If you’re looking for an easy appetizer that everyone will rave about, these cream cheese sausage balls are just the thing. They’re crispy on the outside, tender and flavorful on the inside, and made with just a handful of simple ingredients. Whether you’re hosting a holiday brunch, a game day gathering, or just need a savory snack, these little bites are always a hit. Plus, they freeze beautifully, so you can make them ahead and have them ready when you need them.
First published Nov 16, 2017. Last updated December 17, 2024 for editorial improvements and better instructions.
Table of Contents
- they were a hit
- 🗝️ Key takeaways: why this recipe is your new favorite
- 🧾 Gather your ingredients: what you'll need
- 📖 Make it your own: yummy variations
- 🔪 Step-by-step guide: instructions for success
- Air fryer instructions
- 💭 Insider tips: things to know
- 🎥 Watch and cook: step-by-step video tutorial
- 🥫 Leftover love: how to store and reheat cream cheese sausage balls
- 👩🍳 Let's answer those questions: FAQs
- 📚 More Southern comfort: related recipes you'll love
- 🍽️ No waste: creative ways to repurpose cream cheese sausage balls
- 📞 Wrapping it up: the last word
- 📖 Recipe
- Cream Cheese Sausage Balls
- 💬 Comments
Save this recipe by clicking on the ❤️ heart on the right-hand side of the screen or in the recipe card.
🗝️ Key takeaways: why this recipe is your new favorite
- We love these because they are tender and delicious like the traditional recipe but updated with a pop of flavor from the chiles.
- Delicious appetizer for holidays or snacks for tailgating, Super Bowl, & game day parties
- Sausage balls freeze well so make a big batch and keep them on hand.
These cream cheese sausage balls stay moist and the chiles add a pop of extra flavor.
It's a good thing they're SO easy to make because they're the first thing to disappear at parties!
Make it with spicy pork sausage (or regular depending on how spicy you like it) plus Bisquick mix.
Try them with this Jezebel sauce dipping sauce and some cheese straws or crispy fried pimento cheese balls for crunch!
🧾 Gather your ingredients: what you'll need
This is an overview of the ingredients. You'll find the full measurements and instructions in the green recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.
📖 Make it your own: yummy variations
- I use Jimmy Dean sausage for this recipe but use your own favorite.
- Counting calories? Use turkey sausage instead.
- Make it gluten-free with gluten-free Bisquick.
- Sharp Cheddar is my choice but you can use Pepper Jack, Colby, or whichever cheese you prefer.
- You can use regular or hot bulk sausage - either works just fine. Just make sure it's ground bulk sausage.
- The chiles are optional - feel free to leave them out. Either way, this is the best sausage ball recipe ever.
🔪 Step-by-step guide: instructions for success
This is an overview of the instructions. Full instructions are in the green recipe card at the bottom of the page.
- Mix the cream cheese and sausage in a large
mixing bowl with the paddle attachment on your stand mixer until well blended. - Add in the biscuit mix and continue to blend.
- Now mix in the chiles and shredded cheese.
- Once it's smooth you can form the sausage mixture into balls and place on a parchment paper covered baking sheet.
- Bake at 400 for 12 minutes, or until the interior reads 165 on an insta-read thermometer.
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.
- Follow the instructions above for mixing and shaping the sausage cheese balls.
- Repeat until done.
- Line the bottom of the air fryer with aluminum foil.
- Place the sausage balls on the rack with space in between. Don't crowd them or they won't bake as well.
- Set the air fryer for 6 minutes at 375F. Cook until golden brown - checking often.
💭 Insider tips: things to know
- If you mix the ingredients in the order given it's a lot easier.
- Use a cookie scoop to form them! So easy!
- Lining the baking sheet with parchment paper will keep the sausage balls from sticking and spreading out. It also makes for easy clean up.
- Aluminum foil works well, too.
- Be sure to use a rimmed baking sheet - sometimes there's a little grease during baking.
- Sometimes they stick a little so about halfway through the baking time it's good to turn them over or jiggle them a little bit - but hey... if you forget, no worries.
- Let them sit on paper towels for a couple of minutes when they come out of the oven. This will get rid of any extra grease.
Marye's Tip o' the day
These mix up easier if everything is at room temperature.
🎥 Watch and cook: step-by-step video tutorial
Today we’re whipping up a true Southern classic—sausage balls! Whether you're makin’ 'em for breakfast, game day, or just because it’s Thursday afternoon and you deserve something delicious, this video will walk you through every cheesy, savory step.
They’re quick, easy, and gone faster than gossip at a church potluck.
As always, Restless Chipotle Kitchen is your go-to for down-home recipes that never miss. So grab that baking sheet and let’s get rolling!
🥫 Leftover love: 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.
How to freeze
You can freeze sausage balls unbaked. Shape them and flash-freeze them on a cookie sheet.
When they're frozen put them in a freezer container with parchment between the layers or ziploc bag and freeze for up to 3 months.
When you're ready to eat just take them out, put them on the baking sheet and bake as instructed below - but add about 2 minutes to the total time to ensure they are cooked through.
You can freeze them baked as well. Let the sausage balls come to room temperature and then put them in a freezer container with parchment between the layers.
Either way, the sausage balls stay moist and delicious thanks to the addition of cream cheese.
🤫 Marye's secret for zhuzhing it up
Try using a flavored biscuit mix, like Red Lobster's Cheddar Bay biscuit mix, in place of the regular Bisquick. It really kicks up the flavor.
zhuzh: verb. To make something more interesting or attractive
👩🍳 Let's answer those questions: FAQs
Have other questions? Ask me in the comments!
Yes you can. Freeze them unbaked for up to 3 months. See the freezing instructions above. Let thaw for 10 minutes before baking according to directions. I like to make a big batch during the holidays and freeze some for Super Bowl!
Chill these about 15 minutes before putting them in the oven. That will help. You can also bake them on parchment.
You either overcooked them or, more likely, you added too much baking mix. The sausage ball "dough" is rather sticky. Don't add more than is called for in the recipe.
⏲️ Marye's time saving hacks -
Mix up a double or triple batch. Form them and put them right next to each other on a baking sheet. Slide the baking sheet in the freezer and flash freeze them for about 30 minutes. Once they're frozen put them in a freezer bag to use as needed. When you want to serve them just put them on the parchment covered cookie sheet right from the freezer and bake them for 25 minutes or until they're cooked all the way though.
📚 More Southern comfort: related recipes you'll love
🍽️ No waste: creative ways to repurpose cream cheese sausage balls
Add leftover sausage balls to pasta sauce, lasagna, or hoagie rolls just as if they were meatballs.
📞 Wrapping it up: the last word
Once fall hits it's time to pull out the pork sausage balls recipe!
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!
Honey garlic meatballs are another delicious possibility. I like to make them in smaller sizes for parties.
If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.
If you love this recipe please comment below and give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📖 Recipe
Cream Cheese Sausage Balls
Print Pin Recipe Save Recipe Rate RecipeIngredients
- 1 pound bulk sausage, regular or hot.
- 1 ⅓ cups biscuit baking mix, I use Bisquick Baking Mix but any will do
- 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
- 2 ½ cups extra sharp Cheddar cheese, grated
- 4 ounces chiles, drained and chopped
Instructions
- Let the sausage sit out for about 30 minutes to make it easier to work with.
- Preheat the oven to 400F for sausage balls with a crispy exterior or 350F for a tender exterior.
- Mix the sausage and biscuit mix together with the paddle attachment of your mixer until well blended. You can also mix everything in by hand.
- Add the cream cheese and blend.
- Mix in the cheese and the chiles.
- Form into walnut sized balls and place on baking sheets that are greased or lined with parchment.
- Chill for 15 minutes.
- Bake for 10 to 15 minutes at 425F or 20 to 25 minutes at 350F. Interior temperature will be 165F.
- Remove from the oven and drain on paper towels for a minute or so.
- Pile into a serving dish and serve.
- Refrigerate leftover cream cheese sausage balls promptly.
Air Fryer Instructions
- Follow the mixing and shaping instructions above.
- Line the bottom of an air fryer with aluminum foil for easier cleanup.
- Place the cream cheese sausage balls on the rack. Don't crowd.
- Air fry for 6 minutes at 375F until the interior temperature is 165F.
Notes
- These mix up easier if everything is at room temperature.
- Form with a cookie scoop to keep them uniform in size.
- Lining the baking sheet with parchment will keep the sausage balls from sticking.
- Let them sit on paper towels for a couple of minutes when they come out of the oven. This will get rid of any extra grease.
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition information is estimated as a courtesy. If using for medical purposes, please verify information using your own nutritional calculator. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
This recipe has been tested several times. If you choose to use other ingredients, or change the technique in some way, the results may not be the same.
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Cream Cheese Sausage Balls
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Sheila Johnson says
I made them for Christmas appetizers and they were a bit. Next time I'll use the mixer, even with everything at room temperature it was a workout. Delicious!
Bill Bauer says
Do you think these could be cooked in a smoker to maybe kick 'em up a notch?
Marye says
I don't know Bill, but I don't see why not? Maybe cook them half way in the oven then finish on the smoker?
Louann Worsham says
I made these tonight & they’re really good!
VKeri says
Any suggestions on a dipping sauce?
Marye says
Try the Jezebel sauce here - https://www.restlesschipotle.com/jezebel-sauce/
Or the spicy Remoulade here - https://www.restlesschipotle.com/fried-chicken-poboy-recipe-homemade-remoulade/
OR the spicy avocado remoulade here - https://www.restlesschipotle.com/shrimp-po-boy/