A simple Southern appetizer, Bisquick Sausage Balls are made with just three things: sausage, cheddar cheese, and Bisquick. They’re easy to make and take less than 30 minutes. These sausage balls are great for parties and as a snack on game day.
I grew up in Oklahoma, where these Bisquick sausage balls were on the menu at every Christmas party. I served these at my annual holiday party, after moving to California, and everyone raved about them. When I asked people if they had ever had them, they all said no. That’s when I knew they were only found in the Midwest and South!
Naturally, I’ve kept up the tradition of serving this Bisquick sausage balls recipe at almost every party I’ve had since I moved to California. That’s right, I’ve now made them 375 times!
That might be a bit of an exaggeration, but I really have made them that many times! This recipe is a little different from others you might find online or even on the Bisquick box. I’ve found the best mix of Bisquick mix, sausage, and cheese after making them a huge number of times.
If you follow this recipe for Bisquick sausage balls, the mixture will never be dry or fall apart when you try to shape it into balls. It has the perfect ratio of all three ingredients that result in moist, flavorful sausage balls every time!.
These sausage balls only need three things to be made and can be used for any event, from the Super Bowl to a holiday party. They’re an easy snack, appetizer, or brunch recipe, and always a hit with adults and kids alike!.
Sausage balls are a tasty and convenient appetizer for any occasion. They are often requested at potlucks, parties, and family gatherings. But who has time to make sausage balls from scratch right before an event? This is where freezing uncooked sausage balls can save the day!
Freezing sausage balls before cooking allows you to make a big batch in advance so you always have them ready to bake and serve. But to properly freeze and thaw sausage balls, it helps to follow some guidelines.
In this complete guide, you’ll learn:
- The benefits of freezing uncooked sausage balls
- Step-by-step instructions for freezing
- Tips for thawing and cooking frozen sausage balls
- How to store cooked sausage balls
- Answers to common freezing questions
So read on for everything you need to know about successfully freezing sausage balls before cooking!
Why Freeze Sausage Balls Before Cooking?
Here are some of the biggest benefits of freezing uncooked sausage balls
- Make ahead convenience – Freeze a big batch to have ready whenever needed
- Smart time management – Avoid last minute prep when short on time
- Inventory on hand – Always have a tasty appetizer ready to cook and serve
- Easy entertaining – Pull from the freezer to serve at parties with no hassle
- ** Avoid waste** – Freeze extras instead of leftovers expiring
As you can see, freezing sausage balls in advance just makes life a little easier!
How to Freeze Uncooked Sausage Balls
Follow these simple steps for freezing sausage balls before cooking:
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Make sausage ball dough – Prepare dough as directed in your recipe, mixing sausage, cheese, and biscuit mix together.
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Form into balls – Roll dough into 1-inch balls, the same size you would normally cook them.
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Arrange on baking sheet – Place balls on a parchment lined baking sheet without overcrowding.
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Freeze – Pop baking sheet in freezer for 1-2 hours until solid.
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Transfer to freezer bags – Remove rock hard frozen balls and pack into freezer bags or airtight containers.
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Label and return to freezer – Seal bags, label with contents and date, and store flat in freezer.
That’s all there is to it! Now you’ll have a stash of sausage balls ready for cooking anytime.
Thawing and Cooking Frozen Sausage Balls
Cooking frozen sausage balls couldn’t be easier. Here are your options:
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Bake frozen – Place frozen balls on a baking sheet and bake as normal, adding a few extra minutes to compensate for frozen state.
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Thaw in fridge overnight – For less time in oven, thaw overnight in fridge before baking.
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Microwave to thaw – Microwave frozen balls in 30 second bursts, flipping between, until thawed. Finish cooking in oven.
No matter which method you use, cook sausage balls until lightly browned on the outside and hot and fully cooked inside. An instant read thermometer should register 165°F.
Storing and Reheating Cooked Sausage Balls
For enjoying cooked sausage balls later, here are some storage tips:
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Allow cooked sausage balls to cool completely before storing.
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Place in airtight container or resealable plastic freezer bag.
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Refrigerate for up to 4 days.
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Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in fridge before reheating.
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Reheat in microwave or oven until hot, 165°F internally.
Answers to Common Freezing Questions
Freezing sausage balls may bring up some questions for first-timers. Here are answers to some frequently asked queries:
How long do frozen raw sausage balls last?
Properly frozen, uncooked sausage balls maintain quality for 2-3 months in the freezer. Label bags with date for tracking.
Can you freeze already cooked sausage balls?
Yes, cooked sausage balls can be frozen too. Let cool completely first. Reheat from frozen until hot, 165°F.
Is it better to freeze sausage balls raw or cooked?
Freezing uncooked sausage balls is preferred to preserve texture better. But cooked can be frozen too.
Can you freeze different flavors like maple sausage balls?
Yes, any flavor sausage ball recipe can be frozen raw. The flavor profile remains when cooked from frozen.
Do you need to thaw sausage balls before cooking?
Thawing is optional. You can bake frozen sausage balls without thawing first. Just add a few extra minutes to the cook time.
How do you reheat frozen cooked sausage balls?
Frozen pre-cooked sausage balls can be reheated in the microwave or oven until heated through, about 165°F.
Can sausage balls be refrozen once thawed?
It’s not recommended to refreeze thawed sausage balls. Cook within 1-2 days for food safety.
Do sausage balls get soggy after freezing?
If frozen properly in an airtight bag, sausage balls retain their texture very well when cooked from frozen state.
How can you reheat sausage balls without drying them out?
Cook at 300°F wrapped in foil instead of higher heat to gently reheat without drying them out.
Get an Appetizer Head Start by Freezing
From game day snacks to holiday potlucks, freezer-ready sausage balls are a time-saving appetizer lifesaver. Follow the guidance in this article to successfully freeze, store, thaw and reheat sausage balls. Your party planning and hosting duties just got a little bit easier thanks to make-ahead frozen sausage cheese balls!
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How to store and reheat
Store leftover Bisquick sausage balls in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Reheat the sausage balls in the oven or air fryer, for the best texture. In the oven, reheat the sausage balls on a foil-lined baking sheet at 400°F for 6-8 minutes.
In the air fryer, reheat the sausage balls at 400°F for 4-5 minutes.
They’ll not be quite the same after being warmed up in the microwave for 60 seconds on a plate, though.
You can freeze cooked sausage balls for up to 3 months. Make sure the balls are cooled completely before storing them in a freezer-safe container. Let the sausage balls thaw in the fridge for 24 hours before cooking them again in the oven or air fryer and serving.
What to serve with them
Serve these sausage balls on their own, or with a dipping sauce. They really don’t need a sauce, but I like my food saucy, so I sometimes put a small bowl of sauce on the side for dipping. You don’t have to, but any of these dressings or sauces go great with these sausage balls.
Serve these bisquick sausage balls and these other sausage ball recipes if you want to make a “sausage ball bar,” like I have done at parties before.
Making and Freezing Sausage Balls
FAQ
Can you freeze sausage balls before baking?
How long can you refrigerate sausage balls before cooking?
How do you reheat frozen cooked sausage balls?
How do you store baked sausage balls?
Can sausage balls be frozen?
Put the sausage balls in a freezer-safe, sealed plastic container. At the top of the container, leave a headspace of at least 1/2 inch. The sausage balls can also be frozen in a disposable aluminum baking sheet or a baking dish. Put at least two layers of heavy-duty aluminum foil over the dish before slipping it into a large plastic freezer bag.
How do you cook frozen sausage balls?
Raw sausage balls: Place frozen balls on a baking sheet. Bake at 400°F, 20-25 minutes until cooked through and browned. An instant-read thermometer should read 165°F. Cooked sausage balls: Place frozen balls on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 10-15 minutes until heated through. Microwaving is not recommended.
Can you freeze Bisquick sausage balls?
Assemble the sausage balls the same way. Leave space in between each sausage ball or they will not cook even. Cook at 370 degrees for 6-10 minutes or until your sausage Bisquick balls are fully cooked. Cook your sausage balls as directed, whether oven or air fryer. Once cooled, place in a freezer safe container and freeze for up to three months.
How do you store frozen sausage balls?
Package the sausage balls in an airtight plastic container or a resealable plastic bag. Because the sausage balls are frozen individually, they won’t stick together and you can remove them as needed. Label the sausage balls.