Best Ever Holiday Stuffing Balls
These Best Ever Holiday Stuffing Balls are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and bursting with buttery herbs and festive flavor. Perfect for Thanksgiving or Christmas, these make-ahead stuffing balls are the ultimate crowd-pleasing holiday side dish.
Ingredients
- 8 cups day-old bread cubes
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup finely chopped onion
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 1 ½ cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 2 large eggs lightly beaten
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
- 1 tsp dried sage
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Optional Add-Ins:
- ½ cup cooked crumbled sausage
- ¼ cup dried cranberries
- ¼ cup chopped toasted pecans or walnuts
- ¼ cup shredded cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Sauté aromatics: In a skillet, melt butter. Add onion and celery; cook 5–7 minutes until soft. Stir in herbs and seasonings.
- Combine mixture: In a large bowl, add bread cubes. Pour the butter mixture over top and toss. Gradually add broth until moistened but not soggy. Mix in beaten eggs.
- Form balls: Scoop and roll into 2-inch balls. Place on prepared sheet.
- Bake: Bake 25–30 minutes or until golden brown and crisp.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm with gravy or cranberry sauce.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, brush with melted butter before baking.
- Use a mix of white and whole-grain bread for deeper flavor.
- To freeze: flash-freeze unbaked balls, then store in a freezer bag. Bake from frozen, adding 5–10 minutes.
- To reheat: bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10–15 minutes. Avoid microwaving.