Sausage Balls with Cream Cheese

I was thinking hearty appetizer for an up coming pot luck, and then thinking about sausage balls. I tried two versions - one traditional, one with almond flour. Doug and I both preferred the almond flour version.

 

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground sausage
• 2 cups almond flour + 1 tablespoon baking powder
  (or 2 cups Bisquick, or 2 cups flour + 1 tablespoon baking powder)
• 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese shredded
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 tablespoon dried chives or 3 tablespoons fresh chives, diced
  
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon each dried basil and oregano 
• 2 tablespoons dried grated onion
  
  

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 °F.
2. In a stand mixer bowl, combine the ground sausage and cream cheese.
3. Mix spices into flour. then mix flour and shredded cheese into the sausage mix.
4. Use a small cookie scoop portion, form into small balls and place on rimmed baking sheets on parchment paper.
5. Let sit in refrigerator for 15 minutes so they will spread less when baking.
6. Bake in the preheated oven for 18 to 22 minutes, until golden brown and the sausage is cooked through entirely.
7. Serve hot or luke warm.
   
   

Carole's Notes:

We tried both versions, and found we like the almond flour once better - the ones with the regular flour seemed less savory. The almond flour ones seemed to ooze more cheese!

The recipe is adapted from multiple sources: https://www.thekitchenmagpie.com/sausage-balls-recipe-classic-bisquick-sausage-balls/  and https://www.thecountrycook.net/cream-cheese-sausage-balls/ and https://www.wholesomeyum.com/low-carb-keto-sausage-balls-recipe-with-cream-cheese/