Rustic Homemade Stuffing Balls Recipe: Holiday Table Charm

Crispy, golden-brown stuffing balls have been my weekend culinary obsession lately.

These delightful morsels pack incredible flavor into every single bite.

My grandmother shared her treasured recipe decades ago, and I’ve perfected the technique through countless family gatherings.

Each ball combines traditional seasonings with a delicate, crunchy exterior that surprises guests.

The secret lies in selecting fresh herbs and allowing the mixture to rest before shaping.

Mixing ingredients requires gentle hands and a touch of patience.

You’ll want to serve these alongside roasted meats or as a standalone appetizer that sparks conversation.

Prepare to impress everyone at your next meal with these irresistible stuffing balls.

Why Stuffing Balls Wins at Every Table

• These stuffing balls transform traditional holiday side dishes into convenient, portable bites that everyone will love.
• Whip up these stuffing balls in under an hour, making them a perfect last-minute addition to any meal without complicated preparation steps.
• Kids and adults alike will enjoy the handheld nature of these stuffing balls, which offer familiar flavors in a fun, easy-to-eat format.
• Serve these as appetizers, side dishes, or party snacks that can be prepared ahead of time and easily reheated for gatherings and holiday meals.

What Goes in the Stuffing Balls

Main Ingredients:

• Bread Cubes: The foundation of the stuffing, essential for creating a hearty texture. Choose day-old or slightly stale bread for better absorption.
• Chicken Broth: Adds moisture and rich flavor to the stuffing mixture. Low-sodium broth works best for controlling salt levels.

• Onion, Celery, Garlic: Key vegetables for building deep, savory flavor. Fresh ingredients provide the best taste and texture.

• Egg: Helps bind the stuffing balls together and provides structure. Fresh eggs work best for optimal binding.
• Dried Sage, Thyme: Classic herbs that give traditional stuffing its signature flavor profile. Use dried herbs for concentrated taste.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings for enhancing overall taste. Adjust to personal preference.

• Parsley: Adds fresh, green notes to the stuffing. Chopped fresh parsley provides bright flavor.
• Parmesan Cheese: Offers a rich, savory element to the stuffing. Freshly grated cheese melts best.

• Butter: Used for sautéing vegetables and creating a golden exterior. Unsalted butter gives more control over seasoning.
• Parchment Paper: Prevents stuffing balls from sticking and ensures easy cleanup.

How to Prep the Stuffing Balls Easily

Step 1: Prepare Bread Cubes

Slice bread into small cubes. Spread them on a baking sheet and let air dry for several hours. Alternatively, lightly toast cubes in oven until slightly crisp to help prevent sogginess.

Step 2: Sauté Aromatic Vegetables

• Onions
• Celery
• Garlic

• Dried sage
• Thyme
• Salt
• Pepper

Remove from heat once vegetables are soft.

Step 3: Mix Stuffing Components

• Bread cubes
• Optional fresh parsley
• Optional grated Parmesan cheese

Pour chicken broth over mixture and gently toss until bread absorbs liquid evenly.

Step 4: Shape Delectable Spheres

Crack egg into mixture and blend thoroughly. Use hands to roll mixture into compact balls approximately 1-2 inches wide. If mixture feels dry, splash additional broth. Arrange spheres on parchment-lined baking sheet.

Step 5: Bake Golden Delights

Warm oven to 375°F. Slide baking sheet into oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. Watch for golden brown exterior and firm interior. Optional: Brush spheres with melted butter before baking for extra richness.

Step 6: Serve Warm Comfort

Allow stuffing spheres to rest briefly. Present as appetizing side dish or standalone starter. Enjoy immediately while warm and crispy.

Top Tips for Stuffing Balls Success

• Select the Right Bread: Choose day-old or slightly stale bread for better texture and absorption of flavors, ensuring your stuffing balls aren't too wet or crumbly.
• Moisture Management: Keep an eye on the liquid ratio by adding chicken broth gradually, preventing soggy or dry stuffing balls that could fall apart.
• Enhance Flavor Combinations: Experiment with herbs like rosemary or add crispy bacon bits for extra depth and a delightful crunch in your stuffing balls.
• Customize for Dietary Needs: Swap chicken broth with vegetable broth for a vegetarian version, or use gluten-free bread to make the recipe more inclusive.
• Perfect Baking Technique: Line your baking sheet with parchment paper and space stuffing balls evenly to achieve uniform golden-brown edges and consistent cooking.

Best Way to Keep Your Stuffing Balls Fresh

• Place leftover stuffing balls in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Wrap individual stuffing balls tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 1 month for best quality.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Spread stuffing balls on a baking sheet, cover with foil to prevent drying. Warm for 10-15 minutes until heated through.
• For quick reheating, microwave stuffing balls on a microwave-safe plate for 30-45 seconds. Check temperature and add extra time if needed.

What to Serve with Stuffing Balls

• Crisp, herb-infused stuffing balls complement the rich, juicy meat perfectly, creating a classic thanksgiving flavor combination that elevates the entire meal experience.
• Tart and sweet cranberry sauce provides a bright, zesty contrast to the savory stuffing balls, balancing the herbs and adding a vibrant flavor dimension.
• Medium-bodied red wine with subtle earthy notes harmonizes beautifully with the sage and thyme in the stuffing, enhancing the overall dining pleasure and bringing out deeper flavor nuances.
• Fresh, crisp green salad with light vinaigrette cuts through the richness of the stuffing balls, offering a refreshing palate cleanser and adding nutritional balance to the plate.

Ideas to Jazz Up Your Stuffing Balls

• Gluten-Free Stuffing Balls: Replace traditional bread with gluten-free bread cubes or almond flour bread, ensuring a celiac-friendly option.
• Vegetarian Herb Spheres: Swap chicken broth with vegetable broth and add extra mushrooms or lentils for protein and depth of flavor.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Stuffing Bites: Substitute bread cubes with riced cauliflower, creating a lighter, lower-carbohydrate alternative that's keto-friendly.
• Vegan Quinoa Stuffing Clusters: Use quinoa instead of bread, incorporate nutritional yeast for cheesy flavor, and bind with ground flaxseed instead of eggs.

Stuffing Balls Recipe

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4.8 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Comforting stuffing balls bring holiday warmth straight from Grandma’s classic kitchen to modern dining tables. Crispy golden exterior and herbed interior make these savory spheres an irresistible side dish you’ll crave at family gatherings.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 3 cups (710 ml) dried bread cubes
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup (240 ml) chicken broth
• ½ cup (115 g) butter

Vegetables:

• 1 cup (150 g) celery, diced
• 1 cup (150 g) onion, diced

Seasonings:

• 2 teaspoons poultry seasoning
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried)

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Instructions

1. Transform bread cubes into a crisp foundation by allowing them to air-dry for several hours or gently toasting in the oven, ensuring optimal moisture absorption without compromising texture.
2. Heat butter in a spacious skillet over medium temperature, introducing finely chopped onion, celery, and garlic. Sauté until vegetables become translucent and tender, approximately 5 minutes.
3. Infuse the sautéed vegetables with aromatic dried sage, thyme, salt, and pepper, creating a robust flavor profile. Remove from heat and allow ingredients to meld.
4. Transfer bread cubes into a generously sized mixing vessel, combining the fragrant vegetable mixture with optional parsley and Parmesan cheese for additional depth.
5. Gradually introduce chicken broth, carefully folding until bread becomes uniformly moistened without becoming overly saturated.
6. Incorporate a beaten egg into the mixture, gently binding the ingredients and enhancing structural integrity.
7. Craft uniform spherical portions using hands, adjusting moisture levels with additional broth if the mixture appears dry or crumbly.
8. Arrange stuffing spheres on a parchment-lined baking sheet, ensuring adequate spacing for even heating.
9. Preheat oven to 375F (190C), positioning rack in central location for consistent cooking.
10. Bake for 20-25 minutes, rotating midway to achieve golden-brown exterior and thoroughly heated interior.
11. Optional: Brush with melted butter before final minutes of baking to enhance color and richness.
12. Allow stuffing balls to rest briefly before serving, presenting as an elegant side dish or sophisticated appetizer.

Notes

• Choose day-old bread for better texture and absorption, ensuring your stuffing balls stay moist without becoming mushy.
• Avoid wet bread by lightly toasting cubes in the oven or letting them air-dry for a few hours before mixing with other ingredients.
• Experiment with different herbs like rosemary or thyme to customize the flavor profile and add personal flair to your stuffing balls.
• For a gluten-free version, swap regular bread with gluten-free bread cubes or use cauliflower rice as a low-carb alternative.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 220
• Sugar: 1g
• Sodium: 350mg
• Fat: 14g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 20g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 5g
• Cholesterol: 80mg