Cream Cheese Sausage Balls Recipe

Cream cheese sausage balls aren't hors d'oeuvres, they're survival food for the holidays, game days, and family gatherings where carbs double as emotional support. Bake 'em in the oven or pop 'em in the air fryer - either way, these porky little miracles vanish quicker than Aunt Patsy's wig in a tornado.

Table of Contents

• 🎥 Watch how fast these sausage balls come together
• 🗝️ What makes these Bisquick sausage balls legendary
• 🧾 Ingredients for Bisquick sausage balls with cream cheese
• 📖 Recipe
• 🔪 How to make Bisquick sausage balls with cream cheese
• Air fryer instructions
• 🥫 How to store and reheat cream cheese sausage balls
• Can I freeze sausage balls?
• 👩‍🍳 Sausage ball troubleshooting guide
• 📚 More Southern comfort: related recipes you'll love
• 💬 Comments

🎥 Watch how fast these sausage balls come together

Because sometimes reading directions feels like homework. Hit play, watch the magic, and see just how quickly pork, cheese, and a little Bisquick turn into the holiday snack that keeps Christmas chaos (and hungry relatives) under control.

🗝️ What makes these Bisquick sausage balls legendary

• Cheesy, porky perfection. Crispy on the outside, tender inside, and unapologetically Southern.
• Party-proof. They disappear faster than holiday fudge, so make a double batch or prepare for mutiny.
• Versatile as all get-out. Bake or air fry- whichever method matches your patience level (or lack thereof).
• Make-ahead magic. Sausage balls made with cream cheese and Bisquick can be frozen raw or cooked and pulled out when you need last-minute snacks.
• Crowd-pleasing classic. These little bites bridge generations - Grandma, the kids, and even your kale-loving cousin will grab a handful.

Try them with this Jezebel sauce dipping sauce.

🧾 Ingredients for Bisquick sausage balls with cream cheese

You don't need a mile-long shopping list to pull these off - just a handful of simple ingredients that somehow transform into bite-sized magic. Think porky, cheesy, biscuit-y goodness all rolled up into the kind of appetizer people hover around like it's the last lifeboat on the Titanic.

• Bulk pork sausage - Jimmy Dean spicy is the gold standard. Mild works too, but don't expect the in-laws to be impressed.
• Cream cheese - Makes the texture smoother than Uncle Bobby's holiday flirting after two of Grampa's special eggnogs.
• Bisquick - Shortcut magic that's been rescuing holiday hostesses since the 1950s.
• Cheddar - Go sharp or go home. Holiday cheese trays may tolerate bland cheddar cubes, but sausage balls demand flavor with bite.
• Chiles (optional) - For when you want your Christmas appetizer tray to pack a little extra "ho-ho-heat."

For extra tips, hacks, FAQs and more download this free cream cheese sausage balls recipe kitchen cheat sheet.

📖 Recipe

🔪 How to make Bisquick sausage balls with cream cheese

Nothing complicated - just mix, roll, and cook until golden and done all the way through. Bonus: these little beauties freeze like a dream, so you can stash a batch ahead of the holidays. Pull 'em out when company "drops by" or when you need an appetizer that makes you look way more organized than you actually are.

1. Toss that cream cheese and sausage into the bowl of your stand mixer and let the paddle attachment do the heavy lifting - nobody's got time to hand-mash pork and dairy. Beat it until it looks like they actually like each other.
2. Dump in the Bisquick and keep it going until everything's well mixed.
3. Next, stir in the chiles (if you're the spicy type) and a generous heap of shredded sharp cheddar.
4. Once it's smooth, scoop and roll into bite-sized balls of joy, then line 'em up on a parchment-covered baking sheet like little soldiers.
5. Slide the tray into a 400°F oven and bake about 12 minutes, or until an instant-read thermometer says 165°F. Translation: they're hot, safe, and ready to vanish.

Air fryer instructions

I think these are the best sausage balls ever when made the traditional way but you can also make them in the air fryer.

1. Mix and roll your sausage balls just like above - yes, it's messy, yes, it's worth it. Keep going until you've got a tray full of little porky treasures.
2. Line the bottom of your air fryer with foil unless you enjoy scrubbing melted cheese out of tiny crevices (you don't).
3. Load the rack, but give them some breathing room. These are sausage balls, not rush hour traffic. Crowding = soggy sadness.
4. Set the air fryer to 375°F for about 6 minutes. Peek often, because these babies go from golden brown perfection to crime scene charcoal faster than you'd think.

🥫 How to store and reheat cream cheese sausage balls

Store unbaked sausage balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Put parchment paper between any layers.

Once they're baked let them come to room temperature. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 4 days.

To reheat

So you've got leftovers (rare, but it happens) or you were smart enough to freeze a stash. Here's how to bring them back to life without ending up with sad, rubbery meatballs.

• Oven (best choice): Preheat to 350°F, spread the sausage balls on a baking sheet, and warm them for about 10 minutes. They'll taste almost fresh-baked - crispy edges, melty centers, zero regrets.
• Air fryer (fast + crispy): 350°F for 4-5 minutes. Watch them closely, because these little guys brown fast.
• Microwave (last resort): 20-30 seconds max. They'll heat, but don't expect the crispy magic. This method is for hangry emergencies only.

Pro tip: if they look a little dry, brush with melted butter before reheating. Works like a charm.

Can I freeze sausage balls?

Absolutely - these little porky nuggets are freezer-friendly whether you bake them first or not.

• Unbaked: Roll 'em into balls, spread them out on a cookie sheet, and flash-freeze until solid. Then toss them in a freezer container or zip-top bag with parchment between the layers. They'll keep for up to 3 months. When you're ready, bake straight from frozen - just add a couple of extra minutes so they cook through.
• Baked: Let them cool to room temp, then pack them up with parchment between layers and freeze. Same 3-month window.

Either way, they thaw and reheat like a dream, staying moist and cheesy thanks to that cream cheese trick. Translation: holiday hostess magic without the holiday meltdown.

👩‍🍳 Sausage ball troubleshooting guide

Here's the no-nonsense, straight-from-the-kitchen scoop. Have other questions? Ask me in the comments!

📚 More Southern comfort: related recipes you'll love

If sausage balls are your jam, these will be right up your alley:

• Pimento cheese sausage balls - Because regular sausage balls are good, but pimento cheese takes them from "snack" to "Southern royalty."
• Honey garlic meatballs - Sweet, sticky, savory little miracles that vanish faster than the party ice.
• Cranberry sauce meatballs - Festive, tangy, and the easiest way to make people think you actually planned ahead.

These delicious cream cheese sausage balls are perfect for tailgating, game day parties, and every family get-together right through the holiday season.

No matter what you're celebrating this finger food is the perfect appetizer!