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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- Warm the oven to a gentle 300 degrees F and prepare a muffin tin with a light coating of butter or cooking spray.
- 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.
- Crumble and brown the Italian sausage in a skillet, ensuring it’s fully cooked through. Transfer the meat to a large mixing bowl.
- 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.
- 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.
- Whisk the eggs separately, then fold them into the stuffing mixture, creating a cohesive and moist texture.
- Carefully pack the mixture into the prepared muffin cups, pressing gently to create compact bites.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, watching for a rich golden-brown crust and crisp edges.
- 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