If you’re looking for the perfect make-ahead appetizer that disappears in minutes, these Easy Sausage Balls are always a winning choice. Made with just three simple ingredients, they’re cheesy, savory, incredibly tender, and packed with flavor in every bite.
Whether you’re serving them for Christmas morning breakfast, holiday brunch, football parties, baby showers, or as an easy snack, this classic Southern sausage ball recipe never disappoints. They’re freezer-friendly, easy to customize, and ready in under 30 minutes.
Once you make these homemade sausage balls from scratch, they’ll become one of your favorite go-to recipes.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Only 3 simple ingredients
- Ready in about 30 minutes
- Perfect make-ahead appetizer
- Great for breakfast or brunch
- Freezer friendly
- Kid approved
- Easy to customize with different cheeses and seasonings
- Perfect for holiday entertaining
Ingredients
- 1 pound breakfast sausage (hot or mild)
- 2 cups Bisquick baking mix
- 2 cups freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Optional Add-Ins
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
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How to Make Easy Sausage Balls
Step 1
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2
In a large mixing bowl, combine the breakfast sausage, Bisquick, and shredded cheddar cheese.
Step 3
Use clean hands or a sturdy spoon to mix everything together until completely combined.
Step 4
Roll the mixture into 1-inch balls and place them about an inch apart on the prepared baking sheet.
Step 5
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through with an internal temperature of 160°F.
Step 6
Let cool for about 5 minutes before serving.
Tips for the Best Sausage Balls
- Freshly shred your own cheese for the best texture.
- Don’t overmix the dough.
- Use room temperature sausage for easier mixing.
- A cookie scoop helps create evenly sized sausage balls.
- Avoid overbaking so they stay tender and moist.
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Simple 3 Ingredient Sausage Balls
These Easy Sausage Balls are made with just 3 simple ingredients and bake up golden brown, cheesy, and perfectly tender every time. They’re the ultimate make-ahead appetizer for Christmas, brunch, game day, holiday parties, and potlucks. Serve them with your favorite dipping sauces for an easy crowd-pleasing recipe everyone will love.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 30 Sausage Balls 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 pound pork breakfast sausage (mild or hot), room temperature
- 2 cups Bisquick baking mix
- 2 cups freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Optional
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine the breakfast sausage, Bisquick, and shredded cheddar cheese until evenly mixed. Use your hands for the easiest mixing.
- Roll into approximately 1-inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet about 1 inch apart.
- Bake for 20–22 minutes, or until the sausage is fully cooked and the tops are lightly golden.
- Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.
- Garnish with chopped fresh chives and serve with ranch, honey mustard, spicy mustard, or your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
- Freshly shredded cheese melts much better than pre-shredded.
- Let the sausage come to room temperature before mixing.
- Don’t overbake or the sausage balls can become dry.
- A small cookie scoop helps make evenly sized sausage balls.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Variations
Spicy Sausage Balls
Use hot breakfast sausage and add cayenne or diced jalapeños.
Cream Cheese Sausage Balls
Mix in 8 ounces of softened cream cheese for extra creamy sausage balls.
Pepper Jack
Replace cheddar with Pepper Jack cheese for extra spice.
Parmesan Blend
Mix cheddar with freshly grated Parmesan for even more flavor.
Gluten-Free
Use your favorite gluten-free baking mix instead of Bisquick.
What to Serve With Sausage Balls
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freezing
Freeze baked or unbaked sausage balls for up to 3 months.
Bake frozen sausage balls directly from the freezer, adding 5-8 extra minutes to the baking time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are they dry?
Dry sausage balls usually happen from using too much baking mix or overbaking. Freshly shredded cheese also helps keep them moist.
Can I make them ahead of time?
Yes. Assemble them up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate until ready to bake.
Can I freeze them?
Absolutely. They freeze beautifully either before or after baking.
What sausage works best?
Regular pork breakfast sausage gives the best flavor, but hot sausage, maple sausage, turkey sausage, or chicken sausage all work well.
Do I have to use Bisquick?
No. You can substitute another baking mix or make a homemade version using flour, baking powder, salt, and butter.
Pro Tips
- Freshly grated cheese melts better.
- Wear disposable gloves when mixing.
- Slightly wet hands make rolling easier.
- Don’t crowd the baking sheet.
- Bake until just golden for the most tender texture.
Make It Your Own
- Add diced jalapeños for heat.
- Mix in cream cheese for extra richness.
- Swap cheddar for Colby Jack, Pepper Jack, or smoked Gouda.
- Brush with melted garlic butter after baking.
- Sprinkle with chopped parsley before serving.
Final Thoughts
These Easy Sausage Balls are one of those timeless recipes everyone should have in their collection. They’re simple enough for busy weekday breakfasts, elegant enough for holiday brunches, and always the first appetizer to disappear at parties. With only three ingredients and minimal prep, you’ll find yourself making them again and again.
