Our Most Popular Appetizer Of All Time

I am someone who could easily make a meal out of appetizers. They’re often my favorite part of a gathering with family and friends, and I find it all too easy to fill up on hearty offerings like stuffed mushrooms and spinach artichoke dip before dinner is served.

When preparing a spread of snacks for parties at my own house, simplicity is always top of mind. I usually go with a combination of store-bought bites, like a tub of hummus paired with pre-cut veggies and pita chips, and a couple of things I can whip up myself without sweating.

That’s why I was so happy to learn that our most popular appetizer of all time here at Simply Recipes—sausage balls—is a three-ingredient wonder. Even better, the recipe comes from the grandmother of our associate editorial director, Laurel Randolph. They’re decidedly retro and cheesy, plus it’s nearly impossible to eat just one. 

Call Them Sausage Balls or Puffs—Either Way, They’re Delicious

You only need a pound of bulk sausage, Bisquick baking mix, and shredded cheddar cheese to make this easy appetizer. It was a staple of Laurel’s family holiday gatherings growing up, and even our associate social director, Brooke Schuldt, has fond memories of platters at family celebrations, though she calls them sausage puffs while Laurel knows them as sausage balls.

Whatever you call them, they are as easy as combining the three ingredients in a bowl, forming the mixture into walnut-sized balls, and baking them on a sheet pan for 20 to 25 minutes.

A Recipe That’s Flexible to Make and to Serve

There’s lots of room to make these sausage balls your own:

• Use spicy sausage instead of mild for a kick.
• Swap in chicken, turkey, or beef sausage instead of pork sausage.
• Play around with the shredded cheese and try sharp cheddar, pepper Jack, mozzarella, or even a Mexican or Italian cheese blend instead of regular cheddar.
• Sprinkle in some spices like garlic or onion powder, smoked paprika, chili powder, or Italian seasoning to boost the flavor even further.

Plus, how you choose to serve them is flexible, too:

• Serve them plain as an appetizer, or pair them with a dipping sauce like ketchup, mustard, barbecue sauce, or even warm marinara sauce.
• These sausage balls also make a great breakfast for kids (and adults!), especially alongside scrambled or fried eggs.
• Roast a sheet pan of vegetables in the oven while you bake the sausage balls—combined, they become a quick and comforting dinner.