Description
Savory cheddar bay sausage balls combine zesty sausage with sharp cheddar and herbal notes. Southern-style appetizers deliver irresistible flavor and crowd-pleasing appeal for casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450 g) breakfast sausage (mild or spicy)
- 2 cups (200 g) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 ¼ cups (150 g) Bisquick or baking mix
- ¼ cup (60 ml) whole milk
- 2 tbsps butter, melted
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp dried parsley
- ½ tsp Old Bay seasoning or seafood seasoning (optional)
Instructions
- Preparation: Ignite the oven to 375°F and shield a baking sheet with a non-stick surface.
- Mixing: Amalgamate ground sausage, cheddar cheese, and baking mix in a capacious bowl, kneading until the blend achieves a harmonious, slightly tacky consistency.
- Seasoning: Infuse the meat mixture with minced garlic and dried herbs, ensuring a uniform flavor distribution throughout the composition.
- Forming: Craft compact, spherical morsels using hands or a scoop, rolling each portion into smooth, uniform rounds with precision.
- Positioning: Strategically place the sausage spheres on the prepared baking sheet, allowing sufficient space between each for optimal heat circulation and consistent caramelization.
- Roasting: Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven, allowing the sausage balls to transform for 20-25 minutes, executing a mid-cycle pan rotation to promote even browning.
- Finishing: Observe the golden-brown transformation, confirming a safe internal temperature and perfect culinary doneness.
- Resting: Permit the sausage balls a momentary pause post-baking to stabilize their structural integrity and temper their heat.
- Enhancing: Optionally, lavish the warm spheres with melted butter and a sprinkle of fresh parsley to elevate their aromatic profile.
- Serving: Present immediately while at peak warmth, paired with a complementary dipping sauce for maximum gustatory pleasure.
Notes
- Adjust Meat Fat Content: Choose sausage with moderate fat percentage (around 20-30%) for optimal moisture and texture without excessive greasiness.
- Prevent Sticking Technique: Line baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone mat for easy removal and minimal cleanup, ensuring sausage balls don’t stick.
- Temperature Precision Matters: Use an instant-read meat thermometer to confirm internal temperature reaches 160°F, guaranteeing safe consumption and perfect doneness.
- Gluten-Free Adaptation: Substitute regular baking mix with gluten-free alternatives like almond flour or certified gluten-free baking mix for dietary restrictions without compromising taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 11
- Calories: 193
- Sugar: 0.5 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg