Description
Irresistible bite-sized appetizers that blend savory breakfast sausage, rich cream cheese, sharp cheddar, and aromatic spices into soft, golden-brown morsels. Perfect for holiday parties, game days, weekend brunches, or make-ahead party snacks!
Ingredients
1 lb (16 oz) breakfast sausage (mild, hot/spicy, or maple)
8 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
2 cups biscuit mix (such as Bisquick) or all-purpose flour mixed with 1 tbsp baking powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
Optional Add-ins: 1/4 cup chopped fresh chives, 1/4 cup diced jalapeños, or 1/2 cup cooked crumbled bacon
Instructions
Prep Equipment: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
Blend Sausage & Cream Cheese: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground sausage and softened cream cheese using a sturdy spoon or clean hands until thoroughly blended and uniform.
Add Cheddar & Dry Mix: Fold in the shredded sharp cheddar cheese, biscuit mix (or flour + baking powder), garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and black pepper. Mix until a cohesive dough forms.
Form Balls: Roll the mixture into 1-inch balls (about 24–28 balls) and place them on the prepared baking sheet, leaving about an inch of space between each.
Bake: Bake for 20–25 minutes until golden brown on top and the sausage is fully cooked through (internal temperature reaches 160°F / 71°C).
Serve: Allow to cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet before serving warm with ranch dressing, honey mustard, or barbecue sauce.
Notes
Softened Cream Cheese: Ensure the cream cheese is fully softened at room temperature to easily integrate with the sausage without forming lumps.
Make-Ahead & Freezing: Unbaked sausage balls can be rolled and frozen on a baking sheet, then transferred to a freezer bag. Bake directly from frozen at 350°F (175°C) for 22–25 minutes.
Gluten-Free Swap: Substitute regular biscuit mix with a 1:1 gluten-free baking mix or almond flour with baking powder.
Storage & Reheating: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in a preheated 350°F oven for 8–10 minutes to restore crispiness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer / Snack
- Method: baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 sausage balls
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
Keywords: cream cheese sausage balls, sausage balls with cream cheese, bisquick sausage balls, party appetizers, holiday sausage balls