By Becky Hardin
Published Dec 6, 2022
Give your appetizer game a boost with these Air Fryer Sausage Balls! They’re simple to make and so delicious, no one will be able to resist. Plus, they’re the perfect party food that everyone will love!
Bisquick Sausage Balls in an Air Fryer
Sausage balls are a traditional Southern finger food that is undeniably delicious! The biscuit coating creates the perfect texture for the pork, and they’re just so fun to dip.
Making sausage balls in the Air Fryer is the quickest, easiest way to make this party food favorite. Make as many batches as you need!
Why I Love this Recipe:
- Perfect flavor and texture : These Air Fryer sausage balls are juicy and tender inside, with a chewy yet fluffy coating. The pork is richly flavorful–they’re hard to resist!
- Make ahead of time: These appetizer can be made ahead of time and frozen, so they’re always on hand when you need them.
- Perfect for a crowd : They’re perfect for parties, potlucks , and tailgates. We guarantee that your guests will love them!
Trademark Note : In the spirit of transparency, I want to note that some of these ingredients are trademarked products. Bisquick is a proprietary brand that I want to acknowledge and give credit to.
This sausage ball recipe is my go-to for any potluck or party. They’re always a hit! The best part is that they’re so easy to make.
How to Make Air Fryer Sausage Balls
Combine ingredients to make the sausage mixture, then form it into evenly-sized balls. Place the sausage balls in the Air Fryer, cook for just a few minutes, and they’ll be ready to go! It’s really as simple as that.
I highly recommend whipping up the sweet chili ketchup for dipping–it’s a little bit sweet and spicy, and complements the sausage so well.
Recipe Notes
- Sausage: I love the flavor of pork sausage so that’s what I use in my sausage balls! I’m using a mild sausage and adding red pepper flakes so I can control the heat.
- Cheese: Just like the sausage, cheddar cheese is my go-to for sausage balls but you could switch it up if you like– try white cheddar, pepper Jack, Colby, etc.
- Bisquick: Helps hold the sausage balls together.
- Parsley: Adds a hint of freshness and grassiness that goes well with the sausage.
- Red Pepper Flakes: I’m adding a bit of spice with red pepper flakes, but feel free to add as much or as little as you like.
Sausage balls are a tasty appetizer consisting of ground sausage, cheddar cheese, and Bisquick baking mix. They’re super quick and easy to make!
I like to use mild pork sausage so that I can control the level of spice, but you could really use any kind of sausage you like, such as hot Italian, chicken, or turkey sausage!
Yes! To bake these sausage balls in the oven, spread them out on a lined baking sheet and bake in a 400°F oven for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown and 160°F internally.
While regular cuts of pork can be safely eaten at 145°F, ground pork requires additional cooking to ensure it is safe to eat. Pork sausage is fully cooked when it reaches 160°F internally on an instant-read thermometer. The meat should be opaque, light brown in color, and no longer be pink in the middle.
Serving Suggestions
You can serve these delicious air fryer sausage balls as an appetizer along with all your favorite dips and finger foods.
- Crockpot Cranberry Meatballs
- Easy Deviled Eggs
- Pizza Cupcakes
- Everything Bagel Pigs in a Blanket
Make Ahead Instructions
You can preroll the sausage balls up to 2 days in advance of when you plan to air fry them. Store the sausage balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to air fry.
Storage Instructions
Store leftover air fryer sausage balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 320°F air fryer for 15-18 minutes, until warmed through.
Freezing Instructions
Air fryer sausage balls can be frozen raw or cooked. Freeze the sausage balls in a single layer on a lined baking sheet until solid, about 1-2 hours. Transfer to an airtight container or Ziplock bag to store for up to 3 months. Air fry directly from frozen, adding 1-2 minutes to the final air fry or reheating time.
Substitutions
- You can use any kind of sausage you like for these sausage balls. Try hot Italian, breakfast, chicken, or turkey sausage!
- You can use any kind of cheese you like in place of the cheddar, such as white cheddar, pepper Jack, Colby, or Monterey Jack.
- For gluten-free sausage balls, use gluten-free Bisquick baking mix.
- You can omit the red pepper flakes if you’d like these sausage balls less spicy.
Tips for the Best Air Fryer Sausage Balls
- Do not overmix the sausage balls, as this will make them tough.
- Use a standard 1 tablespoon to create equal-sized balls that cook more evenly.
- Make sure to leave space between the sausage balls to let air circulate; otherwise, they may come out soggy. Air fry in batches if needed.
Make these Air Fryer Sausage Balls the next time you need a tasty, easy, and quick appetizer for any party!
More Game Day Appetizers to Try:
- Bacon Wrapped Tater Tots
- Homemade Pizza Bagels
- Bacon Cheese Fries with Ranch
- Ham & Cheese Mozzarella Cheese Sticks
- Garlic Parmesan Soft Pretzels
- Crockpot Spinach Dip
If you make this recipe be sure to upload a photo in the comment section below or leave a rating. Enjoy!
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 1 pound mild pork sausage
- ▢ 8 ounces shredded cheddar cheese 1 bag
- ▢ 1 cup Bisquick baking mix
- ▢ 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- ▢ ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes or to taste
For the Sweet Chili Ketchup (Optional)
- ▢ ½ cup ketchup
- ▢ 3 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
Instructions
- Grease air fryer basket with olive oil spray and set aside.
- In a large bowl, gently mix the sausage, cheddar cheese, bisquick, chopped parsley, and red pepper flakes together. Make sure to mix gently so you don’t end up with tough sausage balls. 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
- Scoop out 1 tablespoon sized portions (about the size of a golf ball) and roll them into smooth balls.
- Place as many balls as will fit into the air fryer, making sure not to overcrowd the basket.
- Bake at 375°F for 10 minutes, or until the sausage balls register 160°F on an instant-read thermometer.
- If you need to cook the sausage balls in batches, they can be kept warm on a baking sheet in a 200°F oven for up to 30 minutes.
- Enjoy these sausage balls warm or at room temperature.
For the Sweet Chili Ketchup
- Mix the ketchup and sweet chili sauce together until combined. Serve with sausage balls. ½ cup ketchup, 3 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
Equipment
- Air Fryer (click for my favorite)
Becky’s Tips
- You can use any kind of sausage you like for these sausage balls. Try hot Italian, breakfast, chicken, or turkey sausage!
- You can use any kind of cheese you like in place of the cheddar, such as white cheddar, pepper Jack, Colby, or Monterey Jack.
- For gluten-free sausage balls, use gluten-free Bisquick baking mix.
- You can omit the red pepper flakes if you’d like these sausage balls less spicy.
- Do not overmix the sausage balls, as this will make them tough.
- Use a standard 1 tablespoon to create equal-sized balls that cook more evenly.
- Make sure to leave space between the sausage balls to let air circulate; otherwise, they may come out soggy. Air fry in batches if needed.
- Nutritional information does not include the sweet chili ketchup.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Air Fryer Sausage Balls Recipe
Equipment
- Air Fryer (click for my favorite)
Ingredients
- 1 pound mild pork sausage
- 8 ounces shredded cheddar cheese 1 bag
- 1 cup Bisquick baking mix
- 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes or to taste
For the Sweet Chili Ketchup (Optional)
- ½ cup ketchup
- 3 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
Instructions
- Grease air fryer basket with olive oil spray and set aside.
- In a large bowl, gently mix the sausage, cheddar cheese, bisquick, chopped parsley, and red pepper flakes together. Make sure to mix gently so you don’t end up with tough sausage balls. 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
- Scoop out 1 tablespoon sized portions (about the size of a golf ball) and roll them into smooth balls.
- Place as many balls as will fit into the air fryer, making sure not to overcrowd the basket.
- Bake at 375°F for 10 minutes, or until the sausage balls register 160°F on an instant-read thermometer.
- If you need to cook the sausage balls in batches, they can be kept warm on a baking sheet in a 200°F oven for up to 30 minutes.
- Enjoy these sausage balls warm or at room temperature.
For the Sweet Chili Ketchup
- Mix the ketchup and sweet chili sauce together until combined. Serve with sausage balls. ½ cup ketchup, 3 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
Notes
- You can use any kind of sausage you like for these sausage balls. Try hot Italian, breakfast, chicken, or turkey sausage!
- You can use any kind of cheese you like in place of the cheddar, such as white cheddar, pepper Jack, Colby, or Monterey Jack.
- For gluten-free sausage balls, use gluten-free Bisquick baking mix.
- You can omit the red pepper flakes if you’d like these sausage balls less spicy.
- Do not overmix the sausage balls, as this will make them tough.
- Use a standard 1 tablespoon to create equal-sized balls that cook more evenly.
- Make sure to leave space between the sausage balls to let air circulate; otherwise, they may come out soggy. Air fry in batches if needed.
- Nutritional information does not include the sweet chili ketchup.
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
