If you’re craving a cozy, flavorful side dish that brings that comforting holiday vibe any time of the year, this Stuffing Balls Recipe is exactly what you need. These golden, perfectly baked bites are bursting with savory herbs, tender onion and celery bits, and a texture that’s crisp outside and wonderfully soft inside. Whether you’re serving a crowd or just want a delicious snack to savor, these stuffing balls are easy to whip up and sure to become a beloved classic in your repertoire.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are simple staples but come together to create magic, providing a perfect balance of moisture, seasoning, and texture that makes these stuffing balls so irresistible.
- 4 cups dry stuffing mix: The base ingredient that delivers the quintessential bread-and-herb flavor and texture.
- 1 cup chicken broth: Adds moisture and depth, ensuring the stuffing balls stay tender.
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted: Brings richness and helps bind all the ingredients together.
- 2 eggs, beaten: Acts as a natural binder to keep everything intact during baking.
- 1 small onion, finely chopped: Adds sweetness and a subtle savory punch.
- 1/2 cup celery, finely chopped: Introduces a fresh crunch and herby flavor.
- 1 tsp poultry seasoning: The secret seasoning mix that ties all the flavors beautifully.
- Salt and pepper to taste: Essential for balancing and enhancing every bite.
- Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish: A dash of color and freshness to finish off your creation.
How to Make Stuffing Balls Recipe
Step 1: Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet
Start by heating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, which is a simple step that prevents sticking and helps in easy clean-up after baking your delicious stuffing balls.
Step 2: Combine Ingredients
In a large bowl, mix your dry stuffing mix with warm chicken broth and melted butter until it’s nicely moistened. Then add the beaten eggs, finely chopped onion and celery, poultry seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir gently until everything is well incorporated—this mixture is the foundation of your stuffing balls, so take your time to mix evenly.
Step 3: Form Balls
Using your hands, shape the mixture into golf ball-sized portions. This size ensures they cook evenly and have that perfect bite. Place each ball on your prepared baking sheet, making sure to leave a little room between them for even baking.
Step 4: Bake to Perfection
Bake your stuffing balls for 20 to 25 minutes, or until they turn a beautiful golden brown and feel firm to the touch. The aroma while baking is enough to get anyone excited, and when they’re done, you’ll have crispy exteriors with soft, flavorful centers.
Step 5: Serve and Garnish
Remove the stuffing balls from the oven and let them cool just a bit. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley to add a burst of color and a little fresh flavor that brightens the dish right before serving.
How to Serve Stuffing Balls Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh parsley is a classic and gorgeous garnish that brings out the green flecks in your stuffing balls. You can also try a light drizzle of gravy or a sprinkle of shredded cheese for extra indulgence. These simple touches elevate the visual appeal and taste.
Side Dishes
Stuffing balls pair beautifully with roasted meats like turkey, chicken, or pork. They also complement a vegetable medley or a creamy mashed potato side perfectly, making your meal feel complete and comforting.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve your stuffing balls on skewers with cranberry sauce for dipping. You can also display them on a festive platter surrounded by fresh herbs and small bowls of sauces like honey mustard or aioli for guests to customize their bites.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftover stuffing balls, simply place them in an airtight container and refrigerate. They’ll stay fresh for up to 3 days and maintain their delicious flavor and texture.
Freezing
You can freeze uncooked stuffing balls by placing them on a baking sheet in the freezer until firm, then transferring them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep well for up to 2 months and bake straight from frozen, just adding a few extra minutes to the cook time.
Reheating
To reheat, arrange your stuffing balls on a baking sheet and pop them into a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes, or until heated through and crispy again on the outside. Microwave reheating tends to soften the crust, so oven warming is the way to go for best texture.
FAQs
Can I make stuffing balls vegetarian?
Absolutely! Simply swap the chicken broth for vegetable broth and ensure your stuffing mix doesn’t contain meat-based ingredients. The rest of the recipe works perfectly for a vegetarian-friendly version.
How do I get crispy stuffing balls?
Don’t skip the step of lining your baking sheet with parchment paper and make sure the oven is fully preheated. Baking at 350°F allows the outsides to crisp nicely while keeping the centers moist.
Can I use homemade stuffing instead of dry mix?
You can, but keep in mind homemade stuffing might have more moisture, so you may need to adjust the amount of broth or eggs to get the right consistency for shaping into balls.
What’s the best way to serve these at a party?
Serve them warm on a platter with variety of dipping sauces like cranberry chutney, honey mustard, or a simple gravy. They’re a crowd-pleaser finger food that guests can easily enjoy.
How long do stuffing balls last in the fridge?
Stored properly in an airtight container, they’ll keep for about 3 days. For longer storage, freezing is highly recommended.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about a well-made Stuffing Balls Recipe that brings heartwarming flavors and fun to your table. Whether it’s for a holiday, a weeknight dinner, or a party appetizer, these bites are simple to make yet pack a big taste punch. I can’t wait for you to try this recipe and see how it becomes a go-to favorite in your kitchen!
Print
Stuffing Balls Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 24 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These savory stuffing balls are a delicious and easy side dish perfect for holiday meals or anytime comfort food is needed. Made with dry stuffing mix, chicken broth, and fresh vegetables, they are baked to golden perfection and garnished with fresh parsley for a flavorful finish.
Ingredients
Stuffing Mixture
- 4 cups dry stuffing mix
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup celery, finely chopped
- 1 tsp poultry seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent the stuffing balls from sticking during baking.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the dry stuffing mix with chicken broth and melted butter until the mixture is moistened. Add the beaten eggs, finely chopped onion, celery, poultry seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together thoroughly to ensure all ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Form Balls: Using your hands or a spoon, shape the stuffing mixture into golf ball-sized portions. Place each ball on the prepared baking sheet with enough space between them to allow for even baking.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the stuffing balls are golden brown on the outside and firm to the touch.
- Serve: Remove the stuffing balls from the oven and allow them to cool slightly. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving to add a burst of color and flavor.
Notes
- You can substitute vegetable broth for chicken broth to make this recipe vegetarian.
- For extra crispiness, broil the balls for an additional 1-2 minutes at the end of baking—watch carefully to prevent burning.
- These stuffing balls can be made ahead and reheated in the oven before serving.
- To add a bit of zing, consider mixing in some finely chopped sage or thyme with the poultry seasoning.
