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Golden, crispy sausage balls served on a white plate with dipping sauce on the side—perfectly cooked in the air fryer and ready to enjoy

Perfect Sausage Balls in Air Fryer – 20-Min Recipe

Ifra Shahnawaz
These crispy, golden sausage balls are the perfect snack or breakfast bite! Made with just three main ingredients and cooked in the air fryer for a quick, mess-free finish. No oven needed—ready in just 20 minutes!
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Appetizer, Breakfast, Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 20 balls
Calories 130 kcal

Equipment

  • airfryer

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb ground sausage mild, spicy, or Italian
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese shredded
  • 1 ¾ cups baking mix like Bisquick or Jiffy
  • Optional: 2 tbsp cream cheese for extra creaminess
  • Optional Seasonings: ¼ tsp red pepper flakes chopped herbs (parsley, thyme), ¼ tsp garlic powder

Instructions
 

  • Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 390°F (200°C) and let it preheat for 3–5 minutes.
  • Step 2: Mix the Ingredients: Preheat your air fryer to 390°F and cook for 10 minutes—it’s that simple! Mix thoroughly with clean hands or a stand mixer until a sticky dough forms.
    Mixing sausage, shredded cheese, and baking mix in a large mixing bowl with hands.
  • Step 3: Shape the Sausage Balls: Roll the mixture into 1-inch balls. Using a cookie scoop makes it easy to get uniform sizes for even cooking.
    Rolling sausage mixture into uniform 1-inch balls using an ice cream scoop.
  • Step 4: Air Fry to Perfection: Place the sausage balls in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving a little space between each one.Cook in the air fryer at 390°F for 10–12 minutes, turning halfway through, until they're golden brown and cooked through.
    Placing uncooked sausage balls spaced out evenly inside the air fryer basket.
  • Step 5: Serve & Enjoy: Let them cool slightly before serving. Pair with your favorite dip like honey mustard, ranch, or BBQ sauce.
    sausage balls in air fryer

Notes

💡 Notes & Pro Tips
  • No baking mix? Use a mix of 1 cup flour + 1 tsp baking powder + pinch of salt.
  • Preheat your air fryer for max crispiness.
  • Don’t overcrowd the basket—work in batches if needed.
  • Add cream cheese or different cheeses (like Monterey Jack) for variations.
  • Keto? Replace the baking mix with almond flour and a small pinch of xanthan gum for a low-carb alternative.
🧊 Storage & Reheating
  • Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
  • Freezer: Flash freeze raw or cooked balls, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months.
 
  • To Reheat:
    • From fridge: Air fry at 350°F for 5–6 minutes
    •  From Frozen: Air fry at 330°F for 12–14 minutes, flipping halfway through for even cooking.
Keyword sausage balls in air fryer