• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Mama Knows Gluten Free logo

  • Home
  • About
  • Recipes
    • Baking
    • Desserts
    • Breakfast
    • Dinner
    • Dairy-Free
  • Newsletter
  • Cookbook
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Gluten-Free 101
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • Recipes Index
    • Baking
    • Desserts
    • Breakfast
    • Dinner
    • Dairy-Free
  • Cookbook
  • Subscribe
  • About
    • Contact
    • Privacy
  • Gluten-Free 101
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Home
    • Recipes Index
      • Baking
      • Desserts
      • Breakfast
      • Dinner
      • Dairy-Free
    • Cookbook
    • Subscribe
    • About
      • Contact
      • Privacy
    • Gluten-Free 101
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Breakfast

    Gluten-Free Sausage Balls {Dairy-Free Option}

    Published: Apr 20, 2017 · by Audrey

    • Facebook
    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe
    gluten-free sausage balls

    A twist on the original Southern recipe for sausage balls is now gluten-free. Perfect for breakfast, the holidays or your next party. The recipe also has a dairy-free option.

    gluten-free sausage balls in a basket with a blue kitchen towel

    Sausage Balls

    Marrying a Southerner opened up a whole new world of food for me. I had never tasted a sausage ball until we moved back to my husband’s hometown of Knoxville, Tennessee.

    I remember the first time I tasted these scrumptious little balls of biscuit, sausage, and cheddar cheese. I was at our church’s mothers meeting and one of the ladies brought them as her appetizer to share. I was blown away by their texture and flavor.

    I immediately asked her how to make them. She said it was simple, the sausage balls were made with”Bisquick, sausage, cheddar cheese, and milk”. Super easy Bisquick sausage balls!

    Well, I went home that night and told my husband all about this perfect bite of sausageness. Yes, sausageness is a word, sausage is serious business in the South. Ok, I just made it up, but you get what I mean, right?

    My husband looked at me like I was crazy. Sausage balls are a Southern staple for breakfast, holidays, church functions, parties and game day (Go VOLS!).

    This was all news to me, but it started my family’s love affair with sausage balls. It’s so crazy to me that something so simple can be so amazingly delicious.

    Years later, when I went gluten-free, I knew I had to make a gluten-free version of our beloved sausage balls.

    gluten-free- sausage balls on a baking pan

    How To Make Gluten-Free Sausage Balls

    • In a large bowl mix the gluten-free Bisquick, spices, cheeses, and brown sugar together with a spoon.
    • Add the milk and stir until fully combined.
    • Add the sausage and mix with your hands and make small 1″ balls. You can use a rounded tablespoon or a cookie scoop to make your balls. (See the recipe video below.)
    • Bake for 22 to 26 minutes until golden brown.
    • Enjoy!

    Homemade Gluten-Free Bisquick Mix

    If you do not have the gluten-free Bisquick, you can make your own with this recipe.

    These gluten-free sausage balls are the perfect balance of biscuit, sausage, cheese, and spices. I even added a little brown sugar to my recipe, because I like maple syrup on my sausage. Don’t you?

    Dairy-Free Baking

    I have also included a dairy-free option for the recipe. My husband, myself and youngest son are all dairy-free as well. So now, you too can enjoy a gluten-free and a dairy-free sausage ball.

    For the dairy-free version of this recipe, I used Daiya Cheddar Style Shreds and almond milk.

    Some of my favorite dairy-free alternatives that I like to bake with are almond, cashew or coconut milk. I also like baking with coconut oil or Earth Balance or Smart Balance butter.

    baked gluten-free sausage balls on a pan

    Gluten-Free Appetizers

    This recipe makes enough gluten-free sausage ball for a small army, so you could easily cut the recipe in half (unless your small army is like mine and demolishes them in one day). These are perfect to make as an appetizer, as a snack or to serve for breakfast.

    These crowd-pleasers also freeze and reheat well.

    So, if you want to get your gluten-free sausage and biscuit fix, these little Southern sausage darlings will make your day!

    See how easy the recipe for Gluten Free Sausage Balls is in the video below.

    gluten-free sausage balls Pinterest pin

    More Gluten-Free Appetizer Recipes For You To Try!

    •  Gluten-Free Buffalo Chicken Bites
    • Gluten-Free Pizza Bites
    • Gluten-Free Sticky Asian Wings
    Print Pin
    5 from 9 votes

    Gluten-Free Sausage Balls

    A twist on the original Southern recipe for sausage balls is now gluten-free. Perfect for breakfast, holidays or your next party.
    Course Appetizer, Breakfast
    Cuisine American
    Keyword gluten-free sausage balls, sausage balls
    Prep Time 10 minutes
    Cook Time 26 minutes
    Total Time 36 minutes
    Servings 18
    Calories 53kcal
    Author Audrey from Mama Knows Gluten Free

    Ingredients

    • 3 cups gluten-free Bisquick If you don't have gluten-free Bisquick see the recipe notes to make your own.
    • 4 cups shredded cheddar cheese dairy-free use Daiya cheddar style shreads
    • 1 cup grated parmesan cheese dairy-free do not use
    • 2 packages of the 16oz gluten-free sausage rolls I like Jenny O Turkey sausage rolls
    • 1 ½ cups milk dairy-free use almond, cashew or coconut milk
    • 2 tablespoons sage
    • 1 tablespoon paprika
    • ½ cup brown sugar optional, leave out if you are not a fan of maple flavored sausage

    Instructions

    • Heat oven to 350 degrees.
    • Spray two cookie sheets with cooking spray or line with parchment paper.
    • In a large bowl mix the gluten-free Bisquick, spices, cheeses and brown sugar together with a spoon.
    • Add the milk and stir until fully combined.
    • Add the sausage and mix with your hands and make small 1" balls. You can use a rounded tablespoon to make your balls. (See the recipe video.)
    • Bake for 22 to 26 minutes until golden brown.
    • Leftovers can be refrigerated or frozen.
    • Enjoy!

    Video

    Notes

    If you do not have the gluten-free Bisquick, you can make your own with this recipe.
    Store in an air-tight container.
    Mama says, "Always check your labels!"

    Nutrition

    Serving: 2balls | Calories: 53kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 110mg | Potassium: 26mg | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 105IU | Calcium: 59mg | Iron: 0.2mg
    Pin Recipe
    Did you enjoy this recipe? Please give it a star rating below in the comments. Thank you!
    GET MY NEW COOKBOOK!Check out The Everything Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free Cookbook!
    DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?Share a recipe pic with me and mention @MamaKnowsGlutenFree and use the tag #mamaknowsglutenfree!

     

    • Facebook

    Click To View More Recipes

    Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. To learn more check my Disclosure page.

    © MAMA KNOWS GLUTEN FREE. All images & content are copyright protected. Please do not use my images without prior permission. If you want to republish this recipe, please link back to this post for the recipe.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Vicki Woodard says

      October 29, 2022 at 6:57 pm

      Hey, I’ve not tried this recipe yet? Can you add dairy free parmesan cheese?

      Reply
      • Audrey says

        November 26, 2022 at 11:16 am

        Hi Vicki! Yes you can use dairy-free cheese in the recipe. I use both dairy-free cheddar cheese shreds and dairy-free parmesan cheese in the recipe all the time.

        Reply
    2. Ann says

      February 18, 2022 at 8:35 pm

      A great alternative to the gluten and dairy laden recipe which I made for years. I made these GF/DF sausage balls for a Thanksgiving gathering and they were eaten before the sausage balls made from the “regular” recipe. My children liked that these sausage balls had a little added sweet taste and many did not realize that they were GF and DF.

      Reply
    3. Alesha says

      January 02, 2022 at 8:45 pm

      These are the absolute best. So moist and delicious. Made them for my Daughter in law that has to have gluten and dairy free. She said this was the best Christmas gift ever as she loves sausage balls but hasn’t been able to eat them since her diagnosis. Such a treat for her but our entire family practically inhaled them.

      Reply
    4. Mary says

      January 01, 2021 at 12:13 pm

      Thank you for the sausage ball recipe!! I do not enjoy cooking and the thought of going gluten free and dairy free all at once really scared me. These were the bit of comfort food I needed to let me know it was going to be OK. I look forward to looking around your blog for more recipes to try.

      Reply
    5. Leisha says

      September 27, 2020 at 2:43 pm

      These are delicious! I grew up eating sausage balls on holidays and have wanted some since switching to GF. No one would know they’re GF and they taste just as good as a remember from my childhood. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
    6. Abby Valas says

      December 18, 2019 at 8:36 pm

      Oh my gosh!!! These are amazing! They’re so moist and delicious. I was nervous about the brown sugar, so I only added 1/4 cup. The brown sugar makes all the difference and gives them the best flavor! Thanks for this recipe. It’ll be in our rotation from now on.

      Reply
      • Audrey says

        December 18, 2019 at 9:50 pm

        Thank you so much Abby for the awesome 5-star recipe review! I am so happy that you enjoyed the sausage balls. I love maple sausage, so the brown sugar gives it that flavor. I am so glad that you like it too and these will not be in your rotation. You are so welcome, I love sharing what I make for my family. Thanks again!

        Reply
    7. Mylin says

      July 01, 2019 at 9:03 pm

      I know not all GF flours are created equal but can I use any gluten free flour for this such as King Arthur GF flour or Pillsbury GF flour for the Sausage Ball recipe?

      Reply
      • Audrey says

        July 02, 2019 at 8:15 am

        Hi Mylin! I have never tried this recipe with the King Arthur gluten-free flour but I have made the homemade gluten-free Bisquick with the Pillsbury gluten-free flour. I have use the homemade gluten-free Bisquick recipe and the sausage balls turned out delicious. Please let me know if you decide to try the recipe and make your own gluten-free Bisquick using King Arthur or Pillsbury. I hope you enjoy them!

        Reply
    8. Jennifer says

      March 24, 2019 at 1:05 pm

      I absolutely love these. I make them at least once a month. They last great in the fridge for a few days and I always have them frozen for a quick on the go work breakfast- even for work. If in the fridge I microwave for about 40 seconds and longer if frozen.

      Some tips:
      1) I use 2 cups white cheddar and 2 cups yellow cheddar for a full recipe or 1 cup of each for a 1/2 recipe.
      2) Whether I make a full or 1/2 recipe I find I need more milk then the recipe calls for. I always start with what the recipe calls for and add more as I go if it’s too dry.
      3) I used one roll of jimmy dean hot sausage and 1 roll of regular. If I 1/2 the recipe I use half of each; combine the rest of the sausage in a zip loc and freeze or use for something else.
      4) You need 1 full box of bisquick and part of a 2nd box for a full recipe. I have never been able to make a full recipe on just one box of busquick.
      5) definitely use a small scoop and silpat sheets when baking. I find 22 min works for me.

      My dad likes these as patties or breakfast sliders (as he calls them) so I scope and then flatten with my palm.

      Baking time for me is 22-24 min.

      Reply
      • Audrey says

        March 25, 2019 at 8:36 am

        Thank you so much Jennifer for the wonderful 5-star recipe review! I am so happy that you enjoy the sausage balls. Thank you for all of your tips. Are you still using the parmesan cheese with the cheddar cheese? Not using the parmesan cheese can change the moisture of the sausage balls and maybe that is why you have to add more milk. Thank you again!

        Reply
    9. Micki says

      January 14, 2019 at 8:38 pm

      Made these sausage balls Christmas eve night and refrigerated them. Christmas morning, I popped them in the oven! The house smelled wonderful and when they were done, the bowl was passed around – several times! The few that were leftover were reheated the next morning and the grandsons fought over who would get them! What a hit! Will definitely be making them again! Super easy! Thank you, Audrey, for sharing your recipes. They are especially good at feeding a mixed gluten/ gluten-free family!

      Reply
      • Audrey says

        January 20, 2019 at 9:20 pm

        Thank you so much Micki for the wonderful 5-star recipe review! I am so happy that you and your family enjoyed the sausage balls. They are a favorite in my house too. You are so welcome I love sharing what I make for my family. Thank you again for your kind words and encouragement!

        Reply
    10. Mrs. Duncan says

      December 27, 2018 at 4:40 pm

      I tried a gluten-free sausage ball recipe years ago and it was awful. Dry and flavorless. This one was excellent. Although I was wary of the brown sugar, it was quite pleasant and gave it wonderful flavor. The kids really loved these. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Audrey says

        December 27, 2018 at 6:59 pm

        Thank you Mrs. Duncan for the wonderful 5-star recipe review! I am so happy that you all enjoyed the sausage balls. It was one of the first recipes I modified to be gluten-free because my family loved them so much! I’m glad that you thought the brown sugar gave them a wonderful flavor too. I love maple sausage so that’s the flavor I was going for. Thank you again!

        Reply
    11. Trudy Colley says

      December 22, 2018 at 7:25 am

      I want to make this receipt ahead but not cook until I need them. What would be th instructions for cooking raw frozen balls?

      Reply
      • Audrey says

        December 22, 2018 at 9:05 am

        Hi Trudy! I have never tried to cook them frozen. I would start cooking them at the same temperature and length on the original recipe, but please watch them because all ovens are different. I hope you enjoy them!

        Reply
    12. WENDELL H MILLER says

      December 05, 2018 at 2:06 pm

      Hi Audrey,
      I have made “Sausage Balls” before I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease. I have also made them since (the diagnoses). I haven’t tried your recipe yet, but it is close to the recipe I use. It sounds great, and I will let you know what I think. I do have a question. You mentioned you have a recipe to make “Bisquick”. I couldn’t find it. Help? I have a bunch of flours, and was hoping I have the right combination to make the recipe.
      So glad I found you. Can’t wait to try some of your recipes.
      Wendell

      Reply
      • Audrey says

        December 05, 2018 at 4:18 pm

        Hi Wendell! I updated the recipe to include the recipe for Homemade Gluten-Free Bisquick from This Mama Loves. I have used her recipe and it’s great! I hope you enjoy the sausage balls and any other recipe you try!

        Reply
    13. Shari says

      September 21, 2018 at 3:11 pm

      Can you make these and freeze them? And if so do they still taste good and have good texture?

      Reply
      • Audrey says

        September 21, 2018 at 3:33 pm

        Hi Shari! Yes, you can freeze and reheat them. They still taste great. I hope you enjoy the sausage balls.

        Reply
    14. Katherine says

      December 23, 2017 at 5:42 pm

      Do you brown the sausage before you incorporate it with the dough?

      Reply
      • Audrey says

        December 24, 2017 at 10:15 am

        Hi Katherine! You do not cook the sausage before you add it to the dough. It cooks in the oven with the dough. Thank you for asking.

        Reply
    15. Teri says

      December 05, 2017 at 8:26 am

      These sound awesome. Great idea for super bowl. Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
      • Audrey says

        December 05, 2017 at 9:50 am

        Thanks Teri! You are so welcome. I love sharing what I make for my family.

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Audrey Roberts in a white kitchen for a profile photo

    I'm Audrey Roberts, a busy mama of four and I love sharing the recipes that I make for my family. I make gluten-free family-friendly recipes that are simple and delicious that you can too! I use easy to find ingredients that won't break your budget. You will also find dairy-free options and Paleo recipes. I am also the author of  The Everything Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free Cookbook, which is an Amazon Best Selling Cookbook in the US and Internationally. Living gluten-free since 2010. I hope by me sharing my journey it may help you with yours.  Read More…

     

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About
    • Cookbook
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclosure Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    Copyright © 2023 MAMA KNOWS GLUTEN FREE®. Registered trademark. All rights reserved.