Introduction: Why Turkey Stuffing Balls Deserve a Spot at Your Table

The holidays are a time of warmth, laughter, and indulgent flavors — and nothing captures that cozy feeling quite like Turkey Stuffing Balls. These bite-sized wonders take all the best parts of traditional stuffing — the savory herbs, buttery bread, and aromatic veggies — and roll them into perfectly portioned spheres of crispy, golden joy.

They’re not only delicious but also practical. Instead of scooping soggy stuffing from the turkey cavity, you can bake these balls ahead of time and serve them as an easy-to-share side dish or appetizer. Whether you’re hosting Thanksgiving, Christmas dinner, or a casual Sunday roast, Turkey Stuffing Balls will bring texture and flavor that complement any festive spread.

Want to balance your savory dishes with something sweet? Pair them with some apple dessert ideas for the holidays — like cozy apple bars or crumble treats — to complete your fall feast.

Before you dive into baking, make sure your food prep is safe by reviewing proper handling tips on FoodSafety.gov.

What Are Turkey Stuffing Balls?

At their core, Turkey Stuffing Balls are everything you love about classic stuffing, but baked in individual portions. They’re crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and packed with savory herbs and roasted flavors.

Unlike traditional stuffing baked in a dish, these handheld versions:

Crisp up beautifully — thanks to their rounded shape
Cook evenly, ensuring no soggy middles
Serve easily — perfect for buffets or family-style platters

They originated as a modern twist on the English “stuffing ball,” a concept that brings convenience and creativity to festive meals.

Essential Ingredients for Perfect Turkey Stuffing Balls

Creating the perfect batch starts with a balance of texture, flavor, and moisture. Here’s what you’ll need:

Bread base: Use day-old white, sourdough, or cornbread cubes.
Aromatics: Finely chopped onion, celery, and garlic.
Herbs: Fresh or dried sage, thyme, and parsley.
Binder: Eggs and chicken broth (or turkey drippings).
Butter: Adds richness and helps brown the crust.
Optional add-ins: Cranberries, toasted nuts, sausage, or cheese.

Step-by-Step Recipe: Classic Turkey Stuffing Balls

Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients

Cube your bread and toast lightly until firm.
Sauté onion, celery, and garlic in butter until translucent.
Stir in herbs and a pinch of salt and pepper.

Step 2: Mix Everything

In a large bowl, combine bread cubes with the cooked vegetables and herbs.
Pour in turkey broth or drippings until moist but not soggy.
Add beaten eggs to bind the mixture.

Step 3: Form the Balls

Scoop the mixture into small balls (about golf-ball size).
Place them on a parchment-lined baking tray.

Step 4: Bake

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Bake for 20–25 minutes, turning halfway through, until golden brown.
For an extra crispy crust, brush each ball with melted butter before baking.

Variations on Turkey Stuffing Balls

Here are some fun twists:

Sausage Stuffing Balls: Add browned sausage crumbles for depth.
Vegetarian Version: Substitute mushrooms or lentils for turkey drippings.
Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free bread or oats.
Make-Ahead Freezer Version: Prepare, freeze raw, and bake later.

If you love seasonal baking and fall flavors, don’t miss Gremdo’s fall dessert recipes like pumpkin truffles that perfectly match your holiday table.

Serving Suggestions

You can serve Turkey Stuffing Balls as:

Appetizers: Pair them with spicy dips and Halloween party snacks like Gremdo’s Halloween Buffalo Chicken Dip.
Dinner sides: Combine with easy one-pan dinner recipes such as Chicken Sausage Broccoli Orzo.
Party bites: Add to platters alongside party appetizers and finger foods.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Overmixing – makes them dense.
Too dry – add more broth or butter.
Under-seasoning – taste before baking.
Overbaking – watch for golden brown, not dark brown.

Storing and Reheating Turkey Stuffing Balls

Refrigerate: 4 days.
Freeze: 3 months.
Reheat: Oven at 350°F for 10–12 mins.

Nutritional Information and Health Tips

Approx. per ball:

120–150 calories
6g fat, 15g carbs, 5g protein

Use whole-grain bread and low-sodium broth for a healthier twist.

FAQs

1. Can you make them ahead of time?
Yes! Refrigerate or freeze before baking.

2. How to keep them from falling apart?
Ensure proper egg and broth ratio.

3. Can they be air fried?
Yes — 350°F for 10–12 mins.

Conclusion

Turkey Stuffing Balls are the perfect mix of tradition and convenience. Pair them with comforting sides, or serve them solo as the star of your next celebration.

With internal links to sweet apple bars, savory orzo dinners, and fall dessert recipes, you can craft a full, festive menu — all from Gremdo’s kitchen to yours.

Homemade Turkey Stuffing Balls fresh out of the oven

The Ultimate Guide to Turkey Stuffing Balls: A Holiday Favorite

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Print Recipe

These Turkey Stuffing Balls are the ultimate comfort food — golden and crispy on the outside, soft and flavorful on the inside. Packed with sage, thyme, onions, celery, and buttery bread cubes, they capture all the cozy holiday flavors in one bite. Perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas dinner, or even as a weeknight side dish, they’re easy to make ahead and reheat beautifully.

Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 12 balls 1x

Ingredients

Scale

For the Stuffing Balls:

6 cups day-old bread cubes (white or sourdough preferred)
1 stick (½ cup) unsalted butter
1 medium onion, finely diced
2 stalks celery, finely diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp dried sage (or 2 tsp fresh, chopped)
1 tsp thyme
½ tsp rosemary (optional)
Salt and black pepper, to taste
1 ½ cups chicken or turkey broth (warm)
2 large eggs, lightly beaten

Optional Add-ins:

½ cup cooked sausage crumbles (for a meaty version)
¼ cup dried cranberries
¼ cup chopped pecans or walnuts
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Bread Base

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
Spread bread cubes on a baking sheet and toast for 8–10 minutes, until dry but not browned.

Step 2: Cook the Aromatics

In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat.
Add onions, celery, and garlic; cook for about 5 minutes, until softened and fragrant.
Stir in herbs — sage, thyme, rosemary — along with a pinch of salt and pepper.
Remove from heat and let cool slightly.

Step 3: Combine Everything

In a large bowl, combine toasted bread cubes and the cooked vegetable mixture.
Pour in the warm broth gradually, stirring gently until the bread is moist but not soggy.
Add beaten eggs and mix lightly to bind.
If desired, fold in sausage, cranberries, and nuts for extra flavor.

Step 4: Form the Balls

Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
Scoop out about ¼ cup of the mixture and shape into balls (about the size of a golf ball).
Place each ball on the tray, leaving space between them.

Step 5: Bake

Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20–25 minutes, turning halfway through for even browning.
The Turkey Stuffing Balls are done when golden brown and slightly crisp on the outside.

Notes

For extra flavor, replace part of the broth with turkey drippings.
To make them vegetarian, use vegetable broth and skip sausage.
Chill the mixture for 15 minutes before rolling — it helps hold the shape.

Want extra crispness? Brush the tops with melted butter before baking.

Author: chef agh
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: dinner
Diet: Vegetarian