Sausage Balls in the Air Fryer
Air fryer sausage balls turn out golden outside and tender inside in about 12 minutes, with no oven to preheat. The mixture is simple, just pork sausage, baking mix, cheddar and cream cheese, and the balls freeze well for holiday mornings and game day. This guide covers the right size, the temperature and how to cook them from frozen.
- Temperature
- 350°F180 °C
- Total time
- 51min
- Prep time
- 15min
- Servings
- 10
- Internal temp
- 160°F71 °C
- Per serving
- 470kcal
Why the air fryer works for sausage balls
Sausage balls are meant to be crisp on the outside and tender in the middle, and the oven often takes 20 to 25 minutes to get there. The air fryer shortens that to 12 minutes, because hot air moves around each ball at once. The fat in the sausage melts into the cheese and baking mix, and the surface turns golden without a sheet pan.
Basket size is the main limit. Ten balls fit in a single layer in most 5 to 6 qt baskets, which means three batches for a full recipe. That is not a problem since each batch is short, and the finished balls hold well on a rack or in a warm oven at 200 °F while you finish the rest.
How to make sausage balls in the air fryer
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Mix the dough Combine the sausage, baking mix, cream cheese and cheddar in a large bowl. Mix with your hands for 2 to until the mixture is evenly blended and holds together. Cold sausage and cream cheese mix poorly, so let both sit out for .
- Shape the balls Roll the mixture into 1¼-inch balls, about 1 heaping tablespoon each. You should get about 30. Keep the balls the same size so they cook at the same time.
- Preheat Preheat the air fryer to 350 °F for .
- Cook in batches Place 10 balls in the basket in a single layer with a small gap between them. Cook for , shaking the basket after . They are done when the outsides are deep golden and an instant-read thermometer reads 160 °F in the center.
- Repeat and cool Cook the remaining balls in two more batches of . Move them to a rack for before serving, so they firm up.
Times and temperatures
| Sausage Balls | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh balls, 1¼ inchShake after 6 min | 350 °F (180 °C) | 12 min |
| Larger balls, 1½ inch | 350 °F (180 °C) | 14–15 min |
| Frozen raw ballsShake twice | 350 °F (180 °C) | 14–16 min |
| Reheating cooked ballsHeat to 165 °F | 325 °F (160 °C) | 3–4 min |
Times are a guide and depend on the size and wattage of your air fryer. Done at 160 °F (71 °C) in the center. See also air fryer cooking times for all foods.
Tips
- Use room-temperature ingredients. Soft cream cheese and sausage mix quickly and evenly.
- Keep the sausage plain. Regular or mild breakfast sausage works best, because spicy sausage can overpower the cheese. Use hot sausage only if you want noticeable heat.
- Shred your own cheese. Block cheddar melts more smoothly than bagged cheese coated with anti-caking starch.
What to serve with sausage balls
Serve sausage balls for breakfast with scrambled eggs and fruit, or on a party table with honey mustard, ranch or warm marinara. They are a holiday brunch staple. If you are making a bigger breakfast, add sausage patties or scrambled eggs and a bowl of grits.
Storing and reheating
Cooked balls keep for 4 days in the refrigerator. Reheat them in the air fryer at 325 °F for 3 to 4 minutes, shaking once, until hot at 165 °F. You can also freeze cooked balls for up to 3 months, and heat them straight from the freezer at 325 °F for 6 to 8 minutes. For the uncooked option, freeze the raw balls flat on a tray before bagging them so they do not stick together.
Variations
- Sausage stuffing balls: Mix 1 lb sausage with 2 cups seasoned bread stuffing cubes and ½ cup chicken broth, shape into 1½-inch balls and cook at 350 °F for 14 minutes.
- Jalapeño: Fold in 2 tbsp finely chopped pickled jalapeños.
- Italian sausage: Use bulk Italian sausage with mozzarella instead of cheddar and serve with marinara. For regular sausage links, see sausage in the air fryer.
If it does not turn out right
- The sausage balls are dry
- The dough had too much baking mix or the balls cooked past 160 °F. Measure the mix by spooning it into the cup and leveling, not scooping.
- The balls fall apart
- The sausage was cold or the mixture was not mixed long enough. Mix by hand until it holds together when squeezed.
- The bottoms are pale
- The balls sat too close together. Leave a small gap and shake the basket halfway so all sides brown.
Questions and answers
How long do sausage balls take in the air fryer?
12 minutes at 350 °F for 1¼-inch balls, shaking halfway. Larger balls take 14 to 15 minutes. Always check for 160 °F in the center.
Can I cook raw frozen sausage balls in the air fryer?
Yes. Freeze the shaped raw balls on a tray, then bag them. Cook them from frozen at 350 °F for 14 to 16 minutes, shaking twice, until they reach 160 °F.
How do I reheat sausage balls in the air fryer?
Heat cooked balls at 325 °F for 3 to 4 minutes, shaking once. Frozen cooked balls need 6 to 8 minutes. They should be hot at 165 °F in the center.
Can I make sausage balls without baking mix?
Yes. Use 2½ cups all-purpose flour, 1 tbsp baking powder and 1 tsp kosher salt instead of baking mix, and add 2 tbsp melted butter. Cook as usual.
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