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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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)
Instructions
- Mixture Preparation: Combine stuffing with roasted turkey, creating a unified base that melds protein and bread components with cohesive texture.
- Binding Process: Integrate beaten egg and breadcrumbs into the stuffing mixture, developing a sticky consistency ideal for shaping compact balls.
- Flavor Enhancement: Gently fold cheddar cheese throughout the mixture, distributing evenly to introduce rich, creamy undertones and depth of flavor.
- Seasoning Stage: Sprinkle salt and pepper across the blend, calibrating taste profiles to complement the turkey and stuffing essence.
- Shaping Protocol: Utilize clean hands to construct uniform spherical formations, ensuring consistent sizing for balanced cooking and visual appeal.
- Coating Technique: Create a textural exterior by blending breadcrumbs with finely grated Parmesan cheese, preparing a crisp-inducing station.
- Egg Dipping Method: Immerse each formed ball completely in beaten egg, guaranteeing comprehensive coverage for optimal breadcrumb adhesion.
- Breading Process: Roll egg-coated balls through Parmesan-breadcrumb mixture, applying gentle pressure to secure an even, comprehensive exterior.
- Cooking Strategy: Select between frying or baking method – for frying, heat vegetable oil to medium temperature in a deep skillet.
- 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.
- Baking Alternative: Preheat oven to 400°F, arrange balls on parchment-lined baking sheet, ensuring strategic spacing for consistent heat distribution.
- Final Preparation: Bake or fry until exterior turns golden and crisp, rotating midway to ensure comprehensive browning and textural perfection.
- 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