‘Cheesy party bites’: Just 3 ingredients. The tray is always completely empty before the appetizers even hit the table.

These southern 3-ingredient sausage balls are the very definition of “cheesy party bites.” They’re a classic appetizer across much of the American South, where sausage, cheese, and baking mix are pantry staples. The beauty here is in the simplicity: you mix everything in one bowl, roll into bite-sized balls, and bake until golden and crisp on the outside, tender and cheesy inside. They’re the sort of thing you set on the counter while you’re still getting the rest of the appetizers ready, only to turn around and discover the tray is mysteriously empty. This is a practical, no-fuss recipe that works just as well for a game-day spread as it does for a holiday brunch.

Serve these sausage balls warm, piled onto a platter or directly from a baking sheet set on the kitchen counter—people inevitably hover nearby. They pair nicely with a simple dipping sauce like honey mustard, barbecue sauce, or a tangy ranch, though they’re flavorful enough to eat plain. For a fuller spread, add a crisp green salad, a tray of raw vegetables with dip, and perhaps some pickles or olives to cut through the richness. They also sit comfortably next to scrambled eggs and fruit for a casual brunch, or alongside a pot of chili for a hearty game-day meal.

Servings: 24–30 sausage balls

1 pound (450 g) uncooked bulk pork breakfast sausage (mild or hot)

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent sticking.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the uncooked pork sausage, shredded cheddar cheese, and biscuit baking mix.

Using clean hands, work the mixture together until it is very well combined and evenly moistened. At first it will seem dry and crumbly, but as you keep pressing and kneading, the sausage fat will hydrate the baking mix and the mixture will come together into a cohesive, slightly sticky dough.