Cream Cheese Sausage Balls are a crowd-pleasing appetizer or snack that’s perfect for parties, holiday gatherings, or any occasion where you need something savory and indulgent. The combination of sausage, cream cheese, and cheddar cheese creates a flavorful, moist, and cheesy bite-sized treat. Here’s an easy recipe for Cream Cheese Sausage Balls:
Cream Cheese Sausage Balls Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground sausage (use your preferred type—mild or spicy)
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder (optional, for added flavor)
- 1/2 tsp onion powder (optional, for added flavor)
- 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions:
1. Preheat the oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
2. Mix the ingredients:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground sausage, softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, flour, baking powder, garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
- Use your hands or a spoon to mix everything together until fully incorporated. The mixture will be a little sticky, but that’s perfectly fine!
3. Form the sausage balls:
- Using your hands, scoop out about 1-inch portions of the sausage mixture and roll them into balls. You should get about 20-25 balls, depending on the size.
- Place the sausage balls onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
4. Bake:
- Bake the sausage balls in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until they’re golden brown and cooked through. You can check if they’re done by cutting one open to ensure it’s no longer pink in the center.
5. Serve:
- Remove the sausage balls from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes before serving.
- Serve warm as an appetizer or snack. You can even pair them with a dipping sauce, like ranch, honey mustard, or spicy ketchup, if you like.
Tips for Perfect Sausage Balls:
- Use full-fat cream cheese for the creamiest and richest texture.
- Spice it up: If you want a little more kick, use hot sausage or add some cayenne pepper or extra red pepper flakes to the mixture.
- Cheese options: You can experiment with different types of cheese, like mozzarella or pepper jack, for a fun twist.
- Freezing: You can make these sausage balls ahead of time! After forming them into balls, freeze them on the baking sheet for 30 minutes. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer bag or airtight container. When ready to bake, just place them on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 25-30 minutes from frozen.
These Cream Cheese Sausage Balls are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or as a savory snack for any occasion. They’re rich, cheesy, and packed with flavor—always a hit!
Are you planning to serve them at a party, or just as a tasty treat for yourself? Let me know if you want more ideas or tips!
