Sausage Cheese Balls (without bisquick)
One of my favorite appetizers growing up were sausage cheese balls! My grandmother only made them around Christmas time for some reason but that just made them even more special. I thought it was because they were hard to make, so you can imagine my surprise when I asked her for the recipe a few years ago. Super easy!!
Normally sausage cheese balls are made with Bisquick, but I never have the stuff on hand so I make them from scratch. They turn out amazing and I actually prefer them this way now. Sorry Bisquick.
These sausage cheese balls are moist, tender, meaty and cheesy! Like eating a mini sausage biscuit (or so my son says).
The texture of these sausage cheese balls are perfect! I can’t even tell you how many dry, overly bready sausage cheese balls I’ve had in the past. There MUST be a balance. Not that I’m some kinda sausage cheese ball expert or anything…just saying. I know what I like. And I like balance.
You can eat these sausage cheese balls plain which is how I like them or you can serve then with a dip. This may sound gross but I like them with a grape jelly dip. Trust me, it works!! You could also serve them with honey mustard dip or a chili sauce dip or if you’re down south like me, try a good ol comeback sauce.
Be sure to choose a sausage that is highly seasoned (most of them are) but if not, you”ll have a pretty bland tasting sausage cheese ball on your hands. It may be wise to bake a couple test sausage balls just incase you need to add in extra spices like onion powder, garlic powder, etc. I use Brims turkey sausage and Earth Fare premium cheddar cheese. The sausage is full of spices and makes a great sausage cheese ball.
Watch me make these sausage cheese balls from start to finish!!
Get the Recipe: Sausage Balls
Ingredients
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons butter-flavored shortening
- 16 oz ground turkey sausage, room temperature
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
- melted butter & parselyy for garnishing, if desired
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350.
- Line a baking sheet with greased parchment paper or a spilpat mat. Set aside.
- In a large bowl combine flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Cut in shortening until crumbly.
- Add in ground sausage.
- Use your hands to mix everything in until all of the flour mixture is incorporated into the sausage.
- Add in the cream cheese and work it evenly into the mixture.
- Add in the grated cheese and work it evenly into the mixture.
- Use a mini ice cream scoop to scoop out the mixture into even-sized balls.
- Place on a prepared baking pan.
- Bake for 30 minutes or until bottoms are golden brown.
- Brush with butter and sprinkle with parsley, if desired.
- Serve plain or with a jelly, mustard or bbq dip.
I have made sausage balls for years with Bisquick. I am so thankful I came across your recipe! As others have commented, these are so moist and delicious. I add garlic powder and Tony Chachere’s seasoning as I am mixing the ingredients.
I’ve made these twice now and thought I would post a compliment. I’ve made sausage balls with Bisquick since 1975. A few weeks ago I was out of Bisquick and found your recipe. I was concerned my husband wouldn’t like them as much as the originals, but he said they were better! I made them again yesterday for Super Bowl – again, much better than the original. I use regular sausage and whatever cheese I have on hand to shred. Thank you for sharing your recipe!
Hi, can you make the mix the day before and refrigerate overnight?
Better than any Ive ever tasted or made before…
the only thing i did different is I did not have butter flavored shortening so I used butter and crisco together to make the 2 tblspoons but I should say I may have added a little more butter. either way my husband was completley impressed didnt know when he had ever had any this good. I will use this recipe every time from now on.
So I remembered these from living in north carolina so I made your recipie yesterday except I used mild pork sausage and 8 oz of cream cheese my boyfriend and I both love them they came out perfect but in searching for recipes yesterday everyone only mentioned some savory sauce to dip them in so I tried a few sweet things i tried just maple syrup yumm then apple butter again yumm but then I made my famous fruit dip and just changed it a bit normally my fruit dip is equal parts sour cream and equal parts granulated sugar and a spash of vanilla but instead i used sour cream and half the sugar and added maple syrup until it was kinda thin and dipped the sausage balls in those and omg heavenly also thinking about putting them in my spaghetti as meatballs and spaghetti is always better with the flavor of sausage not just ground beef I think it will work we shall see
Mmm, looking forward to giving these a try! I too, never have Bisquick on hand but I looove sausage balls. And I like the addition of cream cheese in there. I have a feeling that makes it even better! 🙂
Omg the best ever!!! I hate the bisquick ones they are too dry!! I doubled this and having to make another batch right now!!! Kids and husband all say “these are EPIC”!!!!!
I’ve made honey rolls, brownies, banana bread n 7up pound cake. They were all winners! Really love you’re site????. Keep them recipes comin’. You’re number One fan! Gonna make this tonight
Just made some of these! Having some warm from the oven with a cup of coffee right now! These were always a Christmas treat in our household growing up, but I woke up thinking about making some. I’ve always used the Bisquick method, but this will now be my go to recipe. Grape jelly warmed with just a touch of maple syrup is a great dipping sauce too!
I made sausage cheese balls several times last year around the holidays and I started experimenting with different ways to do them. I ran across your recipe and I like how you did yours so the next time I make some I will use your recipe 🙂 Thanks
ps. I went ahead and rated your recipe 5*s because I know they are going to be exceptionally good. Oh I never thought of the grape jelly sauce as a dip, hummm, I’ll try that too.
Take care
I think she is saying bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes not 30 minutes. Thirty minutes is way too long. I just baked them and 15-16 minutes was about right.
“2 cups cheddar cheese”….NOW we’re talking! lol I’ve come across some recipes calling for 4oz cheese and thought “somebody doesn’t really like sausage balls…” Think I’ll give this recipe a try!
Will make today and come back and rate. Mahalo for the recipe!
These will make a perfect freezer snack for the kids. We are constantly on the run so I am looking for recipes that allows me to stockpile our meals. Sidebar: Why don’t you have any homemade waffle recipes on here?
Made these for Super Bowl and had enough to freeze some. Everyone loved them and after the first frozen batch was gone, I keep getting asked – do you have any more hidden? No, I don’t but will be sure and make some in the future!
This looks perfect for our Super Bowl party. Going to try it out first on some friends at our Open Mic party tomorrow night. Glad I fell upon your site.