Name: Thanksgiving Stuffing Balls
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 50 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 6 cups dried bread cubes; 1/2 cup unsalted butter; 1 medium onion finely chopped; 2 celery stalks finely chopped; 2 cloves garlic minced; 2 teaspoons poultry seasoning; 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; 2 large eggs; 1 1/2 cups chicken or vegetable broth; 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley optional

Looking for a cozy way to reinvent your holiday stuffing? Thanksgiving Stuffing Balls are the ultimate bite-sized comfort food, perfectly crispy on the outside and packed with savory flavor on the inside. These little morsels are a genius way to serve stuffing—especially if you’re dealing with leftover stuffing or just want something fun and easy to portion out.

Made with traditional stuffing ingredients like seasoned bread cubes, celery, onion, herbs, and broth, these balls are compact, crispy, and utterly delicious. They’re easy to prep ahead and can be baked or air-fried to golden perfection. Whether you serve them as an appetizer, side dish, or holiday potluck offering, they’ll disappear fast!

What Kind of Bread Should I Use?

Go with a hearty, day-old bread like sourdough, French, or Italian bread. You want the cubes dry and slightly firm so they hold up to the moisture from broth and eggs without turning mushy. Pre-packaged stuffing cubes work too, especially if you’re short on time.

Ingredients for the Thanksgiving Stuffing Balls

6 cups dried bread cubes (sourdough or French bread works best)
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 celery stalks, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons poultry seasoning
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 large eggs
1 1/2 cups chicken or vegetable broth (plus more if needed)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)

How To Make the Thanksgiving Stuffing Balls

Step 1: Sauté the Veggies

In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion, celery, and garlic. Cook until softened and fragrant, about 5-6 minutes. Stir in poultry seasoning, thyme, salt, and pepper.

Step 2: Mix the Stuffing Base

In a large mixing bowl, combine the bread cubes and cooked vegetable mixture. Toss until the bread is well coated. In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs and broth together, then pour over the bread mixture. Stir gently to combine until the cubes are moist but not soggy. Let sit for 5-10 minutes so the bread absorbs the liquid.

Step 3: Shape and Chill

Once the mixture has cooled slightly, form it into golf ball-sized rounds. If the mixture is too dry, add a little more broth; if too wet, add extra bread crumbs. Place the balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Chill in the fridge for 20-30 minutes to firm up.

Step 4: Bake Until Golden

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the stuffing balls for 25-30 minutes, or until crisp and golden on the outside. For extra crispiness, spray them lightly with cooking spray before baking.

Serving and Storing These Savory Bites

These stuffing balls are incredibly versatile. Serve them with turkey and gravy, as a stand-alone appetizer with cranberry sauce for dipping, or alongside a big holiday spread. They reheat well and even freeze beautifully—just pop them into an airtight container and reheat in the oven to keep that crisp exterior.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I keep them from falling apart?

Make sure the bread cubes are well-moistened and press each ball firmly when shaping. Chilling them before baking also helps them hold together.

Can I make these vegetarian?

Absolutely! Just use vegetable broth instead of chicken, and ensure your bread is free from dairy if needed.

Can I freeze them?

Yes, bake them first, then let them cool completely. Freeze in a single layer before transferring to a bag or container. Reheat in the oven.

Can I air fry them instead of baking?

You sure can! Air fry at 375°F for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through.

What if my mixture is too wet?

Add some extra bread crumbs or crushed crackers to absorb excess moisture.

Want More Holiday Side Dish Ideas?

If these Thanksgiving Stuffing Balls hit the spot, don’t miss these other flavor-packed favorites:

Funeral Potatoes for a cheesy, creamy crowd-pleaser.
Corn Pudding that’s slightly sweet, incredibly buttery.
Oven Roasted Root Vegetables with caramelized edges and earthy flavor.
Cheesy Cabbage Casserole for a cozy, creamy comfort dish.
Cottage Cheese Egg Bake for a protein-packed brunch option.

📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest holiday board so you have it ready for Friendsgiving or Thanksgiving!

And if you give these a try, I’d love to hear how they turned out. Did you add sausage or make them gluten-free? Maybe tossed in dried cranberries or nuts?

Leave a comment below and let’s swap ideas!

Looking for more bite-sized seasonal recipes? Follow along on Pinterest @ Nina Dishes for daily inspiration.

Thanksgiving Stuffing Balls

Author: Nina Klatten
Total Time: 50 minutes
Yield: 20 stuffing balls
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Thanksgiving Stuffing Balls are crispy on the outside, savory and tender inside, and packed with holiday flavors in a bite-sized form. A fun, mess-free way to serve stuffing as a side or appetizer—and a great use for leftovers!

Instructions

1. In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add onion, celery, and garlic. Cook until softened, about 5-6 minutes. Stir in poultry seasoning, thyme, salt, and pepper.

2. In a large bowl, mix the bread cubes with the cooked vegetables. In a separate bowl, whisk eggs and broth, then pour into the bread mix. Stir until moist but not soggy. Let sit 5-10 minutes.

3. Once cooled, shape into golf ball-sized rounds. Adjust with more broth or breadcrumbs if needed. Chill 20-30 minutes on a lined baking sheet.

4. Preheat oven to 375°F. Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown. Spray lightly with cooking spray for extra crispiness.