Sausage Balls: Easy 3-Ingredient Southern Christmas Appetizer

Sausage balls are a Southern Christmas tradition. Every family has a version, and they show up on Christmas morning, at holiday open houses, and at every New Year’s party. They are savory, cheesy, a little crispy on the outside, and so easy to make.

The classic recipe is just three ingredients: sausage, cheddar, and biscuit mix. I add a few spoonfuls of cream cheese, which keeps them soft and moist instead of dry and crumbly, plus a little garlic powder and smoked paprika for flavor.

They freeze beautifully, so make a big batch now. Serve them with pigs in a blanket, sausage pinwheels, or a cranberry pecan cheese ball.

JUMP TO

• Why You’ll Love This Sausage Balls
• What Is Sausage Balls?
• Ingredients
• Kitchen Equipment
• Ingredient Tips
• How to Make Sausage Balls
• Expert Tips for Perfect Sausage Balls
• Delicious Variations
• What to Serve with Sausage Balls
• Storage Instructions
• Can You Make It Ahead?
• Common Mistakes to Avoid
• Estimated Nutrition
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Conclusion

Why You’ll Love This Sausage Balls

These are the easiest make-ahead bites for busy holiday mornings.

Moist, Not Dry

Cream cheese keeps them tender.

Simple Ingredients

Sausage, cheese, biscuit mix, and spices.

Freezer Friendly

Freeze raw and bake whenever you need them.

Breakfast or Party

Perfect for Christmas brunch or appetizers.

Feeds a Crowd

One batch makes about 40.

What Is Sausage Balls?

Sausage balls are small baked bites made from breakfast sausage, shredded cheddar cheese, and baking mix such as Bisquick.

They became popular in the American South in the 1970s and have been a holiday staple ever since, especially on Christmas morning.

Some people call them sausage cheese balls. Either way, they are like a tiny biscuit loaded with sausage and cheese.

Ingredients

Sausage Balls

Ingredient	Amount	Purpose
Ground pork breakfast sausage, room temperature	1 pound	Savory base
Sharp cheddar, freshly shredded	2 cups (8 ounces)	Cheesy flavor
Biscuit baking mix (like Bisquick)	1½ cups	Structure
Cream cheese, softened	4 ounces	Moist texture
Garlic powder	½ teaspoon	Flavor
Smoked paprika	½ teaspoon	Color and smokiness
Milk, if needed	2 tablespoons	Helps the dough come together

For Dipping

Ingredient	Amount	Purpose
Maple syrup, honey mustard, or pepper jelly	½ cup	Sweet or tangy dip

Kitchen Equipment

• Large mixing bowl or stand mixer with paddle
• 2 baking sheets
• Parchment paper
• Small cookie scoop
• Box grater

Ingredient Tips

Shred Your Own Cheese

Bagged cheese has anti-caking powder that makes balls dry.

Room Temperature Sausage

It mixes into the dry ingredients more easily.

Spicy or Mild

Use hot sausage for a kick or sage sausage for classic flavor.

Homemade Baking Mix

Mix 1½ cups flour, 2 teaspoons baking powder, ½ teaspoon salt, and 3 tablespoons cold butter.

Full-Fat Cream Cheese

It gives the best texture.

How to Make Sausage Balls

Step 1: Heat the Oven

Heat the oven to 375°F and line two baking sheets with parchment.

Step 2: Mix the Dough

In a large bowl or stand mixer, combine the sausage, cheddar, cream cheese, biscuit mix, garlic powder, and paprika. Mix with your hands or the paddle until fully combined. Add a little milk if it is too dry.

Step 3: Shape the Balls

Scoop into 1-inch balls and roll between your palms. Place 1 inch apart on the sheets.

Step 4: Bake

Bake 18 to 22 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through to 160°F inside.

Step 5: Serve

Cool 5 minutes and serve warm with maple syrup, honey mustard, or pepper jelly.

Expert Tips for Perfect Sausage Balls

Use a Stand Mixer

It combines the stiff dough in a minute.

Same-Size Scoops

They bake evenly.

Do Not Overbake

They dry out; pull them when golden.

Rotate Pans

Swap racks halfway for even browning.

Check the Temperature

Sausage should reach 160°F.

Delicious Variations

Pepper Jack

Swap half the cheddar for pepper jack.

Everything Bagel

Roll in everything bagel seasoning before baking.

Maple

Use maple sausage and serve with warm syrup.

Gluten-Free

Use gluten-free baking mix.

Turkey

Use turkey sausage and add 1 tablespoon olive oil.

What to Serve with Sausage Balls

Serve sausage balls on Christmas morning with fruit, coffee, and gingerbread pancakes.

For parties, put them on a platter with toothpicks and bowls of pepper jelly and honey mustard.

They go great with deviled eggs and other finger foods on a holiday buffet.

Storage Instructions

Storage Method	How Long	Best Practice
Refrigerator	4 days	Airtight container
Freezer (baked)	3 months	Freezer bag
Freezer (raw)	3 months	Freeze on a sheet, then bag

Reheat baked sausage balls at 350°F for 8 to 10 minutes.

Bake frozen raw balls without thawing, adding 5 minutes.

Can You Make It Ahead?

Shape and refrigerate up to 1 day ahead, or freeze raw for up to 3 months.

Bake them fresh on Christmas morning straight from the freezer.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Bagged Shredded Cheese

Makes them dry and crumbly.

Cold Sausage

Hard to mix evenly.

Overbaking

Dry, hard balls.

Too Big

They do not cook through in the center.

Skipping Cream Cheese

Less moist texture.

Estimated Nutrition

Nutrient	Amount Per Serving
Calories	240
Carbohydrates	9g
Protein	10g
Fat	18g
Saturated Fat	8g
Fiber	0g
Sugar	1g
Sodium	520mg
Cholesterol	45mg

Estimate per 3 sausage balls without dip.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Sausage balls are a true Southern holiday favorite: cheesy, savory, and perfect any time of day.

Make a batch for the freezer now and Christmas morning will be so much easier.

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