13 Sausage Ball Recipes for Even Happier Holidays

It's time to be honest: the best part of a holiday feast isn't the main course, comforting casserole sides, or even the dessert — it's the massive tray of sausage balls sitting on the kitchen counter. These savory bites are a staple of holiday gatherings, holding us over until the big meal can commence. Scroll through our collection of top-notch sausage ball recipes, and try one out for your next gathering: We guarantee that every single one will get gobbled up.

01 of 14

Carla's Sausage Cheese Balls

Carla's Sausage Cheese Balls
Happyschmoopies

Meaty, cheesy, and delicious, these sausage cheese balls are so simple to make even the kids can get involved. The mixture of mild and hot pork sausage, cheese, and Bisquick is downright delectable. For easier removal once baked, coat the foil down with cooking spray.

02 of 14

Scrumptious Sauerkraut Balls

Scrumptious Sauerkraut Balls
Christopher Anderson

Sauerkraut, mustard, and dried herbs provide a German-style twist that's even better combined with cream cheese and deep fried. If you don't have a deep fryer, you can also bake them at 350 degrees F for 20 minutes. These freeze well, so make a big batch ahead of time and reheat right before the party begins.

03 of 14

Easy Sausage Cheese Balls

Easy Sausage Cheese Balls
mpsmith

These sausage cheese balls are, as community member FYRERAVEN puts it, "true southern goodness:" slightly dry on the outside, with oozing, crispy cheese. To cut down on the grease, pre-cook the sausage and discard any grease you don't want before mixing in the baking mix and cheese.

04 of 14

Bisquick® Sausage Balls

Bisquick Sausage Balls
Bob

Put that box of Bisquick in your pantry to good use and make a batch of these easy and delicious sausage balls. This recipe yields a large batch, so you can either cut it in half or give extra sausage balls to a neighbor or friend.

05 of 14

Boudin Balls

Boudin Balls on a white plate
Chef John

Crispy on the outside and moist and savory on the inside, Chef John's take on this classic tailgating appetizer will even impress Cajuns. These are a lot of work, but they're well worth the effort, and keep extremely well in the freezer.

06 of 14

Sausage Balls without Bisquick®

Easy Sausage Cheese Balls
Cara-Greg Gardner

If you're looking for a slightly different take on sausage balls, this version made with cornbread stuffing mix and green onion is just distinct enough to stand out without straying too far from what people know and love. Without Bisquick, these take on a lighter texture and are less filling, but that just means you can eat more.

07 of 14

Sausage Cheese Balls

Sausage Cheese Balls
Paula

These easy sausage cheese balls come together right in the oven, no frying required. If you'd like to cut the amount of grease, cook them on a rack sprayed with non-stick spray over a 9x13 or larger pan. When they're done, use a fork to lift them off the rack.

08 of 14

One Two Three Sausage Balls

One Two Three Sausage Balls
Elaine Harper

"My husbsand saw this recipe about a year ago and it's the only one we will use now," says community member FUDELUVR. "Instead of making one batch we always have to make several because they are the first things to be devoured at every party! We use sage sausage...it adds a little kick to them!"

09 of 14

Spicy Sausage Balls Without Bisquick®

sausage balls with cheese served with toothpicks
Allrecipes

These sausage balls are spicy and delicious, and they come with an unexpected bonus for people on special diets: they're both keto-friendly and gluten-free. A combination of almond flour, coconut flour, and baking powder helps them stick together without having to rely on a wheat-based baking mix.

10 of 14

Best Breakfast Sausage Balls Ever

Best Breakfast Sausage Balls Ever
Tonya Cook

These sausage balls get tons of moisture and flavor from an unexpected ingredient that's probably in your pantry right now: evaporated milk. If you don't have a stand mixer or electric mixer, you can combine the ingredients in a blender — just don't fill up the bowl more than halfway.

11 of 14

Cream Cheese Sausage Balls

Cream Cheese Sausage Balls
My Hot Southern Mess

If you find sausage balls too dry, you'll want to try this take that uses cream cheese, which adds the moisture you've been missing. They'll still have that perfect crunch on the outside, but with a more tender and delightfully smooth interior.

12 of 14

Sausage Balls

Sausage Balls
C.P.

With this recipe, you're 3 ingredients and 35 minutes away from a guaranteed crowd-pleasing appetizer. Don't cook the sausage in advance; otherwise, there won't be enough grease to bind the sausage, baking mix, and cheese together.

13 of 14

Spicy Cranberry Sausage Balls

Spicy Cranberry Sausage Balls
Bibi

Italian sausage, dried cranberries, and a good variety of seasonings give these sausage balls a sweet and spicy kick. If you only pair your cranberries with turkey, give cranberries and sausage a chance: the tart and sweet notes will complement the meat's savory flavor.

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