Cream Cheese Sausage Balls

Just four ingredients stand between you and a batch of these delicious Cream Cheese Sausage Balls! They're the ultimate easy party appetizer - quick to make and always a hit.

There are ordinary appetizers… and then there are these sausage balls. I'm talking ultra-savory, cheesy little bites of joy that disappear faster than you can say "game day." It's leveled up with cream cheese, which means they're extra moist, uber melty, and downright addictive.

Whether you're feeding a hungry holiday crowd, showing off at a potluck, or just making a batch for weekend snacking (no judgment here), these cream cheese sausage balls are about to become your go-to party dish. Minimal prep, only a handful of ingredients, and they freeze like a dream. Basically: party food perfection.

These Cream Cheese Sausage Balls are:

• Easy to prepare!
• Made with simple ingredients.
• Freezer-friendly.
• Easily made gluten-free (by swapping breadcrumbs with gf flour).
• Great as an appetizer or main dish!

How to Make Cream Cheese Sausage Balls 

1. Start by preheating oven and placing foil on baking sheet. 
2. In a bowl, mix up the sausage, breadcrumbs, and cream cheese along with one egg. Once well mixed, form mixture into balls. 
3. Place on baking sheet and bake at 375°F for 18-20 minutes.

Detailed directions and step-by-step photos for making these sausage balls are in the printable recipe card below. 

helpful Tips

Soften the cream cheese! I recommend allowing your cream cheese to come to room temperature before using. This will make it much easier to mix, and give you a much smoother result.

Use a cookie scoop: For evenly sized sausage balls that bake uniformly, use a small cookie scoop or tablespoon to portion them out.

Check your sausage: If using lean sausage, the mixture may be a bit dry. A higher-fat sausage works best for tender, juicy results.

Make ahead-friendly: You can roll the sausage balls in advance and refrigerate or freeze until ready to bake. Perfect for prepping ahead of parties or busy nights.

easy Variations

Make it gluten-free. Replace the panko bread crumbs with a gluten-free flour. You will find that it will work very similarly, and you won't notice too much difference!

Add cheese. You can never have too much cheese! Add ¼ - ⅓ cup shredded cheese to the mixture. Sharp cheddar or pepper jack would be great choices.

Make it spicy. Use hot sausage or add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes to the mix for some heat.

Herb It Up: Add chopped fresh parsley, chives, or green onions for a little color and flavor. I garnished mine with some parsley for the photos!

Bacon Lover's Twist: Mix in a handful of crumbled cooked bacon for smoky, salty goodness.

Mini Muffin Style: Press the mixture into a greased mini muffin tin for easy serving and crispy edges.

serving & Storing

serving ideas

You can serve up these sausage balls as an appetizer- add a toothpick and your favorite dip for a perfect party platter. Or try stuffing them in a sandwich to make a tasty slider. Or even eat them plain as a main dish. The options are endless!

storing leftovers

If you have extra sausage balls, you can store them in the fridge for 3-4 days in an airtight container.

freezing sausage balls

Alternatively, the sausage balls can be frozen for 3-4 months. Allow them to cool first, then place in a freezer bag or airtight container. Just defrost, then warm them up in the microwave or the oven when you're ready to eat again! 

More Tasty Ideas

If you love these cream cheese sausage balls, be sure to check out these other delicious ideas:

• Mini Bacon Ranch Cheese Balls
• Cheesy Enchilada Meatballs
• Puff Pastry Mushroom Bites
• Easy Dessert Kabobs

Recipe