Cody Casey
Air Fryer Sausage Balls are a quick, easy, and delicious snack or appetizer that can be made in a jiffy and are perfect for parties, potlucks, and holidays. They are also incredibly versatile, as you can use any kind of sausage or cheese you like, and can be made gluten-free. You can make these ahead of time and freeze them, and they can be cooked straight from frozen in your air fryer. They are also incredibly easy to make, requiring only a few simple ingredients and very little preparation time.
How to cook frozen sausage balls in an air fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 325F-350F |
| Time | 8-10 minutes or until heated thoroughly |
| Preheat | Not required, but some sources recommend preheating for 5 minutes |
| Batches | Cook in batches to avoid overcrowding |
| Spacing | Leave a little room between each ball to allow airflow |
| Thawing | Not required, but may need to adjust temperature and time to avoid browning |
| Reheating | Reheat in the air fryer for best texture |
| Freezing | Freeze uncooked or cooked sausage balls for up to 3 months |
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What You'll Learn
How to make the sausage mixture
To make the sausage mixture, start by removing the sausage from its casing and crumbling it into a large bowl. You can use any type of ground pork sausage, such as breakfast sausage, or opt for ground turkey, chicken, or beef. If you like your sausage balls spicy, go for a spicy sausage or add some minced garlic. You can also experiment with different flavours, such as sage, maple, or even sweet chili.
Next, add your shredded cheese of choice. Sharp cheddar is a popular option, but you can also use Parmesan, Pepper Jack, Mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or Colby Jack. Freshly grate your cheese for the best results. If you want to add some herbs, finely chop some fresh parsley and rosemary and toss them into the bowl as well.
Now, it's time to mix everything together. Use your hands or a rubber spatula to combine all the ingredients thoroughly. If you're using Bisquick or another baking mix, you might want to add it in a separate step to avoid overworking the gluten, which can result in a tougher texture. Add a little milk or water to bring the mixture together, but be careful not to make it too wet and sticky.
Once your sausage mixture is ready, you can start forming it into balls. Use a cookie scoop or a tablespoon to portion out the mixture, then roll it gently between your palms to create smooth, round balls. Place the sausage balls on a prepared baking sheet or directly into your air fryer basket, and you're almost ready to cook!
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Forming the sausage balls
Forming sausage balls is a simple process, but there are a few key things to keep in mind to ensure they cook evenly and maintain a good texture. Firstly, it is important to ensure your sausage mixture is well-combined but not overmixed. Overmixing can cause the sausage balls to become tough and lose their fluffy texture. Once you have a well-combined mixture, use a 1-tablespoon cookie scoop to scoop out individual portions. The exact size of the balls is up to you, but it's important to keep them uniform so they cook at the same rate. Gently roll each portion into a ball between your palms, then place the shaped sausage balls into your prepared air fryer basket or a baking sheet if you plan to freeze them before cooking. When placing the balls into your air fryer, it is fine for them to touch but avoid stacking them. Leave a little space between each ball to ensure proper airflow and even cooking.
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Cooking the sausage balls in the air fryer
Once your sausage balls are prepared, spray your air fryer basket with olive oil to prevent sticking. Place the sausage balls inside the basket, leaving a little room between each one to ensure the air reaches all sides. It is okay if the sausage balls are touching, but do not stack them.
Set your air fryer to 325°F to 350°F and let it preheat for 5 minutes. Then, air fry for 10-12 minutes, or until golden and crispy. If cooking from frozen, you may need to add a few extra minutes to the cooking time. Use a probe thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the sausage balls has reached 160°F to 165°F.
Once cooked, remove the sausage balls from the air fryer and enjoy! You can serve them as an appetizer with dips or as a snack. They can also be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
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Storing and reheating the sausage balls
When storing, place the cooked sausage balls in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to three to four days. They can also be frozen for later; place the cooled sausage balls in a freezer bag and they will keep for up to one to two months.
To reheat, you can use a microwave or pop them back into the air fryer or oven. For the air fryer and oven, set the temperature to 350°F and heat for about 10 minutes or until heated through. If reheating from frozen, place the desired amount of sausage balls on a baking sheet and heat at 350°F for 10 to 15 minutes.
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Choosing the right ingredients
Meat:
Sausage is the star ingredient in these bite-sized treats. You can use any type of ground sausage, such as pork, chicken, turkey, or beef. If you're a fan of spice, opt for spicy sausage or add red pepper flakes to your mixture. You can also use sausage with casings, like Italian sausage or bratwurst, but remember to remove the casing before mixing. If you want to stick with a classic, go for breakfast sausage. For those who prefer a sweeter flavour, maple sausage is a great option.
Cheese:
Cheese is a key ingredient in sausage balls, adding a creamy texture and savoury flavour. While cheddar cheese is a popular choice, you can also use other varieties such as white cheddar, pepper jack, Colby, or Monterey jack. Freshly shredded cheese is recommended for the best meltiness and texture. However, if you're short on time, pre-shredded cheese will also do the trick.
Baking Mix:
A baking mix like Bisquick is essential to help bind the sausage and cheese together, creating a cohesive mixture that holds its shape during cooking. If you're gluten-intolerant, opt for a gluten-free baking mix to ensure everyone can enjoy your sausage balls.
Milk:
Milk is a handy ingredient to have on hand when making sausage balls. It helps to bind the meat mixture and keeps it from drying out. You can adjust the amount of milk added to your mixture to achieve the desired consistency. If you don't have milk, water can be used as a substitute.
Seasonings:
Don't skimp on the seasonings! Seasoned salt is a great addition to enhance the flavour of your sausage balls. You can also experiment with other seasonings like pepper, thyme, sage, and rosemary to kick things up a notch.
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Frequently asked questions
Place your frozen sausage balls in the air fryer basket, leaving enough space between them for even heating. Set the air fryer to 350°F and increase the cooking time to 8-10 minutes or until thoroughly heated and crispy outside.
It takes around 8-10 minutes to cook frozen sausage balls in an air fryer.
The ideal temperature to cook frozen sausage balls in an air fryer is 350°F.
Yes, you can cook frozen sausage balls in an air fryer.
