How to make the best sausage balls with pancake mix from scratch with fresh ingredients like sharp cheddar, parmesan, and juicy pork sausages. These Jimmy Dean Sausage Cheese Balls will have everyone saying, “these are the best sausage balls I have ever had!”
Sausage Balls with Pancake Mix?
Maybe you are confused. Sceptical. Maybe even outraged … Sausage balls with pancake mix? What?!
Here’s the thing: the pancake mix is not just filler. Bisquick (or any similar mix) has a blend of flour, leavening agents, fat, and salt. That combination helps the sausage balls hold together, gives them a tender, biscuit-like texture, and adds just the right amount of lift so they don’t turn out dense or greasy. In other words, it’s the glue and the fluff all in one.
What makes these Sausage Balls with Pancake Mix Special?
So what exactly did I change?
- First, we swapped out cheddar cheese for a whole block quality Extra Sharp Cheddar. Yes, you heard correctly: a 16 oz. block of cheese!
- Next, swapped out dried herbs with fresh herbs from the garden. (Or the produce aisle of the grocery store)
- Finally, we opted for high quality Parmesan Cheese rather than sprinkling in the kind from that green container that can easily be confused for cardboard!
Everything else in the original recipe stays the same including measurements and cooking time!
Ingredient Highlight: Bisquick Pancake Mix
For this recipe, I use Betty Crocker’s Bisquick Pancake Mix, which is my go-to because it has the right balance of flour and leavening to create sausage balls that are light but still hearty. I’ve also tested this with Aldi’s brand, Baker’s Corner Baking Mix, and it works beautifully.
Other pancake mixes like Pioneer or Krusteaz can be substituted, but you may notice slight differences in flavor and texture. Bisquick just has that classic flavor profile that makes these sausage balls taste like the ones everyone grew up loving—only better.
If you’ve got leftover Bisquick, put it to work in other recipes, too. Try my Sausage Cheese Biscuits for a fluffy breakfast side, or treat yourself to something sweet with these Banana Nutella Swirl Pancakes. That little yellow box is more versatile than you think!
Top Tips: Getting the Technique Right
Before mixing in the Bisquick pancake mix, mix everything by hand. Really working the cheese and herbs into the sausage. I really like this mixture to be well combined before adding the Bisquick. It distributes the ingredients evenly so every ball tastes the same. When you add the Bisquick work it in by hand also. (Your hands are going to get a good workout from this recipe.)
Tear sausage into pieces when adding it to the mixing bowl. This will make it easier to mix it into the other ingredients.
Dealing with Leftover Sausage Balls and Reheating
If you have leftovers, place these breakfast sausage balls in an airtight container and refrigerate. To reheat place on a microwave-safe plate and reheat for 30 seconds or until heated through.
The same reheating instructions apply if they sat out too long at a party or potluck.
Sausage cheese balls don’t taste as good if they get cold, so pop them in the microwave to restore them to their glory. So keep an eye on them and reheat them as necessary.
Easy Pancake Sausage Ball Recipe
Best Sausage Ball with pancake mix made with high quality ingredients for a flavorful, rich, and fluffy sausage cheese ball appetizer.
Ingredients
- 3 cups Bisquick
- 1 pound uncooked bulk pork sausage
- 16 oz. Sharp Cheddar Cheese, shredded
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup milk
- ½ teaspoon fresh rosemary leaves, crushed
- 1 ½ teaspoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350F. Lightly grease a large baking sheet or use a Silpat baking mat
- In a large bowl, with your hands mix together all ingredients except Bisquick. Once ingredients are blended, use your hands to work in the Bisquick thoroughly.
- Shape mixture into 1-inch balls. Place on cookie sheet.
- Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until brown. Immediately remove from pan.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 40 Serving Size: 1 ballAmount Per Serving: Calories: 129Total Fat: 8.6gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.4gUnsaturated Fat: 0.8gCholesterol: 23mgSodium: 206.4mgCarbohydrates: 6.7gFiber: 0.3gSugar: 0.6gProtein: 7.9g
