Best 4 Spicy Cranberry Sausage Balls Recipes

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**Cranberry Sausage Balls: A Delightful Appetizer for Any Occasion**

Kick off your next gathering with a burst of flavor with these tantalizing Cranberry Sausage Balls. This simple yet delectable appetizer combines the tangy sweetness of cranberries with savory sausage, resulting in a perfect balance of flavors. Each bite offers a delightful interplay of textures, from the tender sausage and chewy cranberries to the crispy outer coating. These bite-sized treats are not only incredibly moreish but also surprisingly easy to make. With just a few pantry staples and a little bit of time, you can whip up a batch of these crowd-pleasing snacks that are sure to be a hit at any party or potluck.

Whether you're preparing for a festive holiday feast or hosting a casual get-together, these Cranberry Sausage Balls are the perfect way to start your meal. They are not only incredibly delicious but also visually appealing, adding a touch of color and cheer to your table. Plus, they can be easily customized to suit your personal preferences. For a spicy kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili powder to the mixture. For a sweeter version, consider using a sweeter sausage variety or adding a drizzle of honey or maple syrup.

In this comprehensive guide, you'll find not just one but three variations of these irresistible Cranberry Sausage Balls. The classic recipe offers a perfect balance of flavors, while the spicy version adds a delightful kick of heat. And for those with dietary restrictions, there's a gluten-free option that delivers the same delicious taste without compromising on texture. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and let's embark on a culinary journey that will leave your taste buds craving more!

Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!

SPICY SAUSAGE BALLS



Spicy Sausage Balls image

These sausage balls are the perfect bite-size combination of cheese, meat and biscuits -- all rolled into one. A staple around the holidays in the South, they are perfect on their own as an appetizer, or served as a side dish at your holiday table.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     side-dish

Time 55m

Yield 38 balls

Number Of Ingredients 5

1 pound spicy Italian sausage, casings removed
4 cups grated extra-sharp Cheddar
2 cups baking mix, such as Bisquick
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
  • In a large bowl, combine the sausage, Cheddar, baking mix, garlic powder and salt and knead with your hands until a homogenous dough forms (this will take about 5 minutes). Pinch off golf ball-size pieces of dough, roll them into balls and arrange them 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheets.
  • Bake until the sausage balls are golden brown and cooked through, about 25 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes and serve warm or at room temperature. Store any leftover sausage balls in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

CRANBERRY MEATBALLS AND SAUSAGE



Cranberry Meatballs and Sausage image

Years ago, I found a version of this sausage and meatballs recipe in a cookbook. At first taste, my family judged it a keeper. The tangy, saucy meatballs are requested by our friends whenever I host card night. We also take the yummy dish on camping trips. -Marybell Lintott, Vernon, British Columbia

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Appetizers

Time 30m

Yield 16 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 small onion, finely chopped
3/4 cup dry bread crumbs
1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 pound bulk pork sausage
1 can (14 ounces) jellied cranberry sauce
3 tablespoons cider vinegar
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon prepared mustard
1 package (1 pound) miniature smoked sausage links

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, combine the first six ingredients. Crumble bulk sausage over the mixture and mix well. Shape into 1 in. balls. In a large skillet, cook meatballs over medium heat until a thermometer reads 160°.; drain., In a large saucepan, combine the cranberry sauce, vinegar, brown sugar and mustard. Cook and stir over medium heat until cranberry sauce is melted. Add the meatballs and sausage links. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, until sausage links are no longer pink and sauce is slightly thickened, 10-15 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 218 calories, Fat 14g fat (5g saturated fat), Cholesterol 41mg cholesterol, Sodium 514mg sodium, Carbohydrate 18g carbohydrate (10g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 7g protein.

CRANBERRY STUFFING BALLS



Cranberry Stuffing Balls image

Meet the Cook: If you're looking for a different stuffing this year, you'll find these balls are both tasty and easy to prepare. Cooking has been a favorite pastime of mine since my husband and I retired (I used to operate a beauty salon). We had 80 acres and kept 2-1/2 of them to build our new country home on. -Bernadine Dirmeyer, Harpster, Ohio

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Side Dishes

Time 45m

Yield 8-10 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 pound bulk pork sausage
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/4 cup chopped onion
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
1 package (7 ounces) herb-seasoned stuffing croutons
3/4 cup fresh cranberries, halved
2 large eggs, well beaten
1 to 1-1/2 cups chicken broth

Steps:

  • In a skillet, cook sausage, celery and onion until sausage is done and vegetables are tender. Drain excess fat. In a large bowl, combine the meat mixture with remaining ingredients and enough broth to hold mixture together. Shape into 8-10 balls. Place in a greased shallow baking dish. Bake at 325° for 30 minutes.

Nutrition Facts :

SPICY CRANBERRY BALLS



Spicy Cranberry Balls image

These delicious meatballs are not only great tasting, but easy to throw together...a great idea for Christmas parties or any party for that matter....Enjoy! They will be one of the first things to go..

Provided by Cassie *

Categories     Meat Appetizers

Time 1h

Number Of Ingredients 6

48 meatballs, pre-cooked and thawed
16 oz cranberry sauce or cranberry jelly
12 oz chili sauce
1 Tbsp brown sugar
2 tsp lemon juice
red pepper flakes to taste ( optional )

Steps:

  • 1. In a saucepan, add cranberry sauce or cranberry jelly with chili sauce, brown sugar, pepper flakes and lemon juice. Heat on medium, stirring ingredients until combined. Serve immediately, or transfer to crock pot to keep warm until ready to serve. In a separate baking dish, place thawed meatballs, add the cranberry sauce, and bake for 30 to 45 minutes.

Tips:

  • Use a food processor to save time and effort. Simply add all of the ingredients to the food processor and pulse until well combined.
  • If you don't have a food processor, you can mix the ingredients by hand. Just be sure to mix them thoroughly so that all of the ingredients are evenly distributed.
  • Shape the sausage balls into 1-inch balls. You can use a cookie scoop to make this easier.
  • Bake the sausage balls at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes, or until they are cooked through.
  • Serve the sausage balls with your favorite dipping sauce. Some popular options include cranberry sauce, honey mustard, or ranch dressing.

Conclusion:

Spicy Cranberry Sausage Balls are a delicious and easy-to-make appetizer perfect for any occasion. They are made with simple ingredients and can be prepared in just a few minutes. Whether you are hosting a party or just looking for a tasty snack, these sausage balls are sure to be a hit. So next time you are looking for a quick and easy appetizer, give these Spicy Cranberry Sausage Balls a try. You won't be disappointed!

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