Sausage balls are a classic, crowd-pleasing appetizer that’s always a hit at parties, holiday gatherings, or casual family dinners. These savory bites are packed with flavor, combining the rich taste of sausage with the perfect balance of cheese and spices. They’re easy to make, and they bake up golden and crispy on the outside while remaining tender and juicy on the inside.
The recipe for sausage balls is simple, yet the results are irresistible. Ground sausage, typically breakfast sausage, is mixed with sharp cheddar cheese, flour, and a little baking powder to help them rise. Some variations might include seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper for an extra kick. The mixture is rolled into bite-sized balls and baked until golden brown. The melted cheese creates a rich, flavorful coating, while the sausage keeps the balls juicy and satisfying.
Sausage balls are incredibly versatile and can be served in many ways. They make a great appetizer on their own, or you can pair them with dipping sauces such as mustard, ranch, or even a spicy sriracha mayo for a bit of heat. They’re also perfect for breakfast when served alongside eggs or a side of fruit.
One of the best things about sausage balls is that they’re easy to customize. You can switch up the type of cheese (try pepper jack for some heat or mozzarella for a milder flavor) or even add finely chopped herbs like parsley or thyme for added freshness. For a lighter version, you can substitute part of the sausage with turkey sausage or use a gluten-free flour blend.
Whether you’re looking for a quick snack or a satisfying addition to your next party spread, sausage balls are a guaranteed hit. They’re simple to prepare, fun to eat, and always full of flavor. Once you’ve tried them, they’ll likely become a go-to recipe for any occasion.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground sausage can be spicy or mild based on preference
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese sharp or mild, as preferred
- 2 cups biscuit mix such as Bisquick
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large bowl, combine the ground sausage, shredded cheddar cheese, and biscuit mix. Mix until well combined.
- Shape the mixture into 1-inch balls and place them on a baking sheet.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the sausage balls are golden and cooked through.
Nutrition
Why would anyone mix sausage and cheese? Sounds gross!
These are amazing! Perfect for parties or just a snack.
I tried these with turkey sausage and they were kinda dry, not the same taste as pork.
Not gonna lie, I was skeptical about the biscuit mix. But wow, it actually binds really well. Mine were golden and not greasy.
I had the same skepticism—biscuit mix can be weird—but this totally works. The golden color is the key, and no grease means you likely didn’t overmix or bake too short. Nice!
Sausage balls are a classic! I added some jalapenos for a kick 😍👍!
Jalapenos sound awesome! I gotta try that next time! 🥳
Soo easy to make! Even my kids gobbled them up. Will make these again for sure!
I measured everything wrong (like, I free-poured the cheese). Somehow they still worked? Idk science but 10/10 would attempt again.
I don’t know about “free-poured” cheese working out… but I believe it. My first batch came out dry because I measured wrong too. Still ate them though 😂
Honestly that’s the best kind of kitchen magic 😄 Sausage balls are super forgiving—if they’re golden and cooked through, you’re golden.
Just made these and they were floppy! Not what I expected. Guess I need to follow the recipe better.
I thought this was going to be a disaster, but they actually turned out pretty good! Just like my grandma’s, kinda.
I’m so glad you liked them! I was worried they might be too greasy, but they were perfect. Definitely a keeper!
Totally easy and great for parties! Made these for a potluck, and they disappeared fast. Will definitely make again!
Pretty solid recipe. I mixed a little too long and they were slightly dense, but flavor was great. Next time I’ll just mix until combined.
Sausage balls?? What even is that? It just sounds weird. Who eats balls of sausage?
I followed the recipe pretty much exactly, but mine were a bit dry. I think my biscuit mix brand is drier than Bisquick? Anyone have tips to make them more moist?
The instructions were simple, but my balls wouldn’t hold shape at first. I added an extra spoon of biscuit mix and that fixed it. Tasted better after that.
Glad you got them to hold! Mine do the same thing if I don’t mix long enough—extra biscuit mix is a good save. 😄
Honestly? I didn’t taste that much cheese. It was fine, but I expected more flavor.
Huh, I think it’s more about the biscuit mix? Like the Bisquick kinda soaks it up. Also I always use spicy sausage, so maybe that makes mine stronger. Next time add extra cheese or a little garlic powder—won’t hurt.
Totally get that—2 cups cheddar for 1 lb sausage *should* punch more, but if you used mild cheese or smaller sausage portions, it can feel subtle. Maybe try a sharper cheddar (or even mix in some mozzarella for melt) and don’t overbake.
Recipe seems easy but idk how they will taste. Will try and let yall know.
I tried this and they came out dry. Maybe I needed more cheese? Not sure I’ll make again.
They turned out kinda dry for me… Maybe I overcooked them? Will try again tho!
Dry? I dunno. These were moist for me. You sure you mixed it good? 🤔
I had the same problem! Maybe try reducing the bake time a bit? They came out perfect for me at 22 minutes!
Seems too easy… is this a real recipe? Like, can’t it be messed up? 🤔
Wasn’t sure about the biscuit mix, but it turned out great! They are super cheesy and just right. Might add some spices next time.
I don’t know, biscuit mix?? Sounds weird. Just use flour like normal people!
Glad to hear it turned out great! The cheesy goodness is hard to resist. Adding spices sounds like a fantastic idea!
These are a hit at every party! Everyone loves them!
So easy to make! I added some garlic powder for extra flavor. Yum!
My husband said these are better than the ones from that chain place. We used mild cheddar and mild sausage, and they were perfect with a little hot sauce on the side.
I love biscuits, so I thought this would be a hit, but my family didn’t eat them. What a waste! 😔
These were amazing! Totally a crowd-pleaser at my party.
I’m so glad to hear that! They really are the best finger food for any get-together. Did you try them with a dipping sauce?
These were soooo good! My family devoured them. Thanks for the recipe!
I followed it exactly and they still didn’t hold together great. They tasted good, just kinda crumbly. Maybe I should’ve used room temp ingredients?
Could you use turkey sausage instead of this? Healthier right? Asking for a friend.
Better than I expected! Made them for a party and they were gone in no time.
They taste good, but I found them a bit greasy. Maybe next time I’ll drain the sausage first.
Greasy? Really? I thought they were perfect! But hey, everyone has their own taste, right?
I’ve had the same issue! Draining the sausage could really help cut down on the grease. I might try that next time too.
I found this recipe super greasy… maybe I used too much sausage? Not my fav.
Sausage + cheese = heaven! Could eat these all day. 😍
I tried it and they didn’t cook through until way longer than 25 minutes. Also my oven runs hot or something. I’d say check for internal temp if you have one.
Sausage balls for breakfast? Yes, please! Just made these and they were a hit at the brunch. Yum!
Glad to hear you enjoyed it! These are perfect for breakfast!
I accidentally used pancake mix instead of biscuit mix. They tasted weird. Gotta pay better attention next time.
This recipe is a lifesaver! My kids ask for these every week! 🙌
I’m so glad to hear that! These sausage balls are a hit at my house too! 🥳
They can’t be that good… right? I mean, it’s just sausage and cheese? 🤔
Idk, never really liked sausage that much. They tasted okay I guess…but my husband loved them.
Tried this yesterday, but they burned! I guess I set the oven too high. Not gonna give up tho!
Mine were good, but I think I overmixed—ended up a bit dense. Next time I’ll mix just until combined. Flavor was still great though.
Yep, that sounds like overmixing—sausage balls can get dense if you work the dough too much. Glad the flavor still came out great though!
I dunno, seems kinda simple. How can these be that great? Might try them if I’m bored.
Simple doesn’t mean bad! Sometimes the easiest recipes are the tastiest. Plus, these are super quick to make!
I thought the same at first! But these sausage balls are surprisingly flavorful. Give them a try, you might be surprised!
These were surprisingly easy. I was worried about the texture, but they came out golden and not greasy. Next time I might make them slightly smaller so they bake evenly.
Totally agree—these are way easier than they sound. Mine also stayed golden and not greasy, which is such a relief. I do go a tiny bit smaller like you said and they seem to cook more evenly.
Hmm. I made them once and they were kinda dry for me. I think I used the wrong biscuit mix? Like, I used self-rising flour instead of Bisquick and it just… didn’t work lol. Do you cover them or flip them at all?
I don’t know, they were kinda bland. Maybe try adding some herbs or spices next time?
Pretty simple, and I appreciate that it doesn’t need anything fancy. Mine took closer to 28 minutes to be fully cooked, but still turned out golden.
Super easy and hard to mess up. Mine needed the full 25 minutes, but once I let them cool a bit they firmed up nicely. Great comfort food.
Sausage balls? What did I just read? 🤔 Aren’t they just meatballs?!
Wait—350°F for 20-25 min seems short. I baked mine and they weren’t fully cooked inside, had to do more time. But once fixed, they were tasty.
Did I miss the part about baking temp? I just did 350F and they turned out fine. But I don’t get why people love them so much.
I don’t usually trust recipes with biscuit mix, but this actually works. The outside gets that nice crust. I’d recommend mixing thoroughly—otherwise some bits don’t bind.
These sausage balls were dangerously easy. I used mild sausage and sharp cheddar and they came out super golden and tasty—would definitely make again for parties.
Not sure why people love these so much. They taste like breakfast sausage and biscuit mix mashed together… which, to be fair, is exactly what they are. I’ll eat them, but I wouldn’t make them again.
Nah, you’re overthinking it. They taste like sausage balls because… they are sausage balls lol. Use sharp cheddar and spicy sausage and they’re way better.
I get what you mean—they really are basically sausage + cheddar + biscuit mix doing its thing 😂 But I love that they’re savory and super snackable. I’d definitely make them again for parties.
How many balls do you get from this?! I mean, I need to make enough for everyone!
Idk, but these minors were kinda weird. They tasted funny to me. I put ketchup on them… 🤷♂️
I followed it but my mixture was super dry and wouldn’t really ball up. Could be my biscuit mix brand? I added a splash of water and it helped.
These are so salty—like, my tongue is still mad 😅. I used sharp cheddar and spicy sausage, so that might’ve been the problem. Flavor was there, balance wasn’t.
These were dangerously good. The cheddar + biscuit mix makes them super savory and tender. I used mild sausage and they still had great flavor.
I think these were a bit too salty for my taste, but the flavour is nice otherwise.
These sausage balls are so yummy! I added some hot sauce for a kick and it was the best!
Sausage balls? Sounds weird. Why would you mix sausage with cheese and biscuits? Hmm… yeah IDK about this.
I can’t wait to try this! Hot sauce is such a good idea. I’m drooling just thinking about it!
Easy recipe! I love making these on Sunday for brunch with my family. Thanks!
These sausage balls are AMAZING! I brought them to a party and they were gone in minutes!
Yeah, but mine always end up too dry. What am I doin’ wrong?
I’m so glad you liked them! They really are a hit at any get-together. Did you use spicy sausage?
I messed it up, thought it was for cookies. They just taste like meatballs lol. Not for me.
Is 1 inch really the right size? Mine melted together into a big blob situation. I guess I rolled them too loosely.
These are AMAZING! I made them for a party and they were gone in minutes. Will definitely make again!
Way too salty for me. I used sharp cheddar (maybe that’s the problem) and spicy sausage—should’ve gone mild. My fault, but yeah… salty.
I always make sausage balls around holidays and this is a classic. The method is solid and the 1-inch balls are a nice size—cook evenly.
Wow, I used hot sausage and sharp cheese, and they are fire! 🔥
Omg, so delish!
These are dangerously easy. I used mild sausage and sharp cheddar—perfect salty bite. Mine took closer to 25 minutes but they came out golden and not greasy. Will make again for parties!
Super easy to make! My lil’ kids helped roll them into balls and they had so much fun. Will definitely make these again!
Wow, that sounds like such a fun activity! I bet the kids loved it. Sausage balls are super tasty too!
These sausage balls are AMAZING! I made them for a party and they disappeared in minutes. Everyone loved them!
I never thought these would be so easy! Thanks for sharing!
These are basically the only snack I make when I’m short on time. Cheap-ish, filling, and everyone asks for the recipe.
Yes! These are my go-to too—so fast and they disappear immediately. I add a little extra cheese and they still turn out great.
These are dangerously good. I used mild sausage and sharp cheddar, and they came out perfectly golden in about 22 minutes. Super easy—will make again for sure.
These came out so good—super cheesy and flavorful. I used mild sausage and they still had a nice kick. Definitely making them again for game night!
Meh. 350 for 25 mins didn’t do it for me, still felt kinda raw. Also the mix was super sticky.
Made these for game night and they disappeared fast. I used mild sausage and sharp cheddar—perfectly cheesy and a little spicy. Definitely adding to my regular rotation.
Honestly, it’s just sausage + cheese + biscuit mix. Kinda basic. I mean, sure it’s good, but I wouldn’t say it’s anything special.
Honestly, I don’t get the hype. They tasted like every other sausage ball I’ve had. Not bad, just not special.
I tried it and they were dry. Also, I think I should’ve added more cheese? Not sure. Won’t lie, I was expecting more juiciness.
I’m not sure why they call it sausage balls—mine looked more like sausage blobs 😂 Still tasty though.
So good! I added a tiny bit of garlic powder and it made them taste like they came from a bakery (not even kidding).
Not a big fan, they turned out too dry for me. Maybe add some milk next time?