Easy Maple Sausage Balls with Cream Cheese and Bisquick
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Maple Sausage Balls combine savory pork sausage, cheddar cheese, cream cheese, and maple syrup in one easy bite-sized recipe. They are sweet, salty, cheesy, and perfect for breakfast, brunch, holiday gatherings, or game day snacking.
I have made sausage balls many times because they are easy to prepare and always disappear quickly. This maple version is one of my favorites for Christmas morning, Thanksgiving weekend, Easter brunch, and casual family get-togethers. The cream cheese keeps the sausage balls tender, while the maple syrup adds just enough sweetness to balance the savory sausage and cheddar.
If you are planning a larger breakfast or brunch spread, you may also enjoy my Cheesy Hash Brown Casserole, Cheeseburger Sliders, or Hot Italian Sliders.
Table of contents
Why I Love These Maple Sausage Balls
I love a recipe that works for more than one occasion, and these easy Maple Sausage Balls definitely do. They can be served as a breakfast sausage ball, a brunch recipe, or a warm party appetizer.
The combination of pork sausage and maple syrup gives them that sweet and savory flavor that makes maple breakfast sausage so delicious. Cheddar cheese adds plenty of cheesy flavor, while cream cheese helps keep the centers soft and tender.
I also appreciate that I can prepare them in only 10 minutes using ingredients that are easy-to-find at any grocery store. There is no need to cook the sausage before mixing the dough, so the entire recipe comes together in one bowl.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You only need five ingredients to make these sweet and savory sausage balls.
- Pork sausage: I use Jimmy Dean pork sausage as the savory base of the recipe. Regular breakfast sausage works well, but hot sausage can be substituted if you would like a little heat.
- Cream cheese: Softened cream cheese adds moisture and makes these Bisquick sausage balls tender instead of dry or crumbly. Full fat cream cheese gives me the best texture, although reduced fat cream cheese can be used if preferred.
- Cheddar cheese: Shredded cheddar adds rich, cheesy flavor throughout every sausage ball. Sharp cheddar provides the most noticeable flavor, but mild or medium cheddar will also work. I prefer to shred the cheese myself because freshly shredded cheese blends into the mixture more easily.
- Bisquick baking mix: Bisquick gives the sausage balls structure and helps hold the sausage, cream cheese, and cheddar together. I use original Bisquick baking mix for this recipe.
- Maple syrup: Maple syrup adds the signature sweetness that sets these sausage balls apart from a traditional sausage ball recipe. Pure maple syrup provides a natural maple flavor, but you can use your preferred maple syrup.
How to Make Maple Sausage Balls
These cream cheese sausage balls require only a few minutes of preparation. The sausage does not need to be cooked before it is combined with the other ingredients.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spray it with cooking spray.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the pork sausage, softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, Bisquick baking mix, and maple syrup with a hand mixer. Mix only until the ingredients are combined. Do not overmix.
- Roll the sausage mixture into 1 inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake the sausage balls for 20 to 25 minutes, until they are browned and cooked through.
- Serve the Maple Sausage Balls warm or at room temperature.
My Best Tips for Perfect Sausage Balls
- Soften the cream cheese first. Cold cream cheese is difficult to distribute evenly. I let mine soften at room temperature before I begin mixing.
- Do not overmix the ingredients. Mixing too long can make the cooked sausage balls dense. Stop as soon as the ingredients are evenly combined.
- Use freshly shredded cheese. Bagged shredded cheese is coated with ingredients that prevent clumping. Cheese shredded from a block blends more smoothly into the sausage mixture.
- Chill a sticky mixture. The maple syrup and softened cream cheese can make the mixture soft. A trick that works for me in my kitchen is placing the bowl in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes if the mixture is sticking to my hands. The chilled mixture is much easier to roll.
- Keep the balls evenly sized. Making each ball about 1 inch wide helps them bake at the same rate. A small cookie scoop makes portioning fast and keeps the size consistent.
- Check that the sausage is fully cooked. The centers should reach an internal temperature of 160 degrees F when tested with an instant-read thermometer.
- Give them room on the pan. Leave a little space between each sausage ball so the hot air can circulate and the outsides can brown.
What to Serve with Maple Sausage Balls
Maple Sausage Balls are delicious on their own, but they also fit easily into a complete breakfast or brunch menu. I like to serve them with a small bowl of warm maple syrup for dipping when I want to emphasize the sweet maple flavor.
For breakfast or brunch, pair them with scrambled eggs, fresh fruit, biscuits, cinnamon rolls, pancakes, or a cheesy hash brown casserole. They are especially convenient on Christmas morning because everyone can grab a few while opening gifts.
To serve these sausage balls as an appetizer, arrange them on a platter with toothpicks. A maple mustard dipping sauce, honey mustard, or spicy mustard would complement the sweet and savory flavors. They are also a great addition to a game day appetizer table alongside sliders, dips, and other easy finger foods.
Recipe Variations
- Spicy maple sausage balls: Replace the regular pork sausage with hot breakfast sausage. The heat pairs especially well with the sweet maple syrup.
- Maple flavored sausage: Use maple breakfast sausage to give the sausage balls an even stronger maple flavor.
- Pepper Jack sausage balls: Substitute shredded Pepper Jack cheese for the cheddar to add a little spice.
- Extra sharp cheddar: Use extra sharp cheddar when you want the cheese flavor to stand out against the maple syrup.
- Maple mustard dipping sauce: Stir together maple syrup and Dijon mustard to make a quick sweet and tangy dip.
- Holiday sausage balls: Add a small amount of finely chopped fresh rosemary or sage for a more savory holiday flavor.
Make Ahead and Storage Instructions
You can prepare the uncooked sausage balls ahead of time and refrigerate them until you are ready to bake. Shape the mixture into balls, arrange them in an airtight container, and separate the layers with parchment paper. For food safety, bake them within one day.
Store leftover cooked Maple Sausage Balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three or four days. Reheat them in a 350 degree F oven until warmed through. You can also warm a small serving in the microwave, although the oven gives the outside a better texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Add the raw pork sausage directly to the mixing bowl. It will cook completely while the sausage balls bake in the oven.
Yes. You can mix and shape the sausage balls the day before you plan to serve them. Keep them covered in the refrigerator, then bake them according to the recipe when needed.
Yes. Baked sausage balls freeze well. Allow them to cool completely, then place them in a freezer safe container or bag. Freeze them for up to two months and thaw them overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
You can also freeze the unbaked sausage balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet until firm, then transfer them to a freezer bag. Thaw them in the refrigerator before baking so they cook evenly.
Sausage balls can become dry when too much baking mix is used, the mixture is overworked, or they are baked too long. Measure the Bisquick carefully and remove the sausage balls from the oven once they are browned and fully cooked.
The softened cream cheese and maple syrup naturally make this mixture softer than a traditional sausage ball mixture. Refrigerate it for about 15 minutes before rolling if it feels too sticky.
You can, but it will change the flavor and possibly the sweetness of the sausage balls. Pure maple syrup has a thinner consistency and a more natural maple flavor, while pancake syrup is usually thicker and sweeter.
These easy Maple Sausage Balls are a fun twist on classic Bisquick sausage balls, with the perfect combination of savory sausage, creamy cheese, and sweet maple syrup.
Give them a try for your next holiday breakfast, brunch, or party, and please come back to leave a comment and let me know how they turned out!
Ingredients
- 1 pound Jimmy Dean Regular Premium Pork Sausage
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 ½ cups cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2 ¼ cups Bisquick baking mix
- ⅓ cup real maple syrup, good quality
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line one large or two standard baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, beat the sausage and softened cream cheese until evenly combined. Mix in the cheddar cheese, Bisquick, and maple syrup just until no dry streaks remain. Do not overmix.
- Scoop the mixture into 1-tablespoon portions and roll into approximately 1-inch balls. Arrange them about 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheets. If the mixture is too soft to roll, refrigerate it for 15–20 minutes.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until lightly browned and the centers reach 160°F. If baking two pans at once, rotate the pans halfway through.
- Let cool for 5 minutes before serving. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Nutrition Facts
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