Sharp Cheddar Sausage Balls
Delightful bite-sized appetizers packed with savory pork sausage, sharp cheddar, fresh sage, and subtle spices, perfect for holiday parties or any festive occasion.
Equipment
- 1 Rimmed baking sheet large
- 1 mixing bowl
- 1 whisk
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour spooned and leveled
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 cup coarsely grated yellow onion
- 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese grated (about 2 cups)
- 1 pound loose pork breakfast sausage
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage
- Small fresh sage leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.
- Add grated onion, sharp cheddar, pork sausage, melted butter, and chopped sage to the dry ingredients.
- Mix all ingredients until fully combined, preferably using clean hands for best results.
- Scoop about 1 tablespoon of the mixture per sausage ball onto a large rimmed baking sheet, spacing them 1 inch apart.
- Gently press a small sage leaf on top of each sausage ball for garnish.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 23 to 25 minutes, or until sausage balls are golden brown.
Notes
- Use clean hands to mix ingredients evenly for best texture.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 3 days.
- For a spicy option, increase cayenne pepper slightly.
- These sausage balls freeze well; bake from frozen adding extra few minutes.