Crispy Golden Stuffing Bites Recipe: Your New Favorite Snack

Stuffing bites revolutionize traditional holiday comfort food with their crispy, savory appeal.

Compact and irresistible, these morsels capture the essence of classic side dishes in one delightful package.

Small yet packed with robust flavor, they offer a delectable twist on familiar culinary traditions.

Each bite delivers a perfect balance of herbs, bread, and seasonings that dance across your palate.

Crisp edges give way to a tender, rich interior that promises pure satisfaction.

Imagine popping these delicious morsels at gatherings, where they instantly become the star of the appetizer spread.

Guests will be drawn to their golden-brown allure and irresistible aroma.

You won’t be able to stop at just one of these tempting little treasures.

Why You’ll Crave Stuffing Bites Again

• These stuffing bites transform traditional holiday stuffing into perfectly portioned, handheld delights that pack maximum taste in every single bite.
• Muffin tin preparation eliminates messy traditional stuffing serving, creating neat, individual portions that are super easy to plate and enjoy without complicated cutting.
• The recipe allows flexible ingredient modifications with Italian sausage providing rich, hearty flavor while herbs like sage and thyme add aromatic depth that elevates the classic stuffing experience.
• With just 45 minutes total cooking time, these stuffing bites deliver restaurant-quality presentation and taste without requiring advanced culinary skills, making them perfect for home cooks seeking delicious, stress-free side dishes.

What Goes Into Stuffing Bites

• White Bread, French Bread: Classic base for stuffing, provides a hearty texture and absorbs flavors well. Day-old bread works best for optimal dryness.

• Italian Sausage: Adds rich, savory flavor and protein to the stuffing bites. Choose mild or spicy sausage based on preference.

• Onion, Celery: Provides depth of flavor and classic stuffing aromatics. Fresh, crisp vegetables enhance the overall taste.

• Sage, Thyme, Salt, Pepper: Traditional herbs that give a classic stuffing profile. Use dried or fresh herbs for authentic flavor.

• Chicken Broth, Eggs: Helps bind the stuffing mixture and adds moisture. Low-sodium broth recommended for better seasoning control.

• Olive Oil: Helps sauté vegetables and adds subtle flavor. Extra virgin olive oil provides the best taste.
• Butter: Used for greasing muffin tin and adds richness. Unsalted butter preferred for precise seasoning.

How to Prepare Stuffing Bites

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a cozy 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Grab a muffin tin and give it a quick butter bath or spray with cooking oil.

Step 2: Toast Bread Cubes

Spread bread cubes across a sheet pan in a single, even layer. Slide into the oven and bake for about 10 minutes until they’re lightly golden and crisp. Pull out and let cool completely.

Step 3: Cook Sausage

In a large skillet, brown the Italian sausage until it’s fully cooked and looking deliciously crispy. Transfer the sausage to a mixing bowl.

Step 4: Sauté Veggie Blend

• Chopped onions
• Diced celery

• Sage
• Thyme
• Black pepper

Sauté until vegetables are soft and fragrant.

Step 5: Mix Stuffing Magic

• Toasted bread cubes
• Cooked sausage
• Sautéed vegetable mixture
• Chicken broth

Splash in beaten eggs and stir everything together until well combined.

Step 6: Bake Stuffing Bites

Pack the mixture into muffin cups, pressing gently. Bake at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for 35-40 minutes until tops are golden brown and edges are crispy.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Carefully remove the stuffing bites using a butter knife. Serve warm and watch everyone dive in!

Smart Tips for Great Stuffing Bites

• Toast Bread Carefully: Spread cubes evenly on sheet pan and watch closely to prevent burning, ensuring a perfect golden color and crisp texture.
• Balance Moisture Perfectly: Add chicken broth gradually and mix thoroughly to achieve the ideal consistency – moist but not soggy stuffing bites.
• Sauté Aromatics Strategically: Cook onions and celery until soft and translucent to release maximum flavor and enhance the overall taste profile.
• Pack Muffin Cups Precisely: Compress stuffing mixture gently but firmly into each cup to create compact, well-structured bites that hold together beautifully.
• Check Doneness Smartly: Look for golden-brown edges and crisp tops as visual indicators that your stuffing bites are perfectly cooked and ready to serve.

How to Store and Warm Stuffing Bites

• Refrigerate: Store leftover stuffing bites in an airtight container for up to 4 days, keeping them fresh and delicious.
• Freeze: Wrap individual bites in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag for storage up to 3 months, preserving their flavor and texture.
• Reheat: Warm stuffing bites in a preheated oven at 350 degrees F for 10-15 minutes, ensuring they crisp up and taste just as good as when first baked.

Best Foods to Serve with Stuffing Bites

• Sip & Savor Sparkling Wine: Pair these crispy stuffing bites with a light, bubbly prosecco or champagne that cuts through the richness of the sausage and complements the herbal sage and thyme notes.
• Match with Malty Ale: Choose a medium-bodied amber ale or Belgian-style beer that echoes the warm, savory flavors of the stuffing and provides a robust companion to the Italian sausage.
• Create a Cranberry Cocktail Companion: Prepare a zesty cranberry martini or spritzer that brings a tart, bright contrast to the dense, hearty stuffing bites, balancing their deep, meaty profile.
• Serve with Crisp Chardonnay: Select an unoaked or lightly oaked chardonnay that offers subtle buttery undertones to harmonize with the stuffing's texture while maintaining a refreshing acidic backbone.

Twist Options for Stuffing Bites

• Vegetarian Herb Haven: Replace Italian sausage with crumbled firm tofu or chopped mushrooms, adding extra herbs like rosemary and parsley for rich flavor depth.
• Mediterranean Fusion Bites: Incorporate feta cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and kalamata olives into the stuffing mixture for a Greek-inspired version with tangy Mediterranean notes.
• Spicy Southwest Kick: Mix in diced jalapeños, chorizo, corn kernels, and a dash of cumin to create a zesty southwestern-style stuffing bite with bold, vibrant flavors.
• Apple Sage Comfort: Add diced green apples and increased sage quantities to bring a subtle sweetness and earthy undertone to the traditional stuffing recipe.

Stuffing Bites: Common Questions Answered

• Can I make these stuffing bites ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare them a day in advance and reheat in the oven at 300 degrees F for 10-15 minutes before serving.

• What if I don't have Italian sausage?

You can substitute with ground turkey, ground chicken, or even leave it out for a vegetarian version. The herbs will still provide great flavor.

• How do I store leftover stuffing bites?

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven to maintain their crispy texture.

• Can I freeze these stuffing bites?

Absolutely! Cool completely, then freeze in a sealed container for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat in the oven.

Stuffing Bites Recipe

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4.8 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Crispy parmesan herb stuffing bites deliver delightful appetizer magic from classic holiday leftovers. Crunchy exterior and rich flavor invite guests to savor these irresistible morsels you’ll crave beyond seasonal celebrations.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 8 cups (1.89 liters) white bread, cubed
• 8 ounces (226 grams) Italian sausage, removed from casing
• 1.5 cups (354 milliliters) low-sodium chicken stock
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• ½ yellow onion, finely diced
• 4 celery stalks, finely diced
• 6 large fresh sage leaves, minced
• 6 sprigs of fresh thyme, minced

Seasonings and Oils:

• 2 teaspoons (10 milliliters) olive oil
• Kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to a gentle 300 degrees F and prepare a muffin tin with a light coating of butter or cooking spray.
2. Arrange bread cubes in a single layer on a sheet pan and toast in the oven until they develop a delicate golden hue, approximately 10 minutes. Allow the cubes to cool completely.
3. Crumble and brown the Italian sausage in a skillet, ensuring it’s fully cooked through. Transfer the meat to a large mixing bowl.
4. In the same skillet, sauté diced onions and celery with olive oil, seasoning with salt. Incorporate sage, thyme, and black pepper, cooking until the vegetables become fragrant and slightly softened.
5. Combine the toasted bread cubes, crispy sausage, aromatic vegetable mixture, and chicken broth in the mixing bowl. Gently fold the ingredients together, ensuring even distribution.
6. Whisk the eggs separately, then fold them into the stuffing mixture, creating a cohesive and moist texture.
7. Carefully pack the mixture into the prepared muffin cups, pressing gently to create compact bites.
8. Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, watching for a rich golden-brown crust and crisp edges.
9. Remove from the oven and let rest for a few minutes. Carefully extract the stuffing bites using a butter knife, serving them warm as a delightful side dish or appetizer.

Notes

• Make ahead these delightful bites up to two days in advance and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for easy party prep.
• Use day-old bread or slightly stale bread cubes for the best texture and absorption of savory flavors in the stuffing mixture.
• Choose lean Italian sausage to keep the bites lighter while maintaining rich, robust taste profiles.
• Ensure even cooking by pressing the stuffing mixture firmly into each muffin cup, creating compact and uniform bites.
• Quick tip for extra crispiness: broil the tops for 1-2 minutes after baking to achieve a golden, crunchy exterior.
• Customize the recipe by adding chopped herbs like parsley or experimenting with different sausage varieties for unique flavor combinations.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 180 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 16 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg