There is nothing that screams fall or holiday entertainment more than a grazing board. This Mexican inspired grazing board is overflowing with some of my family’s all time favorite finger food treats: mini tacos, vegetarian taquitos, and my personal favorite, gluten free Cheesy Chorizo Sausage Balls!
{{ The recipe & post for my Cheesy Chorizo Sausage Balls was made in partnership with Tillamook. We received product & compensation in exchange for it. Opinions are always our own. Thanks for your continued support! }}
Traditional sausage balls were always at my family's holiday celebrations and tailgate parties growing up. Now that I'm the one cranking out the celebratory eats for our clan, I've swapped things up a bit by using chorizo sausage.
Let's talk about the 4 ingredients you need to make these Cheesy Chorizo Sausage Balls.
The sausage|| Ditch the sausage base of mild flavored, traditional ground pork and instead pump up the flavor by using Mexican chorizo! Unlike most varieties of Iberian chorizo, which is cured and dried in a way similar to salami or pepperoni, Mexican chorizo is actually a raw sausage that must be cooked before eating. This makes it the perfect base for sausage balls. Chorizo gets its red color and bold flavor from the dried chili pepper and paprika that is mixed into the meat.
The baking mix|| Traditional sausage balls call for a baking mix like Bisquick. However, when you are gluten free, the choices on the market don't always perform as well as their gluten filled counterparts. I've developed a homemade baking mix that is shelf stable and works like a charm, keeping food at the perfect flavor and consistency.
How to make homemade gluten free baking mix:
Ingredients: 2 cups finely ground sweet white rice flour, 1 cup tapioca starch, 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, 1 ½ tablespoons baking powder, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon xanthan gum, ½ cup solid vegetable shortening
Method: In the bowl of a food processor fitted with the "S" blade combine the sweet rice flour, tapioca starch, sugar, baking powder, salt, and xanthan gum. Process until completely combined, about 2 minutes. Add the vegetable shortening to the processor and pulse until no pieces of shortening are visible. About 8-10 pulses. The mix should have the same consistency as finely grated Parmesan cheese. Store in an airtight container for up to 8 weeks.
The cheeses || There are 2 types of cheese at work in this recipe. First, there is Tillamook Farmstyle Thick Cut Mexican 4 Blend Shredded Cheese. It stands in for the sharp cheddar cheese that is used in more traditional recipes. Tillamook's blend of naturally aged cheddar, Monterey Jack, Queso Quesadilla, and Asadero cheeses give the sausage balls a depth of flavor that will blow your mind! I also use softened cream cheese in this recipe to keep the sausage balls moist. It also helps the meat, shredded cheese, and baking mix to come together.
This Cheesy Chorizo Sausage Balls recipe checks all the boxes for me when it comes to holiday entertaining. I hope it does for you too! Fast, easy, make ahead-able, and a total crowd pleaser!
If you’ve tried this Cheesy Chorizo Sausage Balls Recipe, I would be so grateful if you would rate it. Let me know what you think in the comments below. I just love hearing from you and your reviews and comments really help others that visit This Mess is Ours!
PrintCheesy Chorizo Sausage Balls
Our Cheesy Chorizo Sausage Balls are great for holiday entertaining, on the go snacks, and even the lunchbox!
Don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know what you think about these Cheesy Chorizo Sausage Balls in the comments below. I just love hearing from you and your reviews/comments really help other people that visit This Mess is Ours!
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 25
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 60 sausage balls 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pound chorizo sausage, casing removed, crumbled
- 2 cups baking mix or gluten free baking mix, see notes
- 1 (1-pound) bag Tillamook Mexican 4 Cheese Farmstyle Thick Cut Shreds
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened, broken into small pieces
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and line 2 baking sheets with parchment.
- In a large bowl, combine the chorizo, baking mix, Tillamook Mexican 4 Cheese Farmstyle Thick Cut Shreds, and softened cream cheese. Use your hands to work the ingredients together in the bowl. This can take a few minutes and may seem like you need more of a liquid, but just be patient and it will all come together.
- Use a mini ice cream scoop or a tablespoon to form the mixture into walnut sized balls and place on the prepared baking sheets about an inch apart.
- Bake in preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, turning halfway through, until golden brown and sausage is cooked through.
Make ahead tip for the holidays: Pre-cooked sausage balls may be frozen and then reheated at 350° F for approximately 10 minutes.
Notes
Gluten Free Bisquick
Makes approximately 3 ½ cups mix
2 cups finely ground sweet white rice flour, 1 cup tapioca starch, 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, 1 ½ tablespoons baking powder, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon xanthan gum, ½ cup solid vegetable shortening
In the bowl of a food processor fitted with the "S" blade combine all of the dry ingredients. Process until completely combined, about 2 minutes. Add the vegetable shortening to the processor and pulse until no pieces of shortening are visible. About 8-10 pulses. The mix should have the same consistency as finely grated Parmesan cheese. Store in an airtight container for up to 8 weeks.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 sausage balls
- Calories: 253
- Sugar: 2.8 g
- Sodium: 626.6 mg
- Fat: 17.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 12.5 g
- Protein: 11.4 g
- Cholesterol: 41.4 mg
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What are the health benefits of chorizo?
Like most meat, chorizo is rather high in fat but also has a very high concentration of protein necessary for a healthy body. Chorizo also has an abundance of Vitamin B-12 which improves the process of your nervous system. B-12 is often lacking in people with celiac disease, making chorizo a nice gluten free option.
Click here for more information on the health benefits of chorizo.
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