Description
These Cheddar Jalapeño Sausage Balls are an effortless, hearty snack or light meal featuring savory beef sausage, sharp cheddar, and a kick of jalapeño. This recipe ensures golden, flavorful bites perfect for easy high-protein snacks or quick dinner ideas.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb lean ground beef sausage
- 1.5 cups sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated
- 1 medium jalapeño, minced (seeds and white pith removed for milder)
- 2 cups baking mix (like Bisquick)
- 0.5 cup milk (dairy milk or unsweetened almond milk)
- 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
- 0.5 teaspoon onion powder
- 0.5 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 0.25 teaspoon cayenne (optional)
Instructions
- Prep Ingredients: Grate sharp cheddar cheese and mince the jalapeño. For a milder flavor, remove the seeds and white pith from the jalapeño.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the baking mix and any desired spices (garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cayenne) until well blended.
- Mix Wet and Bind: Add the milk, then crumble in the lean ground beef sausage, cheese, and minced jalapeño. Mix gently until just combined, avoiding overmixing to keep the sausage balls tender and light.
- Form Balls: Roll the mixture into uniform 1-inch balls. A small cookie scoop or tablespoon makes this easier and ensures even baking.
- Bake Sausage Balls: Place the balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake at 375°F for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through (reaching an internal temperature of 160°F). If they aren’t browning enough, increase the oven temperature slightly to 400°F for the last 5 minutes.
Notes
For a milder flavor, remove the seeds and white pith from the jalapeño. Avoid overmixing the ingredients to keep the sausage balls tender. Use a small cookie scoop or tablespoon for uniform balls and even baking. If the mixture is too dry, add 1-2 tablespoons more milk; if too sticky, lightly dust hands with extra baking mix when forming.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 balls
- Calories: 300 calories
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg
Keywords: easy dinner ideas, high-protein snacks, beef sausage, cheddar, jalapeño, quick meal, baked, snack, appetizer