The Best Fluffy Pancakes recipe you will fall in love with. Full of tips and tricks to help you make the best pancakes.
Every holiday table deserves a side dish that’s nostalgic, comforting, and deliciously crispy. These Crispy Baked Stuffing Balls are the perfect twist on classic stuffing—easy to make, fun to serve, and always a crowd-pleaser. Instead of the soft, casserole-style stuffing you might be used to, these stuffing balls bake into golden, perfectly portioned bites with crispy edges and a tender, savory center.
Stuffing balls are one of those dishes that impress guests without making you work hard in the kitchen. They take all the classic flavors of traditional holiday stuffing—bread, celery, onions, herbs, butter—and shape them into adorable, bite-sized rounds that bake beautifully. Serve them as a side dish, appetizer, or even as part of a festive grazing board. They’re perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, potlucks, or any cozy winter meal.
Another bonus? They reheat amazingly well, making them ideal for meal prep, holiday leftovers, or make-ahead dinners. Plus, baking them helps achieve maximum crispiness without frying or extra oil.
If you’re ready to upgrade your holiday menu with a dish that is simple, crispy, and absolutely delicious, these baked stuffing balls are the answer.
Why You’ll Love These Crispy Stuffing Balls
✨ Crispy Outside, Soft Inside
The perfect texture contrast—golden, crunchy edges with a tender center.
✨ Incredibly Easy
Just mix, roll, and bake. No special equipment needed.
✨ Perfect for Holidays
A fun twist that fits right in with turkeys, hams, mashed potatoes, and gravy.
✨ Make-Ahead Friendly
Prepare them the night before, refrigerate, and bake fresh the next day.
✨ Great for Leftovers
Use leftover bread, stale rolls, or extra stuffing from Thanksgiving.
✨ Kid-Friendly
Easy to eat, perfectly portioned, and mild in flavor.
Ingredients
For the Stuffing Balls
- 6 cups dried bread cubes (or stale torn bread)
- 1 cup celery, finely chopped
- 1 cup onion, finely chopped
- 3 tbsp butter
- 1 ½ cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp poultry seasoning
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Optional Add-Ins
- Cooked sausage
- Cranberries
- Chopped pecans
- Fresh herbs (sage, thyme, rosemary)
- Parmesan cheese
Instructions
1. Prep the bread
Place bread cubes in a large mixing bowl. If fresh, toast lightly in the oven first.
2. Sauté vegetables
In a skillet, sauté onions and celery in butter until soft and fragrant.
3. Combine mixture
Pour the cooked vegetables over the bread cubes. Add seasoning and parsley.
4. Add broth & eggs
Pour broth evenly over the mixture. Add eggs and mix gently until moist but not soggy.
5. Form stuffing balls
Roll into golf-ball sized portions and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
6. Bake
Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20–25 minutes, or until golden and crispy.
7. Serve
Enjoy warm with gravy, cranberry sauce, or as part of a holiday spread.
Crispy Baked Stuffing Balls
Golden, crispy stuffing balls baked to perfection—an easy and delicious holiday side dish made with bread cubes, herbs, broth, and sautéed vegetables.
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Sauté celery and onion in butter until soft.
- Add sautéed vegetables to bread cubes with seasoning and parsley.
- Pour broth over mixture, then add eggs. Mix gently until moist.
- Form into balls and place on baking sheet.
- Bake 20–25 minutes until crispy and golden.
Notes
Brush with melted butter before baking for extra crispiness.
Expert Tips for Perfect Stuffing Balls
Use dried bread:
Dry bread absorbs liquid better, giving structure to the stuffing balls.
Don’t oversoak:
Add broth slowly. You want moistness—not mush.
Add extra crispiness:
Brush the tops with melted butter before baking.
Mix gently:
Overmixing makes the stuffing heavy.
Space evenly:
Give them room on the baking sheet so they can crisp all around.
Flavor Variations
🔥 Savory Sausage Stuffing Balls
Add cooked sausage for a protein boost.
🍇 Cranberry Herb Version
Add dried cranberries and fresh thyme.
🧀 Parmesan Garlic Stuffing Balls
Mix in grated Parmesan + extra garlic.
🌿 Vegetarian Herb Balls
Use veggie broth + double the herbs.
What to Serve with Baked Stuffing Balls
These stuffing balls pair beautifully with:
- Roast turkey
- Ham
- Mashed potatoes
- Green bean casserole
- Gravy
- Cranberry sauce
- Holiday salads
- Chicken dinners
They also make an amazing appetizer—serve warm with dipping gravy!
Storage & Reheating
Refrigerator:
Up to 4 days.
Freezer:
Freeze up to 2 months.
Reheat:
Bake at 350°F for 10 minutes to re-crisp.
Why This Recipe Always Impresses
Crispy Baked Stuffing Balls are festive, fun, and ridiculously easy. They take classic holiday flavors and transform them into irresistible bite-sized portions that everyone loves. Whether you’re hosting a full holiday feast or just want a comforting side for dinner, these crispy stuffing balls deliver big flavor with minimal effort.
