When you’re in need of a quick and delicious appetizer or snack, look no further than these Air Fryer Sausage Balls. They are easy to make, cook in no time, and are guaranteed to please any crowd. Imagine the perfect combination of biscuit, sausage, and melted cheese all rolled into one bite-sized treat – that’s what these sausage balls are all about. Serve them with your favorite dipping sauce or try the honey mustard sauce that I recommend. These sausage balls are perfect for any holiday gathering or game day event when you need an easy and tasty appetizer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ingredients & Substitutions
Sausage
I’ve experimented with different types of sausage, and any ground pork sausage, except for chorizo, will work well in this recipe. You can use breakfast sausage like Jimmy Dean or Tennessee Pride. If you prefer sausage in a casing, Italian sausage or bratwurst will also work. Just make sure to remove the casing before mixing it with other ingredients. If you like it spicy, opt for a spicy sausage. Alternatively, ground pork, ground turkey, ground chicken, or ground beef can be used. Just remember to add seasonings like salt, pepper, thyme, sage, rosemary leaves, garlic powder, and onion powder to the mixture to ensure it’s well seasoned.
Cheese
You can use any shredded cheese of your choice. Cheddar, Parmesan, or a blend of cheeses like cheddar and Monterey Jack work well. For a spicier twist, try using Pepperjack cheese.
Biscuit Ingredients
The third component of the sausage balls is the biscuit dough, which holds everything together and gives that perfect crunchy texture. Many people use Bisquick baking mix, but in this recipe, I prefer using plain flour with a few additional ingredients, such as butter, salt, and sour cream. If you prefer using Bisquick, omit the butter and salt, and use 1 cup of Bisquick mixed with sour cream and half-and-half until the mixture holds together. If you have prepared biscuit dough like crescent dough, cut it into small pieces, press the cheese and sausage into the dough, and then form the balls. You can substitute whole milk or even skim milk for the half-and-half in the recipe.
Gluten-Free Version: If you’d like to make a gluten-free version, I believe a gluten-free flour that works in a 1:1 ratio would work well, although I haven’t tested it yet. Give it a try and let me know how it turns out!
Dairy-Free Version: To make a dairy-free version, replace the butter with 1-2 tablespoons of your preferred oil, use water instead of half-and-half, and opt for a dairy-free yogurt or sour cream substitute.
Keto Version: For a keto-friendly option, add an egg and 1 cup of almond flour to the mixture. Replace the sour cream and half-and-half with cream cheese (about 4 ounces). Please note that I haven’t tested this version yet, so let me know how it works if you give it a try!
Oven Method Sausage & Cheddar Balls
Although I love using the air fryer for this recipe, the oven method is also an option if you need to make a larger batch. Here’s how:
- Preheat the oven to 400℉/200℃.
- Line a baking sheet or cookie sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Prepare the sausage mixture as instructed in the recipe and form the sausage balls.
- Place the sausage cheese balls on the lined tray.
- Bake at 400℉/200℃ for approximately 12-15 minutes or until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 190℉/88℃ or greater.
- Remove from the tray and let them cool on a rack until ready to serve. Enjoy!
How to Make the Recipe
Sausage & Cheese Mixture
Start by preheating your air fryer on the hottest temperature for at least 10 minutes. This will help prevent sticking. Then, follow these steps:
- In a large bowl, combine 1 cup of flour with 1/4 cup of sliced or grated butter. Add 8 ounces of sausage and mix it with the flour and butter using a pastry cutter or your hands.
- The goal is to create small pebbles of flour-coated sausage and butter, much like when making biscuits. Avoid overmixing or melting the butter.
- Add salt, pepper, 1/4 cup of sour cream, and 2 tablespoons of half-and-half or milk to the bowl of sausage mixture. Mix until all the flour is incorporated.
- Fold in the shredded cheese until a dough starts to form. Be careful not to overmix. If the mixture becomes too warm and the butter starts to melt, refrigerate the bowl for 10 minutes before continuing.
Forming the Sausage Balls
I recommend using a large scoop to measure out approximately 2-inch balls of the sausage mixture. Place the sausage balls on a piece of parchment paper until the air fryer is preheated, and you have enough balls to fit in a single layer. The number of sausage balls you can fit will depend on the size of your air fryer. Remember, larger balls will require longer cooking times.
Air Frying the Sausage Balls
Once the air fryer has preheated for a full 10 minutes, lightly spritz the air fryer basket with oil and place the sausage balls in a single layer. You can also use parchment paper liners to prevent sticking. Set the air fryer to 350℉/175℃ and air fry for 5 minutes. Flip the sausage balls over using tongs and air fry for an additional 5 minutes.
The sausage balls should be golden brown, with an internal temperature of 190℉/88℃ or greater. This ensures that the sausage is fully cooked and the dough is done. Remove the sausage balls from the air fryer and let them cool on a rack before serving. They can be served hot or at room temperature, but for food safety reasons, they shouldn’t sit out for more than 2 hours.
Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce Recipe
If you’re looking for a delicious dipping sauce to pair with your sausage balls, try this quick and easy honey mustard recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons spicy mustard (spicy brown mustard or Dijon mustard)
Directions:
Whisk all the ingredients together in a medium-sized bowl and refrigerate until ready to use.
More Air Fryer Recipes
If you love recipes like this, here are several more appetizers and snacks that can be made in your air fryer!
