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Fall is here and it’s time for fall flavors! These sweet and spicy Jalapeno Cranberry Sausage Balls are the perfect appetizer for any fall dinner parties or causal get togethers.
I was in denial for weeks that fall was approaching. I was stuck on summer and couldn’t shake the desire for more fun summer adventures and lazy days.
But then, despite the continued 96-degree days, it hit me, and I was on full on fall mode! Not only have I pulled out my fall decorations, I have changed my weekly dinner menu to incorporate more fall flavors and comfort foods, and have been obsessing over football.
I am looking forward to fall for so many things but mainly for the quickly approaching holidays and the opportunities to spend more time with family and friends… oh, and yes, hopefully some relief from this Texas heat.
While this time of year brings typical holidays, fall for us is even more busy with several birthdays and this year, several other special occasions. If you know me, then you know I LOVE planning and hosting dinner parties and themed holiday parties. In fact, over the years I have started many, now annual, traditions with tailgates, pumpkin carving parties, Halloween parties, Friendsgiving and an annual White Elephant Party.
My Aunt is also a party planner at heart and together (and on her own) we have thrown some pretty awesome shindigs (if I do say so myself)! When we work together, it is usually my aunt planning all the décor, while I’m planning the food, and then the both of us coming together to pull it all off (all while managing to keep our husbands during the process 😉 ); and throwing a fun party that everyone talks about for years!
Yes, my Aunt and I make a great team and at one point even talked about starting our own event planning company… maybe one day.
Even though I tend to do most of the menu planning for our parties, my Aunt has great taste and is a pretty good cook too. One appetizer she always makes for any party, especially the holidays, is classic southern sausage balls. Everyone loves these sausage balls and they are always gobbled up at our parties.
Recently, when hosting some parties and tailgates on my own, I have been channeling my Aunt’s party planning and decorating wisdom, and have had her on my mind as I pull out my glue gun and fuss over center pieces. Since I have been thinking of her a lot lately, I wanted to add some sausage balls to the menu of a recent party I was hosting, but wanted to dress them up a bit. The wheels in my head started turning, and that’s how these Jalapeno Cranberry Sausage Balls were born!
These sweet and spicy Jalapeno Cranberry Sausage Balls are a delightful fall inspired twist on traditional sausage ball! They aren’t as “bready” as most sausage ball recipes and have unique mix-ins like, white cheddar cheese, spicy jalapenos, cornbread mix in place of traditional baking mix, and tart Ocean Spray® Craisins® Dried Cranberries.
I love using Craisins® Dried Cranberries to add a pop of flavor, not to mention texture to so many dishes. From my morning oatmeal, to homemade granola, to topping salads; Craisins® Dried Cranberries are definitely a pantry staple in our house! Not only do we enjoy Craisins® Dried Cranberries daily for general snacking (1/4 cup of Craisins® Dried Cranberries provides 1/2 cup of fruit) and healthy additions to our favorite meals, with fall here, I will be adding them into more dishes, like my Apple Cranberry Stuffing and of course theses Jalapeno Cranberry Sausage Balls.
Because of this, I like to buy the large 24-ounce packages of Ocean Spray® Craisins® Dried Cranberries; which I used to be able to get at my local Sam’s Club, however, recently I discovered they disappeared from their shelves. Luckily my local H.E.B. grocery store still carries these large bags, so I can stock up while I do my weekly grocery shopping!
If you need a quick and tasty appetizer to bring to a tailgate or dinner party, try these Jalapeno Cranberry Sausage Balls! They will definitely be a hit and may even become legendary like my sweet Aunt!
- 1 pound lean pork or turkey sausage
- 1 (8.5-ounce) package cornbread mix
- 1 cup grated white cheddar cheese
- 1 small onion, grated
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 2 large jalapenos, stemmed, seeded and finely chopped
- ⅔ cup Craisins® Dried Cranberries
- ¼ teaspoon each kosher salt and black pepper
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, mix together all ingredients, mixing until well combined.
- Using a 1-inch cookie scoop, portion sausage ball mixture into approximately 36 (1-inch) balls; rolling balls between the palms of both hands as needed to form a uniform shape.
- Bake sausage balls in preheated 350 degrees F oven for 25-28 minutes or until cooked through.
- Serve warm, room temperature or chilled with toothpicks and garnished with green onions or parsley, if desired.
What is your favorite appetizer for fall dinner parties and holidays? Please share in the comments below! And for more fall inspired recipes incorporating Craisins® Dried Cranberries, as well as a store locator (to find the large 24-ounce bags), click here.
