Maple Breakfast Sausage Balls: Add maple syrup and serve with more for dipping.
Garlic Parmesan Sausage Balls: Add Parmesan and extra garlic.
Final Thoughts
Sausage Balls are one of the easiest recipes to keep in your holiday and party-food rotation.
Savory breakfast sausage, sharp cheddar, cream cheese, and baking mix come together in small golden bites that work for breakfast, brunch, game day, Christmas morning, or appetizers.
For the best result, remember the key rules: don’t overload the mixture with baking mix, use freshly shredded cheese, keep the balls relatively small, and avoid overbaking them.
