Make these simple stuffing balls for a delicious, portioned side dish that bakes up perfectly crispy on the outside and moist inside. They are great for holidays or any meal.
Author:purejoyalex
Prep Time:15 min
Cook Time:25 min
Total Time:40 min
Yield:About 18 balls 1x
Category:Side Dish
Method:Baking
Cuisine:American
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
6 cups dried bread cubes (about 1 standard loaf)
1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
1/2 cup melted unsalted butter
1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
2 celery stalks, finely chopped
2 teaspoons dried sage
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 large egg, lightly beaten
Optional: 1/2 cup cooked sausage or dried cranberries
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly grease a baking sheet.
In a large bowl, combine the dried bread cubes, sage, thyme, salt, and pepper.
In a skillet over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter. Add the chopped onion and celery. Cook until softened, about 5 to 7 minutes.
Add the cooked vegetables to the bread mixture. If using sausage or cranberries, add them now.
In a separate small bowl, whisk together the broth, the remaining melted butter, and the beaten egg.
Pour the liquid mixture over the bread mixture. Toss everything gently until the bread is evenly moistened. Do not overmix.
Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes to absorb the liquid.
Scoop the mixture and roll it firmly into 1.5-inch balls. Place the stuffing balls on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between them.
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the stuffing balls are golden brown and crispy on the outside.
Serve warm, perhaps with gravy.
Notes
For extra crispy stuffing balls, you can lightly spray the tops with cooking spray before baking.
If your bread cubes are very dry, you may need to add an extra splash of broth.
You can prepare this mixture a day ahead, cover it, and refrigerate. Add 5 minutes to the baking time if baking directly from the refrigerator.