Air Fryer Sausage Balls
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Sausage balls have been a staple at every party I’ve thrown, and these Air Fryer Sausage Balls get golden and perfectly cooked in a fraction of the time. Packed with savory Italian sausage, melty cheddar, and just enough pancake mix to hold it together, each bite is hearty and cheesy. That lemon sauce makes them impossible to put down.
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I make these for game day spreads, holiday parties, and potlucks because they’re easy to make in big batches and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that even kids love. They make a great appetizer or hearty breakfast bite and disappear fast every single time. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days and reheat in the air fryer to bring those crispy edges back.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll need all the ingredients shown in the photograph below.
How to Make Air Fryer Sausage Balls with Step-By-Step Instructions
Scroll down for the full recipe card containing a full printable recipe and measurements in both US customary and metric units.
Let’s walk through exactly how to make this cheesy, golden sausage balls recipe and that incredible lemon sauce from start to finish.
Mix the Sausage Ball Mixture
Add the ground sausage, buttermilk pancake mix, finely diced yellow onion, shredded cheddar cheese, and salt into a large mixing bowl. I use ground sweet Italian sausage, but you can also use ordinary ground pork sausage, ground turkey, or ground chicken.
For the shredded cheese, I stick with regular cheddar, but you can switch to sharp cheddar cheese for a sharper bite, parmesan cheese for a nuttier, savory flavor, pepper jack for spicy sausage balls, Monterey Jack, or Colby Jack if you like them milder.
Get in there with your hands and mix everything together until the sausage mixture is uniform and sticky.
Don’t be shy about it. Hand mixing is really the best way to get everything fully incorporated, so each ball holds together well.
DO MORE WITH YOUR
AIR FRYER
This eBook is a collection of 86 recipes I make again and again in my own kitchen. If you love good food and easy instructions, this book was made for you.
Immediate eBook download. No physical book available.
Includes ad-free recipes like:
∙ Cheesy Egg Bites
∙ Broccoli Cheddar Soup
∙ Asparagus Casserole
∙ Walking Taco Casserole
∙ Chocolate Cake Cookies
...and much more!
Portion and Air Fry
Use a 1-ounce cookie scoop to portion the meat mixture and form sausage balls of the same size. Place the uncooked sausage balls in the air fryer basket lined with parchment or a silicone air fryer liner.
Set air fryer to 320°F (160°C), then air-fry the balls for 15 minutes, until a meat thermometer registers an internal temperature of 160°F. They’ll come out golden brown and fully cooked through with a satisfying texture that holds up well for dipping.
Make the Lemon Dipping Sauce
While the sausage balls are cooking or right after, combine the minced garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, maple syrup, soy sauce, cornstarch, and water in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens.
If you prefer a thinner consistency, add a little extra water to loosen it up. Set the sauce aside once it reaches your preferred thickness.
Serve and Enjoy
Place the cooked sausage balls on a serving plate and serve warm alongside the lemon dipping sauce. Dig in and enjoy!
These sausage balls travel well, making them a go-to for potlucks, game-day events, and outdoor gatherings. Let them cool completely before packing them into an airtight container or a zip-top bag to prevent condensation from making them soggy.
If you want to keep them warm, transport them in an insulated food carrier. Bring the lemon dipping sauce separately in a small lidded jar or container.
Ingredients
- 1 pound Italian ground sausage
- 1 ½ cups buttermilk pancake mix
- ½ yellow onion finely chopped
- 2 cups cheddar cheese shredded
- 1 teaspoon salt
Lemon sauce:
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 4 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 lemon zest
- 3 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- ¼ cup water
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine ground sweet Italian sausage, buttermilk pancake mix, finely diced yellow onion, cheddar cheese, and salt.1 pound Italian ground sausage, 1 ½ cups buttermilk pancake mix, ½ yellow onion, 2 cups cheddar cheese, 1 teaspoon salt
- Mix the ingredients with your hands until the mixture is uniform and sticky.
- Using a 1-ounce cookie scoop, portion the mixture into balls and place them in the air fryer basket.
- Bake in the air fryer at 320°F (160ºC) for 15 minutes.
- In a small saucepan, combine all the sauce ingredients and cook over medium heat, stirring until it thickens (you can adjust with water if you want the sauce to be more runny). Set aside.1 garlic clove, 4 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 lemon zest, 3 tablespoons maple syrup, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, ¼ cup water
- Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
DO MORE WITH YOUR
AIR FRYER
This eBook is a collection of 86 recipes I make again and again in my own kitchen. If you love good food and easy instructions, this book was made for you.
Immediate eBook download. No physical book available.
Includes ad-free recipes like:
∙ Cheesy Egg Bites
∙ Broccoli Cheddar Soup
∙ Asparagus Casserole
∙ Walking Taco Casserole
∙ Chocolate Cake Cookies
...and much more!
How to Store Leftovers
If you’re making these sausage balls ahead or have any leftovers, let them cool completely on a cooling rack before transferring them to an airtight container lined with wax paper. They’ll keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Reheat them in the air fryer at 320°F or in the oven for a few minutes to restore that fresh texture. Store the lemon dipping sauce separately in a small sealed container or a mason jar in the fridge as well.
To freeze, arrange the cooled sausage balls in a single layer on a freezer-safe baking sheet and flash-freeze for about an hour. Then, transfer the frozen sausage balls to a freezer bag or container. They’ll keep in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Reheat straight from frozen in the air fryer at 320°F until heated through. Note that the dipping sauce doesn’t freeze well, so it’s best made fresh.
What to Serve With Air Fryer Sausage Balls
The lemon dipping sauce that comes with the recipe is already a perfect pairing, but if you want to round out a full spread, these easy and delicious appetizers go well alongside a creamy ranch or honey mustard dip for anyone who wants a more classic flavor.
A simple veggie tray with celery, carrots, and cucumber slices keeps things balanced and fresh next to the richness of the sausage and cheese.
For a heartier spread, pair them with sliders, a bowl of queso, or loaded potato skins for a game-day table that covers all the bases. They’re also a staple during the holiday season and work just as well alongside scrambled eggs and fresh fruit for brunch, where the savory cheesy bites fit right in.
More Easy Recipes for You to Try at Home
Love quick and easy appetizers? Here are more air fryer recipes to try.
About the Author
Hey there! I’m Mandy
Mandy Applegate is a home cook, food blogger, and writer who believes the best meals are the ones shared with the people you love.
She’s all about easy recipes that taste amazing, the kind that make ordinary days feel a little more special and remind you why cooking at home matters.
She has been published on NBC, the Daily News, the Boston Herald, and the Chicago Sun-Times, amongst many others.
