Sausage Stuffing Bites are savory, festive party appetizers made from store-bought stuffing, sausage, and dried cranberries, baked into golden bites and served on toothpicks for the perfect holiday finger food.

Love these Sausage Stuffing Bites? You’ll love my Cheeseburger Meatballs and Cheddar Bay Sausage Balls too!

Why you’ll love this recipe:

If you’re looking for the ultimate holiday party bite — something that’s cozy, festive, and totally irresistible — Sausage Stuffing Bites are it! Picture this: savory sausage mixed with classic stuffing flavors, and a pop of sweetness from dried cranberries, all rolled into golden, bite-sized balls and served on toothpicks. It’s like Thanksgiving dinner, but portable — and way more fun!

Each bite is a perfect balance of savory and sweet. The sausage adds richness, while the store-bought stuffing mix brings that familiar, herby comfort we all crave during the holidays. The dried cranberries are the secret star — they cut through the saltiness with just the right touch of sweetness, giving every bite a festive pop of flavor!

The texture? Slightly crispy on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside. These little bites taste like the best parts of stuffing and sausage rolls combined — and they’ll disappear from your party tray in minutes!

Ingredients you’ll need:

Stovetop stuffing- prepared according to box instructions
Mild sausage
Shredded cheddar cheese
Dried cranberries- chopped
Eggs
Chicken broth
Salt and pepper

If the holidays had a flavor, it might just be Sausage Stuffing Bites. Imagine everything you love about a classic Thanksgiving or Christmas stuffing — savory sausage, aromatic herbs, and buttery stuffing — rolled into perfectly golden, juicy bites!

These bites are ridiculously easy to make. You only need four main ingredients — stuffing mix, sausage, cheese, and dried cranberries — plus a bit of egg and broth to bring everything together. No complicated steps, no fancy equipment, and no stress.

They’re also the perfect make-ahead appetizer. You can mix, roll, and bake them earlier in the day, then warm them up right before your guests arrive. Pop them on toothpicks, arrange them on a platter, and watch them vanish!

How to make the best Sausage Stuffing Bites:

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F, then line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat, and prepare your stuffing according to the box instructions.
Combine the uncooked sausage, prepared stuffing mix, shredded cheddar cheese, dried cranberries, eggs, chicken broth, and salt and pepper. Mix by hand or with an electric mixer until well-combined.
Using a cookie scoop or spoon, form the mixture into 1.5-inch balls, placing them on the prepared baking sheet as you go.
Bake for 22-25 minutes, or until browned and cooked through.
Once the sausage stuffing balls are done, remove them from the oven and cool slightly. Serve by themselves or with a cranberry sauce and/or gravy on the side for dipping!

Sausage Stuffing Bites are everything we love about the holidays in one poppable, party-ready package. They’re quick, comforting, and just the right mix of savory and sweet. Whether you’re hosting a big family dinner or bringing an appetizer to share, these little bites are guaranteed to steal the show — and make your house smell amazing in the process.

These Sausage Stuffing Bites are the perfect use for holiday leftovers, but they’re also a delicious enough side that they’re worth making just because. Not quite a meatball, not quite your traditional stuffing, they’re bready, cheesy, and I’ve yet to meet someone who isn’t as obsessed with them as I am!

They’re also versatile. Serve them with gravy or cranberry sauce for a holiday appetizer, toss them over mashed potatoes for a cozy dinner, or even slide them onto mini rolls for festive sliders. They’re a guaranteed hit, no matter how you serve them.

My top tips:

STUFFING: For Sausage Stuffing Bites, a savory herb stuffing is a great starting point because the seasonings complement sausage well. Just be sure you have the recommended amounts of water ( 1 ½ cups) and butter (¼ cup) necessary to prepare it according to the box instructions.
SAUSAGE VARIETY: You can use mild or hot sausage here, depending on your personal preference. The most important thing to remember is that you are NOT cooking the sausage ahead of time. The sausage is added to the mixture raw and then baked in the oven.
ROLLING THE SAUSAGE BITES: Scoop the sausage mixture into even-sized balls using a cookie scoop, then roll them into balls from there. This ensures that all of the balls are the same size to allow them to bake evenly.
EXCESS GREASE: If you find that there is a lot of excess grease on your pan once these are baked, I recommend transferring the sausage balls to paper towel lined plates to soak up the extra grease before serving. This will just depend on how fatty your sausage is.
DIPPING OPTIONS: I like enjoying these as is, but feel free to serve them alongside your favorite sauces for dipping. My favorite is a shortcut cranberry sauce made from mixing together 1 cup store-bought cranberry sauce with 1 tablespoon orange juice and a pinch of cinnamon. A honey mustard sauce, creamy ranch dressing, hot sauce, warm cheese dip or a smoky barbecue sauce can also be excellent dipping options.
MAKING IN ADVANCE: Sausage Stuffing Bites are also perfect to make ahead of time. You can make the stuffing mixture the day before, roll, and place the balls in an airtight container. Right before guests arrive, transfer them to a prepared sheet pan, and bake as directed.
REHEATING LEFTOVERS: Transfer any leftovers to a Ziploc bag or airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 5 days. When you’re ready to reheat, just pop them in the air fryer or oven as needed. You can also use the microwave; just know the exterior won’t be as crispy.

Looking for more easy appetizers? Check these out!

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