Air Fryer Sausage Balls

If you love meatballs or sausages for breakfast, then you should try making these air fryer sausage balls.

It barely takes 5 minutes to assemble and make the sausage mixture that you later use to form balls of uniform shape and size.

These are extremely easy to cook, and you can quickly add them to your sandwiches, burgers, and pasta or just serve them as they are for appetizers.

Either way, making these sausage balls was fun, especially when you make them in the air fryer. These air fryer bisquick sausage balls are perfect for weekdays or game nights as they are easy to make and taste delicious. They can serve both as an appetizer or a side dish.

Air fryer sausage balls are even easier to make than deep frying them as they use very little oil, and you still get the crispy texture on the outside of the sausage balls while they are juicy and soft on the inside.

Try this easy air fryer sausage balls recipe as it is quick to make and takes 10-12 minutes, which helps make a quick breakfast on a busy morning.

Ingredients:

1. 1/2 pound (225g) sausage meat- You can use any sausage meat you like. I have used chicken sausage meat for this recipe because that is all I had. But you can use pork sausage meat or any sausage meat of your liking.

2. 1/4 teaspoon salt

3. 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

4. 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

5. 1 Cup Cheddar Cheese- I sadly failed to use 1 cup Shredded cheddar cheese in this recipe image, but it does give an excellent binding to the sausage, and I started using this ingredient for better results.

6. 1 cup Bisquick or breadcrumbs (for binding)- You can use Bisquick or any other pancake mix to bind the sausage so it is crispy on the outside yet light and airy on the inside.

Optional:

• Additional seasoning like chili powder or paprika to taste
• Dipping sauce of your choice (e.g., marinara sauce, mustard, honey mustard)

How to make Air Fryer Sausage Balls

1. Mix the ingredients: Combine the sausage meat, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, shredded cheddar cheese, and Bisquick or breadcrumbs in a bowl.

Use your hands to mix everything together until well combined thoroughly. Add any seasonings, like chili powder, for extra flavor if desired.

2. Form the balls: Roll about a tablespoon or so of the mixture between your palms to form a ball. Try to spoon an even amount of mixture for each sausage ball, or else the cooking times will vary, and one will cook faster than the other.

For all the sausage balls to cook evenly, it is best to have an equal quantity of the sausage mix and make balls. Lay down these sausage balls on the air fryer basket, leaving a little space between each one.

3. Air Fry the Sausage Balls: Place the perforated parchment sheet in the air fryer and bake for 12 minutes at 200°C until the sausage balls are cooked well and golden brown outside.

You can shake the basket to cook the sausage balls evenly from all sides

4. Serve: Once cooked, remove the sausage balls from the air fryer and let them cool for a few minutes before serving. These sausage and cheese balls make a delicious appetizer or snack. Enjoy them warm!

Tips on making the best sausage balls in air fryer

1. Shake the basket: While air frying, midway through the cooking process, shake the air fryer basket gently to ensure even cooking. This helps to redistribute the heat and cooks the sausage balls evenly.

2. Spray with oil: After placing the sausage balls in the air fryer, lightly spray them with cooking oil. This helps to prevent them from drying out during the cooking process, especially since air fryers can get very hot.

3. Uniform size: Make sure to make the sausage balls uniform in size to ensure even cooking in a batch. This ensures that they all cook at the same rate and are ready to enjoy at the same time.

4. Adjust cooking time for size: If you decide to make larger sausage balls, be prepared to cook them for a longer time to ensure they are cooked through. Keep an eye on them and adjust the cooking time as needed to avoid undercooking or overcooking.

5. Breadcrumbs alternative: Bisquick or pancake mix can provide a fluffier texture, but if you do not have them on you, you can use breadcrumbs as a binding agent. Although the texture may differ slightly, adjust according to your preference.

How to serve Air Fryer sausage balls

 Here are several ways you can serve and enjoy sausage balls:

 1. Appetizer Platter: Serve sausage balls on a platter with toothpicks or cocktail forks for easy serving. You can pair these sausage balls with dipping sauces such as Marinara sauce, Honey mustard, Barbecue sauce, Ranch dressing, and Sriracha mayo.

2. Sausage Ball Sliders: Slice sausage balls in half and place them on slider buns. Add toppings such as tomato, onion, pickles, lettuce, and your favorite condiments for delicious mini sandwiches.

3. Sausage Ball Breakfast Bowl: Top a bowl of creamy grits or cheesy scrambled eggs with sausage balls. For extra flavor, you can garnish this breakfast bowl with chopped green onions or parsley.

4. Sausage Ball Pizza: Use sausage balls as a topping for homemade or store-bought pizza. Spread pizza sauce over a pizza crust, sprinkle some shredded mozzarella cheese, and place halved sausage balls on top. Add your favorite pizza toppings like bell peppers, onions, and mushrooms.

5. Sausage Ball Pasta: Add sliced sausage balls to your favorite pasta dish. Toss them with cooked pasta and marinara sauce, and add grated Parmesan cheese on top.

6. Sausage Ball Breakfast Casserole: Layer sliced sausage balls in a baking dish with cubed bread, shredded cheese, and beaten eggs mixed with milk. Bake until the eggs are set, and the top is golden brown for a delicious breakfast or brunch casserole.

7. Sausage Ball Skewers: Thread sausage balls onto skewers with pieces of cooked bell pepper, onion, and cherry tomatoes. You can brush these skewers with barbecue sauce and grill or broil until heated through and slightly charred for a tasty appetizer or party snack.

8. Sausage Ball Stuffed Mushrooms: Remove the stems from large mushrooms and fill the cavities with a mixture of sausage balls and cream cheese. Bake these stuffed mushrooms till tender, and the filling is heated through for a savory appetizer.

9. Sausage Ball Soup: Add sliced sausage balls to a soup recipe for some added flavor and protein. They pair well with hearty soups like potato, bean, or vegetable.

10. Sausage Ball Breakfast Hash: Dice cooked sausage balls and sauté them with diced potatoes, bell peppers, and onions until crispy and golden brown. Serve topped with fried or poached eggs for a satisfying breakfast hash.

These are just a few ideas for serving and enjoying sausage balls. 

How do you know when sausage balls are done?

To determine when sausage balls are done, look for these signs:

1. Golden Brown Color: The exterior of the sausage balls should turn a golden brown color when they are done. This indicates that they have been properly cooked and have developed a flavorful crust.

2. Crispy Texture: When you touch the sausage balls, they should feel firm and have a crispy texture on the outside. This indicates that they have cooked through and have a pleasing texture.

3. Check Internal Temperature: If possible, insert a meat thermometer in the center of a sausage ball; if the internal temperature says 160°F, then it means that the sausage is fully cooked.

4. No Longer Pink: Cut into one of the sausage balls to check if the interior is no longer pink. They are done if the inside is cooked through and has an even color.

Is it healthier to cook sausage balls in air fryer?

Whether cooking sausage balls in an air fryer is healthier than deep-frying depends on several factors, including the ingredients used and the cooking method.

Air frying generally requires less oil than deep-frying, lowering calorie and fat content.

However, the overall nutritional value can vary based on the specific recipe and ingredients used.

Nutrient	Deep-Fried Sausage Balls (3 balls)	Air-Fried Sausage Balls (3 balls)
Calories	270 calories	180 calories
Total Fat	21g	12g
Saturated Fat	8g	4g
Cholesterol	45mg	35mg
Sodium	520mg	550mg
Carbohydrates	10g	8g
Dietary Fiber	0g	0g
Sugars	0g	1g
Protein	9g	11g

As you can see, air-fried sausage balls generally have lower calories, total fat, and saturated fat than deep-fried sausage balls.

However, the sodium content may be slightly higher in air-fried sausage balls due to the seasoning and ingredients used, but you can always control that if you make them at home.

Overall, air frying can be considered a healthier cooking option than deep-frying, as it reduces the amount of added oil and fat in the final dish.

Can you make frozen sausage balls in air fryer?

Yes, you can easily prepare frozen sausage balls in your air fryer. Place the frozen sausage balls in the fryer basket. Cook them at 200°C for approximately 10-12 minutes, shaking them midway, until they are thoroughly heated and achieve a crispy exterior.