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Cozy Sausage and Herb Stuffing Balls: Easy Bite-Size Appetizer Recipe

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These cozy sausage and herb stuffing balls are bite-size comfort food with a crispy exterior and tender, savory interior. Perfect for holiday gatherings, game day snacks, or freezer-friendly meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground pork sausage
  • 3 cups day-old bread cubes (about half a loaf of French bread or sourdough)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced (about 1 cup)
  • 2 celery stalks, finely diced (about 1/2 cup)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon fresh sage, finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
  • 1/4 teaspoon poultry seasoning (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter (for glaze, optional)
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (for garnish, optional)

Instructions

  1. Prep your ingredients: Dice onion and celery into small, even pieces (about 1/4-inch dice). Mince garlic. Chop fresh herbs. Cube bread if not already done.
  2. Sauté the aromatics: Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and celery, cook for about 5 minutes until soft and translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
  3. Combine the base: In a large mixing bowl, combine bread cubes, sautéed vegetables, fresh sage, thyme, parsley, salt, pepper, and poultry seasoning (if using). Toss with your hands until evenly coated.
  4. Add the sausage and binder: Crumble ground sausage into the bowl. Add beaten eggs and chicken broth. Mix with your hands until just combined. Mixture should hold together when pressed but still have texture. If too dry, add another tablespoon of broth; if too wet, add more bread cubes.
  5. Shape the balls: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Using a cookie scoop or two spoons, portion mixture into 1.5-tablespoon-sized balls (about 24-28 balls). Roll gently between palms to smooth. Place on prepared baking sheet, spacing about 1 inch apart.
  6. Sear the balls: Heat the large skillet over medium-high heat with a drizzle of olive oil. Working in batches, add stuffing balls and cook for about 2 minutes per side until deep golden-brown crust forms. Transfer seared balls back to baking sheet.
  7. Finish in the oven: If using butter glaze, brush each ball with melted butter. Bake for 12-15 minutes until cooked through and golden brown (internal temperature should reach 165°F/74°C). Let rest on baking sheet for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Don’t skip the sear—it creates the crispy exterior. For best texture, use day-old bread. If mixture feels too soft, chill for 15-20 minutes before shaping. These freeze beautifully: shape, freeze on baking sheet, transfer to freezer bag, and cook from frozen adding 5 minutes to oven time. Reheat in 350°F oven for 10 minutes or air fryer at 350°F for 5 minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: stuffing balls, sausage appetizer, holiday appetizer, bite-size stuffing, freezer-friendly appetizer, game day snack

Find it online: https://sunnysavory.com/cozy-sausage-and-herb-stuffing-balls-easy-bite-size-appetizer-recipe/