Sausage Balls (without Bisquick)

My easy Sausage Balls recipe is made without Bisquick, yielding delightfully salty, cheesy, meaty little bites using pantry basics. All you need are 10 simple ingredients, 10 minutes of active prep and a single ball, making them the ideal holiday appetizer—no-stress, but guaranteed to impress!

When it comes to holiday carousing, all I need is a hefty glass of wine and a good assortment of finger foods for snacking. Stick me in front of a plate of cheesy sausage balls, cranberry turkey stuffing balls, and a bowl of cranberry jalapeño cream cheese dip with a fruity malbec and I’m set for the night. 

What I love about this recipe for sausage balls—aside from it being ridiculously easy—is that it’s made with plain flour and baking powder rather than a box of Bisquick. What’s the difference, you ask? My simplified whole-food version omits unnecessary additions like palm oil, dextrose, and monoglycerides. As an RDN who likes to eat clean, that’s a big difference!

But the healthy swaps don’t stop there. I also sub in turkey sausage instead of pork sausage, significantly reducing the fat and calories. Don’t worry, though. You’ll still get an impressive 8 grams of protein per ball, laying down a nice foundation for all the liquid holiday cheer. 🧑‍🎄🍻Oh, and at under 30 cents per ball, they’re totally doable even when Santa went a little overboard.

Jump to:

• What do they taste like?
• Why You’ll Love This Easy Appetizer Recipe
• Ingredients Needed
• Substitutions
• How To Make Sausage Balls Without Bisquick
• Optional Variations & Dietary Adjustments
• Serving Suggestions
• Recipe Success Tips
• Storage Directions
• Sausage Cheddar Balls Nutrition
• Pricing Info
• FAQs
• Other Holiday Recipes
• Recipe

What do they taste like?

These sausage cheese balls are tasty, poppable little bites of comfort. They’re lightly crisp and golden on the outside, tender and fluffy inside, with just the right balance of savory meatiness and sharp, melty cheddar richness. Each bite delivers a yummy breakfast-meets-party-snack vibe: hearty, salty, and satisfying. 

Whether you serve them warm from the oven or at room temperature, homemade sausage balls taste like pure comfort food—it’s impossible to eat just one. Bring a batch to any party and they’ll disappear faster than the wrapping paper from your kid’s first present!

Why You’ll Love This Easy Appetizer Recipe

• Budget-Friendly – At just 29 cents per bite, these sausage cheddar balls are perfect for sharing. They’re big on flavor, low on cost!
• Customizable & Crowd-Pleasing – Speaking of sharing, these pork-free treats are built for the masses. Who can resist sausage and cheese? They’re also easy to customize to suit just about any diet—make them gluten-free or dairy-free with easy tweaks. 
• Better-For-You – All you need are 10 simple whole-food ingredients and a few smart diet swaps to get old-fashioned sausage balls on the Nice List.

Ingredients Needed

• Turkey Sausage – I love that turkey sausage has all the flavor of regular sausage, but with a leaner profile. Feel free to use either bulk or patty sausage, or link sausage so long as it’s raw and you can remove it from its casing. You can also experiment with breakfast sausage or mild or spicy Italian sausage.
• Cheddar Cheese – If possible, grate your own cheese for the best meltability. You’re welcome to use mild, medium, or sharp cheddar. Either white or orange works!
• All-Purpose Flour – We need a little bit of starchiness to help bind the balls together. 
• Whole Milk – Liquid helps the flour do its job, and milk adds a bit of acidity and fat for a more tender consistency. 
• Italian Seasoning – Multiple herbs mixed in one bottle makes for easy prep.
• Baking Powder – Just a hint of leavener helps the sausage balls puff up a bit, yielding a fluffier texture.
• Garlic Powder & Onion Powder – This allium duo adds sweetness and complexity without having to mess with papery skins or watery eyes.
• Salt & Black Pepper – Just the basics! Make sure to use freshly cracked black pepper for the best results.

Substitutions

• Turkey Sausage – Feel free to substitute chicken sausage, pork sausage or beef sausage if you prefer.
• Cheddar Cheese – Any melty cheese like colby, havarti, swiss, or Monterey Jack will do the trick!
• All-Purpose Flour, Baking Powder & Salt – Together, these ingredients make self rising flour. Feel free to swap it in for all 3.
• Whole Milk – You’re welcome to use a lower-percentage dairy milk or the unsweetened plant-based milk of your choice.
• Italian Seasoning – Make your own salt free Italian seasoning blend with single herbs in your pantry. Or, experiment with your own blend of herbs and spices!
• Garlic Powder & Onion Powder – In a pinch, garlic and onion flakes will do. If possible, grind them in a clean coffee or spice grinder first for better distribution.
• Black Pepper – White pepper makes a nice substitute if needed.

How To Make Sausage Balls Without Bisquick

Step 1: Prep. Preheat your oven to 350°F, line a baking sheet with parchment paper, and add all of the ingredients to a large mixing bowl.

Step 2: Mix. Use your hands or a sturdy (non-wooden) spoon to mix everything together until the ingredients are evenly combined and a thick dough forms.

Step 3: Scoop the mixture into 24 even balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them slightly apart.

Step 4: Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through to 165ºF. Let cool slightly before serving.st of step info.

Optional Variations & Dietary Adjustments

• Gluten-Free. Swap the all-purpose flour for a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend or oat flour. Both options will help bind the mixture while keeping a fluffy, tender texture.
• Dairy-Free. Use your favorite dairy-free cheese shreds and a plant-based milk (like unsweetened almond or oat milk). A sprinkle of nutritional yeast can add extra cheesy flavor.
• Allium-Free. Simply omit the garlic and onion powders. For depth of flavor, you can replace them with a pinch of asafoetida, smoked paprika and/or dried basil.
• Reduced Fat – Use part-skim cheddar or mozzarella and lean turkey or chicken sausage. 
• Spicy – Add a dash of crushed red pepper flakes or use spicy Italian sausage to give your sausage balls a little kick.
• Herby – Mix in chopped fresh parsley or rosemary for an aromatic boost.

Serving Suggestions

These Sausage Cheese Balls are incredibly versatile—perfect as a party appetizer, game-day snack, or even a quick breakfast. Serve them warm, straight from the oven, when the cheese is melty and the edges are golden. They’re great with dipping sauces like greek yogurt ranch dressing, spicy ranch dressing, hot honey vinaigrette, and low-sodium marinara. 

They’re crowd-pleasers wherever they go, but are just as delicious the next day if you’re lucky enough to have leftovers. For brunch, try serving them alongside aebleskivers (round, bite-sized Danish pancakes) or donut holes, instant pot egg bites, and fresh fruit. Or, flatten them slightly and stuff them into mini biscuits with fried quail eggs to make cute breakfast sandwich sliders.

You can also make them the star of an appetizer spread with other small bites like buffalo cauliflower bites, crispy sweet potato wedges, instant pot buffalo chicken dip, and charcuterie skewers. If you’re entertaining, keep them warm in a slow cooker on the “low” setting—just add a little parchment or foil at the bottom to prevent sticking.

Recipe Success Tips

• Use freshly grated cheese. Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that prevent it from melting smoothly. Grating your own ensures the best texture and flavor, plus it’s usually cheaper!
• Mix thoroughly but don’t overwork. You want the ingredients evenly combined, but overmixing can make the sausage balls dense instead of tender.
• Even size = even baking. Use a cookie scoop to portion the sausage balls so they cook evenly and all finish at the same time.
• Keep your hands lightly oiled or wet. If the mixture feels sticky, a quick spritz of cooking spray or damp hands will make shaping much easier.
• Bake on parchment. This helps the sausage balls crisp up on the bottom while preventing sticking and making clean-up a breeze.
• Check for doneness. The sausage balls are ready when they’re golden brown and reach 165°F.

Storage Directions

• Refrigeration. Store cooled sausage cheese balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Freezing. To freeze, place the cooked or uncooked sausage balls on a parchment-lined tray until solid, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep for up to 3 months.
• Reheating. Warm cooked sausage balls in a 350°F oven for 8-10 minutes, or until heated through. You can also reheat them in the air fryer at 350°F for 5-6 minutes for a crispier exterior.
• Bake from frozen. If baking unbaked frozen sausage balls, add an extra 5-7 minutes to the bake time—no need to thaw first.
• Make-ahead tip. You can mix and shape the sausage balls a day in advance, then refrigerate them until you’re ready to bake. A pro move for holiday mornings or game-day prep!

Sausage Cheddar Balls Nutrition

Each cheesy turkey sausage ball clocks in at about 107 calories, making them lighter compared to traditional recipes while still delivering bold sausage flavor. With 8 grams of protein per piece, they offer a nice boost of satiety—perfect for a snack, appetizer, or part of a balanced breakfast.

The 5 grams of fat come mostly from the turkey sausage and cheese, which give these bites their rich, savory taste. At 7 grams of carbohydrates (0 grams of fiber), they lean more toward the protein side of the spectrum, which is great for blood sugar balance and sustained energy.

Sodium clocks in at 293 milligrams per ball, which is typical for sausage-based recipes. If you’re watching sodium, pairing them with fresh fruit or veggies can help balance things out. Overall, these sausage cheese balls offer a satisfying mix of protein and big flavor in a portion-controlled bite. Enjoy snack time, friends!

Total nutritional content per sausage ball is:

• Calories: 107 calories
• Carbohydrates: 7 grams
• Protein: 8 grams
• Total Fat: 5 grams
• Sodium: 293 mg
• Fiber: 0 grams

*This nutritional information is an estimate and calculated based on the ingredients used to create the recipe. The nutritional value of your ingredients may differ slightly. Furthermore, this food is not intended to prevent, diagnose, cure, or treat any disease.

Pricing Info

This is what I personally paid to make this recipe:

• 1 lbs turkey sausage: $4.48
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese: $1.98
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour: $0.17
• ⅓ cup whole milk: $0.10
• 2 tsp Italian seasoning: $0.04
• 1 ½ tsp baking powder: $0.03
• 1 tsp garlic powder: $0.02
• ¾ tsp salt: $0.02
• ½ tsp onion powder: $0.01
• ½ tsp black pepper: $0.02

The total comes out to be around $6.87 or roughly $0.29 per sausage ball!

FAQs

Other Holiday Recipes

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Recipe

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xoxo Megan