Gluten-Free Sausage Balls {Dairy-Free Option}
Published
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.
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.
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.
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.
More Gluten-Free Appetizer Recipes For You To Try!
Gluten-Free Sausage Balls
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 1/2 cups milk, dairy-free use almond, cashew or coconut milk
- 2 tablespoons sage
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1/2 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!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Can you make the raw balls in the evening and cook them in the oven the next morning?
Hi Kelli, yes that should be fine 🙂
These were delicious to us. We used the Krusteaz gluten free pancake mix because my town doesn’t have gluten free bisquick and I didn’t feel like making it. When at them plain we thought they were really unusual but, not bad… then, my husband came up with the idea of dipping them in maple syrup, GAME CHANGER. These are delicious with syrup and tastes just like a sausage pancake.
Turned out dry, seemed to need either more sausage or more cheese … or both 🤷♂️
My sister and I are in a debate. Do you cook the sausage first or mix it raw?
Hi Kassie, Mix it raw 🙂
Thank you, these are amazing! Big hit with the family!
I have been using this recipe for several years and it’s perfect
I’ve never found a recipe from Mama Knows Gluten that my celiac son doesn’t love and that the whole family enjoys as well!!
I made these today……..they are very good & would make them again.
These were a hit / everyone loved them / I am freezing the rest to use for breakfast biscuits / next time I will cut recipe in half / thank you so much for the make your own GF bisquick recipe so much more inexpensive . Merry Christmas
These are delicious! I couldn’t find my parmesan cheese so I just used cheddar cheese, and I cut the recipe in half. They are delicious! So excited I found your recipe. Can I freeze these?
Great recipe! I ended up using Maple Sausage (had on hand) with this recipe and loved the sweet/salty flavor it brought out in these! Delicious!
Thank you for such a delicious alternative for sausage balls that were so tantalizingly at all the social gatherings that I’ve attended and had to walk away from.
Our church has meal gatherings that I simply dread because unless there’s fruit or veggies being served I can only look and step away from food that causes me such pain. We had a Sunday School breakfast one week and I tried your recipe. There were several gluten free items that were made but I was the only one that brought gluten free AND dairy free thanks to this option.
Several of your recipes that you have posted are FANTASTIC! i appreciate the dairy free options and occasional egg free recipes that you share. I have several food intolerances and your recipes have shown me that there is still a way for me to enjoy foods that I once enjoyed.
KUDOS!
Hey, I’ve not tried this recipe yet? Can you add dairy free parmesan cheese?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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!
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?
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!
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.
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!
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!
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!
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!
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!
I want to make this receipt ahead but not cook until I need them. What would be th instructions for cooking raw frozen balls?
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!
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
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!
Can you make these and freeze them? And if so do they still taste good and have good texture?
Hi Shari! Yes, you can freeze and reheat them. They still taste great. I hope you enjoy the sausage balls.
Do you brown the sausage before you incorporate it with the dough?
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.
These sound awesome. Great idea for super bowl. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Teri! You are so welcome. I love sharing what I make for my family.