Name: Air Fryer Sausage Balls
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 20
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1lb Breakfast Sausage; 2 Cups Pancake Mix (like Bisquick); 1 (8oz) Block Cream Cheese; 1 Cup Cheddar Cheese, shredded; 1/4 Cup Parsley, chopped; 1 Teaspoon Garlic Powder

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Once I had tried cooking my sausage balls in the air fryer there was no going back. Crispy outside, soft and juicy inside - air fryer sausage balls are going to be your new favorite party food.

Side view and close up of some sausage balls.

I normally like to bring out the sausage balls for game day and super bowl, or parties where finger food is the norm.

You could even serve it as a delicious appetizer, depends on the setting. They're a massive crowd pleaser.

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❤️ Why you'll love it
🧅 Ingredients
🥣 Instructions
🔄 Substitutions and Variations
🔌 Equipment
📘 Other Air Fryer Recipes
🧊 Storage
💡 Tips
Air Fryer Sausage Balls

❤️ Why you'll love it

You can have these sausage cheese balls in your air fryer in 5 minutes. It's quick, super quick.
What's more addictive than breakfast sausage? I tell you, I don't know. These sausage balls are literally my favorite snack.
These are perfect as make ahead breakfast snacks.
As it is an air fryer recipe it's a healthier option.
Make these for your next party.

🧅 Ingredients

Breakfast sausage
Pancake Mix (like Bisquick)
Cream Cheese
Sharp Cheddar Cheese (freshly shredded cheese)
Parsley
Garlic Powder

See recipe card at the bottom of this post for quantities.

🥣 Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your air fryer. Add all ingredients to the bowl of your stand mixer and mix sausage until totally combined. (Or add to a large mixing bowl and use your hands).
Step 2: Take 2 tablespoons of the sausage mixture and using your hands roll into about 1-½ inch balls. Repeat with the rest of the mixture.
Step 3: Lightly spray the basket for your air fryer with cooking spray. Lay out the sausage balls 1" apart in a single layer in the air fryer basket (you may need to cook in 2 batches depending on the size of your air fryer).
Step 4: Air fry sausage balls for 10 minutes until golden brown. Once cooked, if you're cooking 2 batches, use tongs and place the cooked sausage balls on a baking sheet while you cook the rest.

Sausage Balls laid out on a pan after being cooked in the air fryer.

Hint: I typically offer ketchup with our sausage balls, but really they go with pretty much any dip.

🔄 Substitutions and Variations

Italian Sausage - Italian ground sausage instead of breakfast sausage.
Spicy Sausage - if you like a little heat try using a spicy sausage.
Almond Flour - For a keto version replace the cup of bisquick with almond flour.
Red Pepper Flakes - Add a little heat by adding a pinch of red pepper flakes.
Monterey Jack - Swap out the cheddar cheese for Monterey Jack (or any other favorite cheese).
Sour Cream - try swapping out a little cream cheese for sour cream.
Turkey Sausage - a little healthier option.
Rosemary Leaves - another herb I've heard people like to add.
Pork Sausages - you could use pork sausages but you'll have to increase the amount of spices you add.
Crescent Roll Dough - try using this instead of the pancake mix.
Maple Syrup - this tastes great added.
Hot Sausage - if you like the heat.

Overhead shot of a plate full of air fryer sausage balls and a small bowl of ketchup.

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🔌 Equipment

The following are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

I have a link to the type of air fryer I use, in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

📘 Other Air Fryer Recipes

You should also try these sausage balls with my southern white gravy. They're delicious.

🧊 Storage

Once cooled completely store the cheesy sausage balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator, for up to 4 days.

Place in a freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months.

💡 Tips

Expert Tip: To reheat bring back to room temperature then pop them back into the air fryer again for 1-2 minutes to stay crispy.

If you’ve tried these Air Fryer Sausage Balls or any other great recipe on my site, let me know in the comment section below, how it turned out, we love hearing from our readers!

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