The BEST Cream Cheese Sausage Balls Recipe (No Bisquick!) - Butter & Baggage (2024)

A staple Southern party food, cream cheese sausage balls are one of the most versatile finger foods you can make with pantry staples. And while most recipes add in Bisquick, this simple recipe skips the pre-packaged mix and makes these from scratch – and you won’t believe how easy it is!

No Bisquick Needed for Delicious Sausage Balls

This sausage ball recipe uses flour, baking powder, and salt to replace the Bisquick mixture. Simple ingredients, right? So there’s no reason to buy a box of Bisquick that’s full of additives and trans fats. I also use cream cheese and extra sharp cheddar for a ton of tangy deliciousness!

No dips necessary with all that flavor, but you can serve these with honey mustard, barbecue sauce, ranch, or your favorite dipping sauce.

This is similar to my traditional sausage ball recipe except for the addition of cream cheese. You might think the added cheese would make them greasy but it doesn’t. Instead it makes them super moist and soft with a texture similar to pimento cheese sausage balls.

The last time I made these, I served them on an appetizer table alongside buffalo chicken wings and some homemade pimento cheese and crackers.There was almost nothing left at the end, and it was one of our best appetizer dinners to date!

Of course they’re also great for breakfast. We always have sausage balls on Christmas morning while opening presents. They go great with homemade cinnamon rolls.

What’s Not to Love about Cream Cheese Sausage Balls

Perfect Party Food:Seriously, I’ve never met any meat-eater who didn’t love these little bites of heaven. 2-bites of savory goodness in every ball, these are finger food perfection.

Just 6 Simple Ingredients:Since these just use sausage, cheese, and cream cheese along with a few pantry staples, they’re simple to make, and they don’t break the bank.

Easy to customize:Want these a little spicier? No problem! More savory? That’s easy! Keep reading for more ideas.

​How to Serve Cream Cheese Sausage Balls

Not sure what to serve with your sausage balls? Well… the first thing to know is that you don’t need to serve them with anything. Just pop those babies in your mouth! They’re a completely suitable snack all on their own.

However, they’re also so versatile you can serve them for breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, a snack, or as an appetizer. Literally, any time of day.

In the morning, serve alongside scrambled eggs, quiche, or potatoes for a complete meal. They’re fast to make, and you don’t have to stand over the stove dodging bacon splatter. You can also just serve them with a simple fruit salad.

You can pop these in your kids’ lunch boxes. Yes, they will be fine cold or at room temperature.

And, of course, set a bowl of these in front of your friends on game day and watch them disappear. They pair well with any appetizer.

A Few Recipe Notes

Before you begin making this recipe, here are a few tips to make sure your sausage balls come out perfectly.

• These sausage balls have breakfast sausage, cream cheese, and cheddar in them. I highly encourage you to remove these ingredients from the fridge and allow them to come to room temperature. This makes it so much easier to combine the ingredients.
• Buy a sharp cheddar. Extra sharp if you can. The flavor of mild or medium cheddar tends to get lost, so a sharp cheddar is really the way to go.
• You can use your hands to mix the ingredients but a stand mixer makes it easy as pie.

Cream Cheese Sausage Balls Ingredients

• Breakfast sausage –​ I prefer a local brand, Neese’s, but if you don’t live in the Carolinas or Virginia, find a brand that’s local to you or buy breakfast sausage at the meat counter in you grocery store. Whole Foods and Fresh Market both make a great breakfast sausage.
• Sharp cheddar​- You should grate your own for this recipe so that it melts when they cook.
• Cream cheese –​ I always find full-fat cream cheese tastes and cooks better in recipes, so if you can, choose a block of regular cream cheese.
• Pantry staples –Flour, baking powder, salt.

How to Make Cream Cheese Sausage Balls Without Using Bisquick

Step 1. Mix together the pantry staples.

If you have a stand mixer, it works great, but you can also use your hands. Whisk together the dry ingredients

Step 2. Make the sausage mixture.

Fit your stand mixer with a dough hook. Otherwise, you can use your hands to combine the sausage mixture. Add room-temperature cream cheese and cheedar cheese to the flour and mix until the flour is fully incorporated.

Add in the breakfast sausage and mix until it’s well combined, but don’t overmix.

Step 3. Bake the sausage balls.

Roll the mixture into balls. Use about 1 tablespoon of the sausage mixture for each sausage ball. A measuring spoon or a small cookie scoop works well. If you don’t have a portion scoop, try to keep the balls a small, uniform size so they bake evenly. Set the balls on a baking sheet and bake them in a preheated oven for 15 minutes. They should look slightly brown. You can flip one over and look at the bottom. It should be golden brown where it was sitting on the tray. When they’re fully cooked, remove them from the oven. Serve hot or warm.

Recipe Variations

The best thing about this recipe is how easy it is to customize. I think that’s also why it’s a popular recipe down here in the South. You can easily adjust the recipe. Here are some ideas I’ve seen, but I’d encourage you to experiment with your favorite seasonings and flavors.

Make them spicier:Use spicy pork sausage instead of regular sausage to add heat. Incorporate diced jalapeños, red pepper flakes, or a pinch of cayenne pepper to add a little kick of heat.

Add savory flavor:A ½ tsp of onion and garlic powder adds plenty of savory flavor. Add fresh herbs like parsley, chives, and thyme to give the sausage balls a more vibrant, breakfast taste.

Cheese varieties:Mix in different flavorful cheeses like smoked Gouda, Parmesan, or Asiago alongside the cheddar for a more complex cheese flavor. Avoid mild cheeses, though.

Dipping sauces:Serve them with your favorite dipping sauces. Try sriracha mayo, garlic aioli, or honey mustard.

If you have leftovers(that’s a big ‘if’),you can save them for later. In fact, you can make these ahead for breakfasts and lunches or even freeze them. Here’s how:

How to Store Sausage Balls

In the fridge:​ If you’re going to use up your sausage balls within 2-3 days, storing them in the fridge in an airtight container is a good option.

In the freezer:These freeze really well, so they’re great for meal prepping. You can make a double batch so you have an easy appetizer or meal on hand for another day. Place your fully cooled sausage balls in a Ziploc freezer bag or airtight container. They’ll stay fresh in the fridge for 2-3 months.

How to reheat:Sprinkle with a little water and microwave them in 30-second bursts until hot. You can also use the oven at 350° F for 10-15 minutes or until hot. Keep an eye on them so they don’t overcook.

See Also

Easy Pumpkin Pie Recipe Perfect for All Occasions!

More Appetizer Recipes We Can’t Make Enough Of

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