Crispy Golden Turkey Stuffing Balls Recipe: Family Favorite Bites

Crispy, golden-brown turkey stuffing balls burst with holiday flavor and comfort.

These delectable morsels elevate your classic stuffing into bite-sized delights that everyone will adore.

Packed with savory herbs and tender breadcrumbs, each ball delivers a perfect blend of crunch and softness.

Generations of home cooks have cherished similar recipes that bring warmth to the dinner table.

The aroma of sage and herbs will draw people closer, creating moments of culinary connection.

Easy to prepare and even easier to devour, these stuffing balls transform a traditional side dish into an irresistible appetizer.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 140 kcal

Servings: 11

Everything You Need For Turkey Stuffing Balls

• Cooked Stuffing: Provides the hearty foundation and classic holiday flavor for the balls.
• Chopped Turkey: Adds protein and utilizes delicious leftover meat for a resourceful dish.
• Cheddar Cheese: Introduces rich, melty goodness and enhances overall savory profile.
• Beaten Egg: Binds ingredients together and helps maintain structural integrity.
• Breadcrumbs: Creates texture and helps absorb moisture for perfect consistency.
• Melted Butter: Ensures mixture stays moist and prevents dryness.
• Salt and Pepper: Balances and elevates the natural flavors of the ingredients.

• Breadcrumbs: Creates a crispy, golden exterior with delightful crunch.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds nutty, sharp flavor to the coating and enhances browning.
• Additional Beaten Egg: Helps coating adhere perfectly to the stuffing balls.

• Vegetable Oil: Provides medium for frying and achieving golden-brown exterior.
• Cooking Spray: Helps prevent sticking and promotes even browning when baking.
• Cranberry Sauce: Offers sweet-tart companion for complementing savory balls.
• Gravy: Adds extra moisture and traditional holiday flavor for dipping.

Tools To Have Ready For Turkey Stuffing Balls

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining all ingredients smoothly and thoroughly.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient proportions.
• Skillet or baking sheet: Needed for cooking the stuffing balls (choose frying or baking method).
• Tongs or slotted spoon: Perfect for safely handling and turning stuffing balls during cooking.
• Paper towels: Great for draining excess oil if frying.
• Small bowls: Useful for preparing egg wash and breadcrumb coating.
• Spatula or wooden spoon: Helpful for mixing ingredients evenly.

How To Cook Turkey Stuffing Balls With Ease

• Mixture Preparation

Grab a spacious mixing bowl and combine all the delicious ingredients. The goal is creating a blend that sticks together perfectly when formed into balls. Gently fold everything until the texture feels just right – not too dry and not too wet. Your mixture should feel like a cozy, savory hug.

• Ball Shaping

Scoop generous portions of the mixture and roll them between your palms. Create uniform rounds that feel compact and solid. Aim for bite-sized morsels that will tantalize taste buds and look irresistibly golden when cooked.

• Crispy Coating

Prepare a delightful crunchy exterior by rolling each ball through a luxurious coating mixture. Ensure every inch gets covered with the crumbly goodness that will transform into a crisp, golden shell during cooking.

• Cooking Method

Choose your adventure: sizzling frying or oven-baking. When frying, watch for a gorgeous golden-brown color. If baking, keep an eye on achieving that perfect crispness. The transformation from soft mixture to crunchy delights is pure culinary magic.

• Serving Suggestion

Plate these beauties while they’re steaming hot. Pair with a zesty cranberry sauce or rich gravy that complements their savory charm. Watch as friends and family dive into these irresistible morsels with pure delight.

Tasty Tips For Turkey Stuffing Balls Variations

• Smart Moisture Trick: Add a splash of chicken broth or melted butter to keep the stuffing balls extra juicy and prevent them from becoming dry during cooking.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the stuffing balls up to 24 hours in advance and store them covered in the refrigerator. This helps develop deeper flavors and saves time during meal preparation.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Replace regular breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed gluten-free crackers. Use almond flour as an alternative coating for a lower-carb option that still provides excellent crispiness.
• Vegetarian Twist: Swap turkey with finely chopped roasted vegetables like mushrooms, bell peppers, and zucchini. Consider adding crumbled vegetarian sausage or extra cheese to boost protein and create a satisfying meat-free version.
• Herb Boost: Experiment with fresh herbs like sage, thyme, or rosemary to enhance the flavor profile. Finely chop herbs and mix them directly into the stuffing ball mixture for a more aromatic and sophisticated taste experience.

Ways To Serve Turkey Stuffing Balls Neatly

• Party Platter Paradise: Arrange these crispy turkey stuffing balls on a rustic wooden board with small bowls of cranberry sauce and herb-infused gravy for elegant holiday gatherings.
• Leftover Lunch Hero: Pack these bite-sized treats in lunchboxes with a small container of tangy sauce, making them perfect for next-day meals that transform boring lunch routines.
• Game Day Appetizer: Serve these golden-brown balls on a football-themed platter with toothpicks, creating an irresistible snack for sports fans that disappears quickly during game time.
• Festive Brunch Twist: Pair these stuffing balls with a light mixed green salad and soft-poached eggs for a creative weekend brunch that surprises and delights morning guests.

How To Store Turkey Stuffing Balls After Cooking

• Quick Meal Plan Tricks: Prepare stuffing balls ahead and refrigerate uncooked mixture up to 2 days for easy meal prep.
• Smart Freezing Strategy: Freeze uncooked balls on a baking sheet, then transfer to freezer bags for storage up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before cooking.
• Refrigeration Wisdom: Store cooked stuffing balls in airtight containers for 3-4 days. Reheat in oven at 350F for best crispy texture, avoiding microwave to maintain crunchiness.
• Portion Control Magic: Pack individual portions in meal prep containers for quick lunches or snacks. These portable bites work great for work, school, or picnic meals.

Crispy Turkey Stuffing Balls Recipe

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4.8 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 11 1x

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Description

Savory turkey stuffing balls bring classic holiday comfort to your table. Crispy exterior and herbed interior make these bite-sized treats a crowd-pleasing appetizer you’ll want to share with family and friends.

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Ingredients

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• 1 cup (100 g) breadcrumbs
• ¼ cup (30 g) breadcrumbs
• 1 cup (150 g) cooked turkey, finely chopped
• 3 cups (450 g) cooked stuffing
• ½ cup (60 g) shredded cheddar cheese
• ¼ cup (30 g) grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 2 tbsps butter, melted
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste
• Vegetable oil (for frying)
• Cooking spray (for baking)

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Instructions

1. Mixture Preparation: Combine stuffing with roasted turkey, creating a unified base that melds protein and bread components with cohesive texture.
2. Binding Process: Integrate beaten egg and breadcrumbs into the stuffing mixture, developing a sticky consistency ideal for shaping compact balls.
3. Flavor Enhancement: Gently fold cheddar cheese throughout the mixture, distributing evenly to introduce rich, creamy undertones and depth of flavor.
4. Seasoning Stage: Sprinkle salt and pepper across the blend, calibrating taste profiles to complement the turkey and stuffing essence.
5. Shaping Protocol: Utilize clean hands to construct uniform spherical formations, ensuring consistent sizing for balanced cooking and visual appeal.
6. Coating Technique: Create a textural exterior by blending breadcrumbs with finely grated Parmesan cheese, preparing a crisp-inducing station.
7. Egg Dipping Method: Immerse each formed ball completely in beaten egg, guaranteeing comprehensive coverage for optimal breadcrumb adhesion.
8. Breading Process: Roll egg-coated balls through Parmesan-breadcrumb mixture, applying gentle pressure to secure an even, comprehensive exterior.
9. Cooking Strategy: Select between frying or baking method – for frying, heat vegetable oil to medium temperature in a deep skillet.
10. Frying Execution: Introduce coated balls in small batches, rotating periodically to achieve uniform golden-brown coloration and crispy texture, cooking approximately 3-4 minutes per batch.
11. Baking Alternative: Preheat oven to 400°F, arrange balls on parchment-lined baking sheet, ensuring strategic spacing for consistent heat distribution.
12. Final Preparation: Bake or fry until exterior turns golden and crisp, rotating midway to ensure comprehensive browning and textural perfection.
13. Serving Recommendation: Present immediately alongside complementary condiments like cranberry relish or classic turkey gravy, enhancing the overall culinary experience.

Notes

• Manage Oil Temperature: Keep oil consistently around 350-375°F for perfect golden-brown exterior without burning or undercooking the stuffing balls.
• Control Moisture Balance: Use slightly dry stuffing mix to prevent soggy balls; drain excess liquid to maintain crisp texture and prevent breaking during cooking.
• Uniform Size Matters: Roll balls precisely equal in size (about 1.5-inch diameter) to ensure consistent cooking time and prevent uneven browning or raw centers.
• Adapt Dietary Needs: Swap regular breadcrumbs with gluten-free alternatives, use plant-based cheese, and substitute egg with flax egg for vegetarian or gluten-sensitive versions.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 11
• Calories: 140
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 320 mg
• Fat: 6 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 15 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 7 g
• Cholesterol: 45 mg