Pizza Balls Are the Must-Make Appetizer of Fall—Here’s Why

The real MVP of a tailgate is the person who decides to call in a pizza delivery. Don’t get us wrong, dips and spreads are the bread and butter of a tailgate party. But a hot and cheesy pizza? That’s on another level entirely.

Now, what if we told you you can be the person who brings pizza to the party, but in a new, delicious format that’s way more sharable, snackable, and, all-around, fun?

We're talking about Pizza Balls. This recipe has been gaining more attention than ever this year (securing a spot in our top 10 Pinterest recipes of all time), and this fall, we’re dubbing it a must-make. According to reviewers, it’ll be the “first thing to go” at your football watch party.

It’s the textbook definition of a crowd-pleasing party app: meaty, cheesy, and easy. Like a tasty adaptation of classic sausage balls with even more flavor. It’s an easy thing for guests to grab as they bounce from TV to TV. It’s something you can prepare last minute, but appears as if you've thought ahead. And above all, it’s guaranteed to be adored by almost any audience.

“I made these for a church get-together and they were a hit!” said one Allrecipes member. “Very easy to make and very good.”

Not a single pizza flavor was missed in this recipe—you’ve got the Italian sausage, the mozzarella, the green peppers and onions, heck, even the pizza sauce. It’s like popping an entire slice of pizza in your mouth in just one bite.

Make them for tailgates, of course, but also fall parties, game nights, Friendsgivings, and any other excuse you can come up with this season. Best of all, you don’t need a headcount of how many people will be in attendance—these pizza balls will disappear no matter what. According to Allrecipes’ recipe pro Nicole McLaughlin, “I’ve never been to a party that had them on the menu with any leftover.”

How to Make Pizza Balls

This recipe starts with baking mix, the all-in-one tool that gives these pizza balls both a chewy and crispy texture.

Additionally, you’ll need ground Italian sausage (spicy or mild), shredded mozzarella, bell peppers, onions, pizza sauce, and a couple of seasonings.

“You can also easily customize this for that supreme pizza flair by adding pepperoni or olives,” our McLaughlin suggests.

Toss all the ingredients go in one bowl—then, roll up your sleeves. All of the work can be done with your hands, but a tablespoon or ice cream scoop is useful for even portioning. You can spoon each ball directly onto a baking sheet, or roll them in your hands to give them a rounder shape.

“If the mixture gets a little sticky during rolling, a trick I use is to wet your hands in between with water and they won’t stick,” says McLaughlin.

Bake at 375 degrees F for about 25 minutes (as you’re getting into your gameday gear), and you’re ready to roll. We recommend serving with marinara sauce or ranch to really bring the pizza concept home.

Get the Recipe: Pizza Balls