Why You’ll Love This Classic Bisquick Sausage Balls Recipe

This Classic Bisquick Sausage Balls Recipe is a delightful treat that is sure to please everyone around the table. Here’s why you’ll love it:

Quick and Easy: This recipe requires only a few simple steps and minimal prep time. It’s perfect for cooks of all levels, whether you’re an experienced chef or a beginner.
Ideal for the Whole Family: These savory bites are a hit with both kids and adults. They make a great appetizer for parties or a comforting snack for movie night.
Economical: With budget-friendly ingredients, you can whip up a large batch without breaking the bank. They are also great for feeding a crowd!
Versatile Flavors: You can customize the seasonings and dips to match your taste. Want something spicy? Add hot sauce! Prefer a milder flavor? Just stick to ranch.
Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a holiday gathering, a game day snack, or an easy weeknight dinner, these sausage balls fit in perfectly.

The Necessary Ingredients

To make these scrumptious sausage balls, you’ll need the following ingredients:

1 lb hot or mild breakfast sausage, uncooked
2 cups Bisquick (or baking mix), lightly spooned & leveled
4 oz cream cheese, softened
2 cups sharp cheddar, freshly shredded
2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
1 tbsp ranch seasoning (or a mix of 1 tsp parsley + ½ tsp garlic powder + ½ tsp onion powder + ¼ tsp dill)
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp black pepper
¼–½ tsp kosher salt (adjust to sausage saltiness)
2–4 tbsp milk, as needed for cohesive texture
Optional dips: ranch, spicy aioli, marinara, or honey mustard

Notes and Substitutions on Ingredients

Breakfast Sausage: You can choose either hot or mild breakfast sausage, depending on your spice preference. If you want a vegetarian option, you can substitute it with plant-based sausage, but the texture may vary.
Bisquick: While Bisquick is a convenient option, you could make your own baking mix by combining flour, baking powder, and salt if needed. This can be handy if you are gluten-free—just use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend.
Cream Cheese: The cream cheese adds creaminess and binds the mixture, but if you prefer, you can use sour cream or Greek yogurt for a tangy flavor.

How to Prepare the Classic Bisquick Sausage Balls Recipe Step-by-Step

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line two sheet pans with parchment paper to prevent sticking. This ensures your sausage balls have a nice golden crust without sticking to the pan.

Pro Tip: Preheating your oven is crucial for even cooking. Don’t skip this step!
Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine hot or mild sausage, Bisquick, cream cheese, shredded cheddar, melted butter, and all the seasonings. This combination creates a rich and flavorful base for your sausage balls.

Pro Tip: Use your hands to mix these ingredients well; it helps to get everything incorporated evenly.
Adjust the Mixture: If the mixture seems crumbly, add milk one tablespoon at a time until it becomes cohesive and holds together when pressed. Adding milk is essential to achieving the right consistency for rolling.

Pro Tip: Don’t add too much milk at once; you want a firm mixture, not a wet one.
Shape the Balls: Scoop the mixture using a tablespoon or a #40 scoop, then roll it into 1¼–1½-inch balls. Space them evenly on your lined pans. This allows them to cook uniformly.

Pro Tip: Wet your hands slightly to prevent the mixture from sticking to them while rolling.
Bake the Balls: Place the pans in the oven and bake for 18–22 minutes until the sausage balls are golden brown and have reached an internal temperature of 165°F. Rotate the pans halfway through for even baking.

Pro Tip: Use a meat thermometer to check if they’re done; this eliminates any guesswork!
Rest and Serve: After baking, let them rest for 2–3 minutes before transferring them to a serving platter. Garnish with chopped parsley to add a pop of color. Serve hot with your choice of dips.

Pro Tip: Dips such as ranch or spicy aioli elevate the flavors of these savory bites. Feel free to offer multiple options for guests to choose from.

Serving Suggestions

These flavorful sausage balls are perfect for any gathering! Here are some serving suggestions:

Perfect Pairings

Drinks: Serve these sausage balls with a chilled beer, sparkling water, or a lemonade for a refreshing contrast.
Side Dishes: Pair with a fresh salad or veggie platter to balance the richness of the sausage balls.

Occasions

Weeknight Dinner: Serve these as a fun and easy main dish. Accompany with a side of roasted vegetables or mashed potatoes.
Special Occasion Meal: These sausage balls make an excellent appetizer for holiday gatherings, birthdays, or game day celebrations.

Serving Tips

Skewers: For a playful presentation, serve the sausage balls on skewers with small bowls of dips at the bottom.
Garnish: Add fresh herbs or a sprinkle of paprika on top for a visually appealing touch.

Storage and Reheating Tips

To keep your sausage balls fresh, follow these storage tips:

Refrigerated

Duration: Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Type of Container: Use an airtight container for best results.

Freezed

If Possible: Yes, these can be frozen.
Packaging: Place in a freezer-safe bag or container, ensuring to remove as much air as possible.
Defrosting: Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

Reheating

Best Method: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes. This helps maintain the crispy texture.

Guaranteed Success Tips

Watch Your Mixing: Don’t overmix the ingredients; just combine until everything is evenly distributed. Overmixing can lead to tough sausage balls.
Keep it Cool: If your mixture starts to get too warm while you’re rolling, chill it in the refrigerator for 10 minutes. It makes rolling easier.
Uniform Size: Aim for uniform balls to ensure even cooking; all the balls should be roughly the same size.
Temperature Check: Use a meat thermometer to make sure they’re fully cooked, reaching at least 165°F inside.

Recipe Variations

Here are some fun twists on the classic recipe:

For a Spicy Version: Add 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper or chopped jalapeños to the mixture for an extra kick.
For a Cheese Lover’s Delight: Mix in a variety of cheeses such as mozzarella or pepper jack in addition to the sharp cheddar.
For a Vegan Version: Replace the sausage with a plant-based sausage alternative, use vegan cream cheese, and ensure the baking mix is dairy-free.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: My sausage balls came out too dry. What did I do wrong?
A: This could be due to not enough moisture in the mixture. Always ensure to add milk gradually until the mixture holds together nicely.

Q: Can I make this in advance?
A: Yes, you can prepare the mixture and refrigerate it before rolling and baking. This allows the flavors to meld together even more.

Q: How can I tell when the sausage balls are done?
A: Use a meat thermometer to check for an internal temperature of 165°F. They should also look golden brown on the outside.

Q: Can I use frozen sausage?
A: Yes, you can use frozen sausage, but it’s best to thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before mixing for easier handling.

Q: What can I do if the mixture is sticking to my hands?
A: Slightly wet your hands with water or oil to prevent the mixture from sticking while forming into balls.

Q: Are there any gluten-free options for this recipe?
A: Yes, substitute Bisquick with a gluten-free baking mix and ensure your sausage is gluten-free.

Q: How long do they take to bake?
A: Bake for 18-22 minutes, but keep an eye on them toward the end to avoid over-baking.

These Classic Bisquick Sausage Balls are easy to make, delicious, and sure to be a hit at your next gathering! Enjoy your culinary adventure!

Classic Bisquick Sausage Balls

These savory sausage balls are quick and easy to make, versatile for any occasion, and sure to please everyone with their delightful flavors.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 20

Total Time 35

Course Appetizer, Snack

Cuisine American

Servings pieces

Calories 120 kcal

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

1 lb hot or mild breakfast sausage, uncooked Choose hot or mild sausage based on spice preference.
2 cups Bisquick (or baking mix), lightly spooned & leveled A convenient option or homemade gluten-free blend can be used.
4 oz cream cheese, softened Can substitute with sour cream or Greek yogurt.
2 cups sharp cheddar, freshly shredded For a cheese lover’s version, consider mixing with mozzarella or pepper jack.
2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
1 tbsp ranch seasoning Or use a mix of 1 tsp parsley + ½ tsp garlic powder + ½ tsp onion powder + ¼ tsp dill.
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp black pepper
¼–½ tsp kosher salt Adjust based on sausage saltiness.
2–4 tbsp milk As needed for cohesive texture.

Optional Dips

ranch
spicy aioli
marinara
honey mustard

Instructions

Preparation

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line two sheet pans with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, combine the sausage, Bisquick, cream cheese, shredded cheddar, melted butter, and all the seasonings.
If the mixture seems crumbly, add milk one tablespoon at a time until cohesive.
Scoop the mixture using a tablespoon or #40 scoop, forming 1¼–1½-inch balls.

Cooking

Bake for 18–22 minutes until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Let them rest for 2–3 minutes before transferring to a serving platter.

Notes

For best results, don’t overmix the ingredients and aim for uniform size for even cooking.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 120kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 6gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 3gSodium: 300mgSugar: 1g

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!