Pin it
Whip up these Turkey Stuffing Balls for a snack that captures Thanksgiving in mini bites. Just toss together leftover turkey, your mash, and stuffing. They're awesome dunked in gravy. Got random leftovers? Or just in the mood for a cozy treat? This is the move.
Perks of Making These
If you're crazy about Thanksgiving flavors, these little guys pack it all. They're crowd-pleasers at get-togethers. No more boring leftovers—these are a total upgrade. Quick to throw together and super tasty.
Stuff You'll Need
- Pan: Big baking tray will do
- Paper: Some parchment or whatever lines trays
- Breadcrumbs: Just plain, only if you see it’s sticky
- Salt and Pepper: Sprinkle in only if you want more flavor
- Mashed Potatoes: 1 cup, any kind you have
- Stuffing: 2 cups, already made is perfect
- Turkey: 2 cups, cooked, just pull or chop it up small
Simple Turkey Delight
- Get your oven ready
- Fire up oven to 375°. Slap parchment on your tray.
- Start with the mix
- Pop your potatoes and stuffing in microwave for a minute. Warmer stuff blends way easier.
- Throw it all together
- Dump turkey, stuffing, and potatoes into a big bowl. Toss on a bit of salt and pepper. Dive in with your hands and squish everything up good.
- Shape your bites
- Roll up the mix so each ball looks like a golf ball. Too sticky? Sprinkle in some breadcrumbs.
- Bake
- Line 'em up on your baking tray. Bake for 15-20 minutes, flipping 'em once to get them toasty all over.
- Make sure they're hot
- Balls should be super hot and look a little golden.
- Plate and dip
- Serve them up warm with a bowl of gravy for dunking. Cranberry sauce rocks too if you want.
Pin it
What Makes Them Awesome
Every single one tastes like a forkful of Thanksgiving. So easy to pick up with your hands. Little ones love dunking them. Makes leftovers way more exciting. Always a hit at parties.
Why They're Different
You get all the Thanksgiving vibes in every single piece. The turkey’s juicy thanks to potatoes. Stuffing packs a punch with flavor. Outside? Crunchy. Inside? Fluffy. Honestly better than eating leftovers on their own.
Get Them Just Right
Try the mix before tossing in salt—old leftovers can be salty already. If you want them really crisp, air fry them if that's an option. Balls seem mushy? More breadcrumbs. Seem dry? Another scoop of potato. Keep your hands damp so nothing sticks while you roll.
Keep 'Em Fresh
They’ll hold up in the fridge for about three days in a closed box. Want to store longer? Freeze them tightly wrapped for a couple months. Heat up in your microwave or oven—just get them piping hot. Might as well make extra; they disappear fast.
Switch It Up
Play with different bread stuffings, or throw some dried cranberries in for a sweet pop. A bit of cheese in the center is fun too. Roll smaller for appetizers or jumbo-sized as a meal. For a crunch boost, coat with leftover stuffing crumbs before baking.
Ways to Serve
Break out different sauces—gravy, cranberry, or ranch are all winners. Pop them into tiny sandwiches. Layer on mashed potatoes for comfort food heaven. Easy to pack in lunches. Awesome for snack time during the big game.
Pin it
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I make these early?
They’re easy to prep ahead! Shape them, stick ‘em in the fridge overnight, then heat later. Double up and eat half now, stash the rest. Party soon? Get them ready in the morning and just warm before friends show up. They stay warm on a heated plate. If you wait too long, they might dry out, so pour on extra gravy if needed.
- → What's good for dipping?
Dip ideas? You’ve got options! Gravy is classic, but cranberry sauce is sweet and tangy. Love cheese? Warm cheese sauce is awesome. Try ranch or honey mustard if you want a change. Mix herbs into mayo for something cool. Spicy BBQ is nice too. Serve a bunch and let people help themselves. Warm dips usually stick better than cold!
- → Help - they're falling apart!
They crumble? No problem! Smash in dry stuffing or some crumbs. A cracked egg does the trick, too. Chop everything tiny, or big chunks make a mess. Roll them tight with your hands. Too moist? Add crumbs. Too crumbly? Splash in a little broth. Let ‘em chill in the fridge for half an hour before baking—makes everything stick together.
- → Are these gluten-free?
Regular stuffing has bread, so nope! But swap in gluten-free stuffing if you need. Same for breadcrumbs—make sure they're gluten-free. Gravy can sneak in flour, so check that, too. Mix in mashed potato for a firmer ball if you want. Turkey is already gluten-free. Yours might fall apart a little more but they’re still tasty!
- → Do they freeze okay?
You bet! Shape them and freeze on a tray. Once they’re solid, toss into a freezer bag. They last three months. Don’t thaw—bake from frozen, just cook a few minutes longer. Lots of folks stock their freezer after the holidays. Write baking times on the bag. Easy snack or quick food when friends come over!
Conclusion
Like making new things with leftovers? Try a turkey pie by stacking it all up and adding mashed potatoes on top. Or go with a cheesy turkey bake. Both are easy and use up all your extra holiday food in clever ways!