How does your family feast for the holidays? Are they a formal sit-down bunch, or do they prefer a more casual, potluck Thanksgiving vibe? If your gatherings sound more like the latter, then these stuffing balls need to be part of your menu.
I remember the first time I went to my in-laws for the holidays and experienced stuffing balls for the first time, among other traditional Thanksgiving sides. My husband explained that they were the cornerstone of his family’s Thanksgiving. It only took me one bite to decide that this recipe would forever become part of my family’s holiday spread too.
With a fun, festive appearance, stuffing balls are the perfect Thanksgiving side dish to serve when the occasion calls for slow cookers and party platters rather than fine china and heirloom tablecloth. This poppable and portable stuffing balls recipe is a hit with kids and adults alike and pairs perfectly with other buffet-style holiday recipes.
What are stuffing balls?
Loaded with all of the same ingredients as your favorite classic Thanksgiving stuffing recipe, rather than stuffing the mix into a turkey or spreading it into a pan, the stuffing is molded into balls and baked to golden perfection. Aside from being super cute, stuffing bites make serving a breeze since they’re pre-portioned. Our favorite way to serve this recipe for stuffing balls is buffet-style, arranged in a slow cooker or chafing dish to keep warm with a side of homemade gravy for drizzling, dipping and dunking.
Ingredients for Stuffing Balls
- Aromatics: Celery and onion flavors the stuffing balls and adds a delightful savory aroma.
- Butter: Cooking the celery and onion in butter will release their aromatics and the fat lends moisture to the stuffing balls.
- Soft bread cubes: Save the dehydrated stuffing cubes for another stuffing recipe. For stuffing balls, opt for cubes of soft white bread since they’re easier to shape.
- Walnuts: Chopped walnuts offer a wonderfully warm, earthy taste and subtle crunch to the stuffing balls.
- Herbs and spices: This recipe for stuffing balls keeps things simple with a blend of fresh parsley for color and a bit of salt, black pepper and poultry seasoning for plenty of classic Thanksgiving flavor.
- Chicken broth: The stuffing needs plenty of moisture from chicken broth so it can be easily shaped into balls.
- Egg: The egg serves as the ‘glue’ to help bind the stuffing ingredients together, so the balls retain their shape as they bake in the oven. Egg is a common ingredient in many of our best stuffing recipes.
Directions
Step 1: Shape the balls
Preheat the oven to 375°F. Melt the butter in a large, deep skillet over medium heat, then add the celery and onion. Cook and stir until tender, about three to five minutes, then remove from the heat.
Add the remaining ingredients and stir until moist and evenly mixed.
Shape into eight balls.
Step 2: Bake
Place the balls on a greased baking sheet. Bake the stuffing balls for 20 minutes or until they’re golden and slightly firm to the touch. They should reach an internal temperature of 160°.
Recipe Variations
- Switch up the bread: Try making this recipe for stuffing balls with buttery cornbread. To do so, swap the bread cubes for an equal amount of cornbread.
- Toss in dried fruit: For a little color and sweetness, you can add up to 1/2 cup of dried cranberries or golden raisins to the stuffing before shaping into balls.
- Make apple stuffing balls: For apple lovers, try these apple stuffing balls.
- Add sausage: For a meaty, protein-packed stuffing balls recipe, add 1 cup of cooked and crumbled ground pork sausage to the stuffing mixture. We bet you could also make stuffing balls with Ina Garten’s sausage and herb stuffing.
- Make bite-size stuffing balls: For a festive Thanksgiving appetizer, shape the stuffing balls into smaller, bite-sized balls. This recipe should yield 18 to 24 small balls. Note that the cooking time will be less since the balls are smaller in size. To prevent overcooking, watch closely and pull them from the oven as soon as they reach an internal temperature of 160°.
How to Store Stuffing Balls
This recipe for stuffing balls may be kept refrigerated in an airtight food storage container for three to four days. To reheat, warm in a 350°F oven until the stuffing balls reach an internal temperature of 160°. Alternatively, you can warm gently in a microwave in a microwave-safe dish. Here are more tips for reheating Thanksgiving leftovers.
Can you freeze stuffing balls?
Yes! Baked stuffing balls may be stored in an airtight food storage container and kept in the freezer for up to three months. To enjoy, thaw completely in the refrigerator and then reheat as directed above. Here are more freezer-safe Thanksgiving recipes.
Can you make stuffing balls ahead of time?
Yes. You can prepare this stuffing balls recipe ahead through Step 3 of the recipe. Once shaped, transfer the balls to an airtight food storage container, separating with layers of parchment if necessary, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to enjoy, let the stuffing balls come to room temperature and then bake as directed. Here are more make-ahead Thanksgiving recipes.
Stuffing Balls Tips
Why are my stuffing balls falling apart?
If your stuffing balls are falling apart, they may need additional moisture. To remedy this, add additional chicken broth one tablespoon at a time until the stuffing holds its shape when formed into balls.
How do you know when stuffing balls are done cooking?
Since this stuffing balls recipe contains egg, it’s important to cook them completely for food safety reasons. Use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature of the stuffing balls. When the centers register 160°, they’re ready to serve.
What should you serve with stuffing balls?
If you love dressing, stuffing balls are a wonderful way to enjoy this Thanksgiving side dish all year round. Their more casual appearance and ease of preparation make them an approachable choice for even the busiest weeknights. Enjoy with your favorite seasoned roast turkey or try with baked pork chops, a spatchcock chicken or any one of these 30-minute sausage dinners.
