Air Fryer Sausage Balls: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Sausage balls are a delicious snack or appetiser that can be made in an air fryer in just 20 minutes. They are a perfect blend of sausage and cheese, rolled into bite-sized balls and cooked until golden brown. You can use any type of ground sausage and cheese to make these sausage balls, and they can be served as an appetiser, a snack, or even a main course.

Choosing the right sausage

Type of Sausage

The most commonly used sausage for sausage balls is ground pork sausage. However, you can experiment with different types of ground sausage, such as mild Italian sausage, breakfast sausage, or even spicy options like hot spiced sausage. Just ensure that you select a ground sausage variety, as cooked smoked sausage won't work for this recipe.

Flavour and Spiciness

The beauty of sausage balls is that you can customise their flavour to your liking. If you prefer a milder taste, opt for a breakfast sausage or a mild Italian sausage. For those who enjoy a kick, go for hot or spicy sausage options. You can also enhance the spiciness by adding seasonings like cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes.

Freshness

When it comes to sausage, freshness is key. Look for raw, ground sausage meat that is either refrigerated or frozen. Avoid using pre-cooked or smoked sausage, as it won't yield the desired results. If you're using breakfast sausage links, simply remove the casing before mixing the meat with other ingredients.

Brand Options

Several brands offer ground sausage that works well for sausage balls. Some popular options include Jimmy Dean, Bob Evans, and Tennessee Pride. You can also find ground sausage at Walmart and other grocery stores, either in the meat section or the freezer aisle.

Quantity

For a standard batch of sausage balls, you'll typically need around 1 pound (16 ounces) of ground sausage. However, feel free to adjust the quantity based on the number of servings you wish to make. Remember, the sausage is the star of this dish, so ensure you have enough to create those juicy, flavourful sausage balls!

Remember to check the ingredients and nutritional information on the sausage packaging to ensure it aligns with your dietary preferences and requirements. Happy cooking!

Preparing the mixture

To make sausage balls in an air fryer, you'll need to prepare a mixture of ground sausage, shredded cheese, Bisquick or flour, and seasonings. You can also add milk or water to help bind the mixture. Here's a step-by-step guide to preparing the mixture:

Start by opening the package of ground sausage and crumbling it into a large bowl. You can use breakfast sausage, spicy sausage, or any ground sausage of your choice. If you're using sausage in casing, like Italian sausage or bratwurst, remove the casing before mixing. For a spicier kick, opt for a spicy variety of sausage.

Next, add the shredded cheese to the bowl. You can use sharp cheddar cheese, Colby Jack, Monterey Jack, or any shredded cheese you prefer. Freshly shredded cheese tends to melt better, so consider grating your own if you have a block of cheese.

Now, it's time to add the dry ingredients. You can use a baking mix like Bisquick, or you can make your own by combining flour, butter, and salt. If using Bisquick, you'll need about 1 cup. If making your own baking mix, use 1 cup of flour and slice or grate 1/4 cup of cold butter, adding it to the flour.

At this point, you can also add some seasonings to enhance the flavor. A teaspoon of seasoned salt, such as Lawry's, is a great option. You can also add a pinch of black pepper. If you're using plain sausage, you may want to add more seasonings like thyme, sage, rosemary, garlic powder, or onion powder.

Finally, add a liquid ingredient to help bind the mixture. You can use milk, water, or even sour cream. About 1/4 cup should be enough. If you're using milk, whole milk or skim milk will work.

Now, it's time to mix everything together. Use your hands or a spoon to combine all the ingredients well. Make sure the cheese and dry ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the sausage mixture. Don't overmix, as this can make the sausage balls tough. If the mixture becomes too warm and the butter starts to melt, chill it in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes before continuing.

Once your mixture is ready, you can start forming it into balls. Use a cookie scoop or a spoon to portion out the mixture, then gently roll it between your palms to create balls of a uniform size. Aim for approximately 2-inch balls, or use a scoop that holds about 3 tablespoons of the mixture.

Place the uncooked sausage balls on a plate or a sheet of parchment paper until you've prepared enough to fill your air fryer basket. Now, you're ready to move on to the cooking process.

Shaping the balls

Shaping the sausage balls is a crucial step in achieving the perfect texture and cooking them evenly. Here's a detailed guide on shaping the sausage balls for your air fryer:

To start, gather your sausage mixture. You should have a bowl containing your ground sausage, shredded cheese, Bisquick or flour, seasonings, and liquid ingredients like milk or water. Using your hands, incorporate all the ingredients well until they form a uniform mixture. It is important to mix thoroughly but avoid overmixing, as this can make the sausage balls tough.

Once your mixture is ready, it's time to start shaping the balls. Using a cookie scoop or a tablespoon, scoop out portions of the mixture. The amount you scoop will depend on your desired size for the balls. For a standard size, aim for around 1 tablespoon or 3 tablespoons for larger balls.

After scooping, gently roll the mixture between your palms to form a ball. The rolling motion will help create a smooth, rounded shape. Place the shaped balls on a plate or a piece of parchment paper. If you're using a cookie scoop, you can also roll them gently in your palms to ensure a perfect spherical shape.

As you shape the balls, keep in mind that they should be roughly the same size to ensure even cooking. You can use a cookie scoop or ice cream scoop to achieve uniform sizes. This is important because differently sized balls will cook at different rates, and you want to avoid undercooking or overcooking.

Continue shaping the sausage mixture into balls until you've used up all the mixture. If you're making a large batch, you might need to cook the sausage balls in multiple batches to avoid overcrowding your air fryer.

Once you've shaped all the balls, they're ready to be placed in the air fryer basket. Remember to spray the basket with olive oil or another suitable cooking spray to prevent sticking. Arrange the sausage balls in a single layer, making sure they are not stacked on top of each other. There can be light touching, but adequate airflow between the balls is essential for even cooking.

Now your sausage balls are shaped and ready for the air fryer! Remember to follow the cooking instructions for your chosen recipe, and enjoy your delicious, crispy treat!

Cooking in the air fryer

Now that you've gathered your ingredients, it's time to cook your sausage balls in the air fryer. Here's a step-by-step guide:

• Preheat your air fryer: If you're using an air fryer, preheating is generally not necessary. However, if your air fryer has a preheat function, you can set it to the hottest setting for about 10 minutes. This helps prevent sticking.
• Prepare the dough: In a large bowl, mix the ground sausage, shredded cheese, Bisquick or baking mix, and seasonings. You can use your hands or a pastry cutter to combine the ingredients until a dough starts to form. Avoid overmixing to prevent the sausage balls from becoming tough.
• Form the sausage balls: Use a cookie scoop or a tablespoon to portion out the dough into evenly sized balls. Gently roll them between your palms to shape them into round balls. Place the formed sausage balls on a piece of parchment paper or a plate while you prepare the rest.
• Prepare the air fryer basket: Spray the air fryer basket with olive oil or another type of cooking spray to prevent sticking. You can also line the basket with parchment paper or use parchment paper liners.
• Place the sausage balls in the air fryer: Arrange the sausage balls in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not overcrowded. Leave some space between them to allow for even cooking. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in batches.
• Cook the sausage balls: Set the air fryer temperature to 350°F (175°C) and cook the sausage balls for about 10 minutes. For smaller sausage balls, 5 minutes on each side should be sufficient. For larger sausage balls, you may need to increase the cooking time, but be careful not to burn the outside.
• Check for doneness: To ensure that your sausage balls are fully cooked, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. The sausage balls are done when the internal temperature reaches at least 160°F to 190°F. Alternatively, you can cut one open to verify that the meat is cooked through.
• Serve: Remove the sausage balls from the air fryer and let them cool slightly. Serve them hot or at room temperature. Enjoy them as an appetizer, snack, or breakfast with your favourite dipping sauce!

Your air fryer sausage balls are now ready to be devoured! These tasty treats are perfect for any occasion and can be easily customized with different types of sausage and cheese. Enjoy experimenting with this versatile recipe!

Dipping sauces

Sausage balls are a versatile snack that can be served with a variety of dipping sauces. Here are some ideas for dipping sauces to serve with air-fried sausage balls:

• Honey mustard sauce: This classic pairing is a perfect combination of sweet and tangy, and it can be made as mild or spicy as you like. Try mixing mayonnaise, spicy mustard, and honey to taste.
• Remoulade sauce: A Creole-inspired dipping sauce made with grainy or Creole mustard, garlic, creamed horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, Creole seasoning, and fresh parsley.
• BBQ sauce: A classic, smoky, and slightly sweet option that pairs well with the savoury sausage balls.
• Ranch dressing: A cool and creamy contrast to the spicy sausage balls.
• Comeback sauce, aioli, sweet chili sauce, or a baja chipotle sauce are also great options for dipping sausage balls.

Frequently asked questions