Can I make these sausage balls without an air fryer?

Absolutely! Bake them in a conventional oven at 375°F for 18-20 minutes on a parchment-lined baking sheet. They'll still be delicious, though slightly less crispy on the outside.

Why are my sausage balls dry?

The most common culprit is too much Bisquick. Make sure to measure accurately and don't overmix. Another possibility is overcooking – sausage balls continue cooking slightly after removal from the air fryer.

Can I make these ahead for a party?

Yes! You have two options: either prepare the mixture and shape the balls up to 24 hours ahead (store covered in the refrigerator), or fully cook them, refrigerate, and reheat briefly in the air fryer before serving.

My mixture is too sticky to roll. What should I do?

Refrigerate the mixture for 15-20 minutes to firm it up. If it's still too sticky, you can add a small amount (start with 1 tablespoon) of additional Bisquick, but be careful not to add too much.

Air Fryer Sausage Balls Recipe

Name: Air Fryer Sausage Balls Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 pound mild pork sausage; 8 ounces shredded cheddar cheese; 1 cup Bisquick baking mix; 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley; ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (or to taste); ½ cup ketchup; 3 tablespoons sweet chili sauce

Description

Air Fryer Sausage Balls are deliciously crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Packed with savory sausage, melty cheddar cheese, and a hint of red pepper spice, these bite-sized treats are incredibly easy to make. Perfect as an appetizer, snack, or party food, you can serve them on their own or with the optional Sweet Chili Ketchup for an added kick of flavor!

Ingredients

Units Scale

Sausage Balls

1 pound mild pork sausage
8 ounces shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup Bisquick baking mix
3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (or to taste)

Sweet Chili Ketchup (Optional)

1/2 cup ketchup
3 tablespoons sweet chili sauce

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Instructions

Prepare Air Fryer Basket
Grease the air fryer basket with olive oil spray and set it aside.
Mix Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, gently combine the sausage, shredded cheddar cheese, Bisquick, chopped parsley, and red pepper flakes. Be careful to mix gently to avoid making tough sausage balls.
Form Sausage Balls
Scoop out 1-tablespoon portions (approximately the size of a golf ball) and roll them into smooth balls using your hands.
Arrange in Air Fryer
Place the sausage balls in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Leave space for air to circulate.
Cook the Sausage Balls
Cook in the air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for 10 minutes or until the internal temperature of the sausage balls reaches 160°F (measured with an instant-read thermometer).
Warm if Cooking in Batches
If cooking in batches, place the already cooked sausage balls on a baking sheet in a 200°F (95°C) oven to keep warm for up to 30 minutes.
Serve and Enjoy
Serve the sausage balls warm or at room temperature. Optionally, pair with Sweet Chili Ketchup.
Prepare Sweet Chili Ketchup (Optional)
Mix the ketchup and sweet chili sauce in a small bowl until well combined. Serve alongside the sausage balls for dipping.

Notes

Use your preferred type of sausage: hot Italian, breakfast, chicken, or turkey sausage all work great!
Substitute cheddar cheese with your choice of cheese, such as pepper Jack, Colby, Monterey Jack, or white cheddar.
For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free Bisquick baking mix.
To make the sausage balls less spicy, omit or reduce the red pepper flakes.
Avoid overmixing the ingredients to prevent the sausage balls from becoming tough.
For even cooking, make sure the balls are evenly sized by using a standard 1-tablespoon scoop.
Cook the sausage balls in batches and leave space in the air fryer basket for proper air circulation. Crowding may result in soggy sausage balls.
Nutritional info does not include the Sweet Chili Ketchup.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 sausage ball
Calories: 110
Sugar: 1g
Sodium: 210mg
Fat: 8g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Unsaturated Fat: 5g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 4g
Fiber: 0g
Protein: 5g
Cholesterol: 20mg