Enjoy a deliciously cheesy gluten-free sausage balls recipe without having to buy speciality ingredients! These easy sausage cheese balls require 5 simple ingredients without requiring premade mixes, like Bisquick or pancake mix. They bake up golden and fluffy, with no greasiness, are make-ahead, freezer-friendly and include a bonus spicy sweet hot honey mustard dipping sauce!
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Easy Gluten-Free Sausage Balls (No Bisquick)
If you have not tried one of the best gluten-free appetizers ever, we need to change that immediately! I recently served GF sausage cheese balls at a holiday party and I couldn’t believe how fast they disappeared! Not only was the platter wiped clean, but everyone couldn’t get enough of the hot honey mustard dipping sauce.
What I didn’t tell my guests was how ridiculously easy they were to make. A simple combination of breakfast sausage, grated cheddar cheese, gluten-free flour, baking powder and milk is all it takes to impress guests!
As an added bonus for the host, just like my famous gluten-free spinach balls with spicy sweet mustard, sausage balls without Bisquick can be prepped ahead and either refrigerated or frozen. When ready to serve they are baked right from frozen and ready to serve in 20 minutes.
The hot honey mustard dipping sauce is ample for the entire recipe, which yields 60 balls, or enough to serve about 15-20 guests. If you are having a smaller event, freeze half the sausage cheese balls and prepare a half recipe of the dipping sauce.
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Ingredient Tid Bids
This easy app is without gluten-free Bisquick because I don’t like having to buy expensive speciality ingredients. Bisquick contains lard, so some sausage ball recipes use melted butter in its place. I used this same shortcut when making our go-to sausage muffin recipe.
I tested the recipe both ways and when adding melted butter, the balls were very greasy since the sausage also releases grease as it cooks. When omitting the butter, they baked up with the perfect fluffy texture.
- Breakfast Sausage – You will need 1 pound of pork sausage. I have not tested the recipe with turkey sausage, but since it doesn’t contain drippings, adding 2 tablespoons of melted butter would probably prevent them from being too dry.
- Cheddar Cheese – Freshly grated is best for smoother melting. I recommend sharp cheddar cheese for more flavor, but any cheese would work great.
- Gluten-Free Flour – Any all-purpose gluten-free brand will work in this recipe.
- Baking powder – Since these are made without a Bisquick mix, baking powder is added for a lighter texture.
- Milk – Most sausage ball recipes with flour give a range of milk to use. I find this a little misleading because the mixture will hold together without any milk. However when making a GF recipe for sausage balls, the milk adds moisture so they aren’t dry or crumbly. A full 1/2 cup seemed to be the ideal amount.
Let’s Make This Together!
(Below shows step-by-step photos and modified instructions. For the complete recipe, along with ingredient amounts, scroll down to the recipe card.)
Easy sausage cheese mixture
In a large mixing bowl whisk together the gluten-free flour, baking powder and salt. Stir in the grated cheddar cheese.
Add the sausage and milk. You can use a wooden spoon to mix it together, but I find it easier to just use my hands, like you would mix a meatloaf. If this grosses you out you can always slip on a pair of plastic (food-safe) gloves!
Roll and bake…or freeze.
Grab slightly heaping 1 tablespoon of sausage mixture and evenly roll into a ball. You could also use a small cookie scoop for even portions.
If baking right away pop in a 350℉ oven 20 minutes. If using this as a make-ahead GF app, then freeze the balls, then transfer to a ziplock freezer bag. When ready to enjoy, bake straight from frozen!
Yummy Modifications and Bonus Dipping Options
While this cheesy sausage appetizer tastes amazing with the 5 simple ingredients, there are many ways to amplify flavor. Use any preferred cheese, but freshly grated is best. Add any spices, like garlic powder, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, cayenne or black pepper. You can also use a spicy pork sausage or add diced jalapeño and cayenne pepper.
If you would like to try something besides the spicy honey mustard sauce, or offer a variety of choices for guests, ranch, pimento cheese, or a sour cream herb dip would also work. If you are buying a premade sauce or dressing, be sure to read ingredient labels.
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Did you make this recipe? I love hearing from you! Leave a star rating and comment below the recipe card. It helps others when searching for recipes and I appreciate feedback from our community. You will always hear back from me! -Melissa
Cheesy Gluten-Free Sausage Balls (Not Greasy)
Ingredients
Gluten-Free Sausage Balls
- 2 cups gluten free all purpose flour
- 3 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 16 ounces freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 pound ground pork breakfast sausage
- ½ cup milk
Hot Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup dijon or stone ground mustard, or a combination of both
- 3 tablespoons honey
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- If baking immediately, preheat the oven to 350℉. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl whisk together the gluten-free flour, baking powder and salt. Stir in the grated cheddar cheese.2 cups gluten free all purpose flour, 3 teaspoons baking powder, ½ teaspoon salt, 16 ounces freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese
- Add the sausage and milk. You can use a wooden spoon to mix it together, but I find it easier to just use my hands, like you would mix a meatloaf. Break up the meat and make sure all the ingredients are evenly incorporated.1 pound ground pork breakfast sausage, ½ cup milk
- Either use a small cookie scoop to evenly portion out the dough or grab slightly heaping 1 tablespoon of sausage mixture and evenly roll into a ball. Place on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 20 minutes, or until golden and the internal temperature reaches 160℉. (See recipe notes for make-ahead or freezer directions) Meanwhile, make the dipping sauce.
- For the sauce, combine all the ingredients in a small bowl. If you are only serving half the sausage balls, make a half recipe of the sauce. Cover and refrigerate any leftovers. It may be used for a sandwich spread, veggie, chip or pretzel dip.½ cup mayonnaise, ¼ cup dijon or stone ground mustard, 3 tablespoons honey, ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Notes
Make-Ahead and Freezing
To refrigerate, shape the balls and then place on a baking sheet. Cover securely with plastic wrap and refrigerate up to 6 hours. I don’t recommend longer than that because they will dry out. For longer storage, use the freezing option. Place the balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze until solid. Transfer the balls to a ziplock freezer bag and freeze up to 3 months. When ready to bake, place back on a lined baking sheet and bake from frozen. When recipe testing, I experimented with baking frozen balls, and I did not have to add any additional time. You may have to add 1-3 minutes more depending on your oven.This post contains affiliate links. My opinions are always my own. If you purchase a product through an affiliate link, I make a small commission – at no cost to you. Read full disclosure policy here.
These were super easy and a huge hit! The sauce is amazing as well! I made them ahead of time, which was a nice option during a busy time!
Agreed! I made them for ahead of time for Thanksgiving and froze them. I like being able to pull out whatever I need, depending on how many people and appetizers we have.
Thanks for writing!
Best,
Melissa
I think the flour in this recipe needs to be cut in half… 2 cups was a ridiculous amount. Left it almost more flour than sausage
Hello,
Sorry for any possible frustrations, but did you bake them? I just made them again yesterday and I assure you 2 cups of flour is the right amount. When it’s mixed together it’s mostly cheese and sausage and the flour just the binder.
Best,
Melissa
I am planning on making these for a dinner party tomorrow night. Do you think the texture will be the same if I bake before the party and then zap in the microwave to do a quick heat up?
Hi Lori,
Sorry for the delay, but yes, that would be fine! I would wrap them in a damp paper towel and just make sure they aren’t overheated or they will become tough.
Best,
Melissa
After baking and cooling (so as if you are taking to a get together), can you zap these in the microwave for a quick reheat?
Yep, of course! I do it all the time! You can wrap them in a damp paper towel to make sure they don’t dry out.
Best,
Melissa
Do you cook the sausage first or leave it uncooked?
Hi Christina,
You leave it uncooked and it bakes in the oven. They are delicious!
Best,
Melissa
These are absolutely amazing!
I absolutely agree! They are impossible to stop eating!
Best,
Melissa