Description
These Spicy Jalapeño Popper Sausage Balls are a zesty, cheesy bite. Perfect for parties or a satisfying snack. Get the recipe for this crowd-pleaser!
Ingredients
Scale
- Base Mix:
- 1 lb (450g) ground breakfast sausage (mild or hot)
- 1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- Cheesy Goodness:
- 8 oz (226g) cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups (226g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- Flavor Boosters:
- 2–3 fresh jalapeños, deseeded and finely minced
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- 1/4 tsp black pepper (adjust to taste)
Instructions
- Prep the Peppers:: First things first for your Spicy Jalapeño Popper Sausage Balls: grab those jalapeños. Carefully deseed them and mince them up super fine. If you want more heat, leave a few seeds; if you’re a wimp like me sometimes, go seedless. Just remember to wash your hands really well afterward, or better yet, wear gloves. I once rubbed my eye after chopping peppers, and it was a moment I won’t soon forget!
- Mix the Cheesy Heart:: In a large bowl, toss in your softened cream cheese and shredded cheddar. Get in there with your hands, or use a sturdy spoon, and really mash them together until they’re mostly combined. This step ensures that creamy goodness is evenly distributed throughout these cheesy bites. It’s a little sticky, but so worth it for that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Combine the Sausage & Dry Goods:: Now, add your ground sausage, all-purpose flour, baking powder, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to the cheese mixture. This is where the magic happens! I use my hands for this part – it just works better. Squish and mix until everything is thoroughly combined. You don’t want any pockets of plain flour or unmixed sausage, so really get in there. The mixture should feel firm but pliable, ready for shaping.
- Fold in the Heat:: Gently fold in your minced jalapeños. You want them to be dispersed evenly throughout the mixture for consistent spice in every bite of your Spicy Jalapeño Popper Sausage Balls. Don’t overmix at this stage; just get those little green bits spread out. The aroma is already starting to build, a promise of the deliciousness to come!
- Shape ‘Em Up:: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper – a step I rarely skip, it makes cleanup so much easier. Now, take small spoonfuls of the mixture and roll them into 1-inch balls. They don’t have to be perfectly round, hon, just uniform enough so they bake evenly. My kitchen usually looks like a flour explosion at this point, but hey, that’s part of the fun!
- Bake to Golden Perfection:: Arrange your Spicy Jalapeño Popper Sausage Balls on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each one. Pop them into the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until they’re beautifully golden brown and cooked through. They’ll smell absolutely heavenly as they bake, filling your kitchen with a warmth that just screams “comfort food!” Let them cool a few minutes before diving in.