These crispy on the outside, tender on the inside sausage cheese balls are absolutely addictive. Perfect for holiday party season! If you have a holiday party and I’m invited (I hope I’m invited!), I’ll be hanging out at the appetizers, just eating away, awkwardly avoiding conversation unless it’s about said appetizers. I swear I could live on appetizers (or mini food items) because I love variety. But then again, if I really like something, I can eat a lot of it and mini makes it more fun. Fun like these sausage cheese balls.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar (I used a mix of sharp cheddar and sharp white cheddar)
• 1.25 lb. hot Italian or breakfast sausage, casing removed
• 1/2 cup sliced green onions
• Grating of fresh nutmeg, optional
• 2 tablespoons milk

Helpful Hints:

• Make ahead: Prepare the mix, form the balls, and place them in the fridge until ready to bake.
• Use a cookie scoop for uniform balls.
• A mix of sharp cheddar and sharp white cheddar gives a great flavor.
• Fresh nutmeg adds a unique touch but is optional.

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 450°F. Line a large baking sheet with foil and lightly oil it.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir in the cheese, then mix in the sausage, green onions, and nutmeg with your hands until it comes together like a dough.
3. Add the milk, mixing until just combined and you can form balls of sausage with your hands.
4. Using a cookie scoop, scoop the mixture into 1-inch balls, placing them on the prepared baking sheet.
5. Bake at 450°F for 12 to 15 minutes, or until cooked through. Turn the broiler on for 1-2 minutes for extra color.
6. Let rest for 5 minutes (they need to cool slightly before they will release from the foil), then enjoy hot or at room temperature!