Name: Unbelievable Deep fried stuffing balls With BBQ
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 4 min
Total time: 14 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 cups leftover stuffing; 1 cup parmesan cheese, grated; 1 egg, whisked; ½ cup all-purpose flour; 2 eggs, whisked; 1 cup panko bread crumbs; ½ teaspoon paprika; ½ teaspoon granulated garlic; ½ teaspoon salt; Oil for frying; ½ cup BBQ Sauce; ½ cup cranberry sauce

Deep fried stuffing balls with cranberry BBQ sauce

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Okay, so you’ve got all this Thanksgiving leftover situation happening, right? Turkey sandwiches are great and all, but let’s be honest, by day three, even *those* start to lose their charm. That’s where my crazy-good idea comes in. I’m talking about taking that humble stuffing and turning it into something totally unexpected: **Deep fried stuffing balls with cranberry BBQ sauce**! Seriously, it’s like a Thanksgiving party in every single bite, but, you know, deep-fried. And I’ve been making these for years – tweaking the recipe, perfecting the sauce (it’s all about the right cranberry-to-BBQ ratio, trust me!), and they’re always a HUGE hit.

My family? They now *expect* these after Thanksgiving. And honestly, I think they look forward to them more than the actual turkey! I even brought a batch to a friend’s game day party last year (oops, maybe I shouldn’t admit I brought Thanksgiving leftovers to a *game day* party), and they were gone in, like, five minutes. So, yeah, I think I know what I’m talking about. It’s a super creative way to use up those Thanksgiving leftovers, and it’s just… fun! Plus, that cranberry BBQ sauce? Forget about it! It’s the perfect sweet and tangy counterpoint to the savory, crispy stuffing.

Why You’ll Love These Deep Fried Stuffing Balls with Cranberry BBQ Sauce

Quick and Easy Deep Fried Stuffing Balls with Cranberry BBQ Sauce

Seriously, these are *fast*. I mean, most of the work is already done ’cause, hello, it’s leftovers! You’re looking at maybe 10 minutes of prep, then a super-quick fry. Done!

A Delicious Way to Use Thanksgiving Leftovers

Let’s be real, nobody wants to eat the same thing for a week straight. This is where these little guys shine. It’s like a whole new Thanksgiving experience, disguised as a fun appetizer!

Perfect Appetizer for Any Occasion

Okay, so they’re great for using up leftovers, but don’t limit yourself! Game day? Heck yeah! Casual get-together? Absolutely! Basically, if you want a crowd-pleasing, totally addictive snack, this is it.

Ingredients for Deep Fried Stuffing Balls with Cranberry BBQ Sauce

Alright, let’s gather our goodies! You’ll need about 3 cups of *leftover* stuffing (the drier, the better, honestly!). Grab 1 cup of *grated* parmesan cheese – the real stuff, not the powdery kind, okay? Then, 1 large egg, *whisked* up nice and fluffy. For breading, get ready with ½ cup of all-purpose flour, 2 large eggs (also *whisked*!), and 1 cup of panko bread crumbs. Spices? Easy: ½ teaspoon each of paprika, granulated garlic, and salt. For frying, you’ll want a neutral oil like vegetable or canola. And finally, the star of the show: ½ cup of your favorite BBQ sauce (I’m partial to Sweet Baby Ray’s, but you do you!), and ½ cup of cranberry sauce – jellied or whole berry, either works!

How to Make Deep Fried Stuffing Balls with Cranberry BBQ Sauce: Step-by-Step Instructions

Preparing the Stuffing Mixture

Okay, first things first, grab a medium bowl and toss in your stuffing, parmesan cheese, and that whisked egg. Mix it all up real good! Now, if your stuffing’s looking a little dry (sometimes it happens!), just add a splash of milk – like, a tablespoon at a time – until it comes together nicely. You want it moist enough to form a ball, but not soggy, ya know?

Forming the Deep Fried Stuffing Balls

Alright, time to get your hands a little dirty! Scoop out about 2 tablespoons of the stuffing mixture (I use a cookie scoop, makes it easier!) and roll it into a nice, round ball. Place it on a baking sheet. Keep going until you’ve used up all the stuffing. Don’t worry if they’re not perfect; we’re gonna fry ’em anyway!

Setting up the Breading Station

This is where things get a little assembly-line-ish, but trust me, it’s worth it! Grab three separate bowls. In the first, put your flour. In the second, the whisked eggs. And in the third, mix together the panko bread crumbs, paprika, granulated garlic, and salt. Boom! Breading station, ready to roll.

Breading the Deep Fried Stuffing Balls

Time to bread those babies! Take one of your stuffing balls and gently roll it in the flour, making sure it’s fully coated. Then, dip it in the egg, letting any excess drip off. Finally, roll it in the panko mixture, pressing lightly to make sure the bread crumbs stick. Pop it back on the baking sheet, and repeat with the rest of the stuffing balls.

Frying the Deep Fried Stuffing Balls

Carefully pour about 2 inches of oil into a pot or skillet and heat it over medium-high heat. Now, this is important: you want the oil hot, but not *too* hot, or they’ll burn on the outside before the inside is warm! Once the oil is ready (a little piece of bread should sizzle and turn golden brown in about 30 seconds), gently place 6 stuffing balls into the oil. Don’t overcrowd the pan! Cook for 1-2 minutes, then roll the ball over and cook another 1-2 minutes until they’re golden brown all over. Remove them with a slotted spoon and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain.

Making the Cranberry BBQ Sauce

This is the easiest part! In a small bowl, just mix together the BBQ sauce and cranberry sauce until they’re well combined. Taste it and adjust the amount of cranberry sauce to your liking – more for a sweeter sauce, less for a tangier one. Serve it up with those delicious, crispy, deep-fried stuffing balls, and watch ’em disappear!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Deep Fried Stuffing Balls with Cranberry BBQ Sauce

Stuffing Variations

Honestly, just about any stuffing works here! Bread stuffing? Awesome! Sausage stuffing? Even better! Wild rice stuffing? You betcha! Just make sure it’s not *too* wet before you start rolling.

Parmesan Cheese Alternatives

Parmesan adds a nice salty, nutty flavor, but if you don’t have it on hand, Asiago or Pecorino Romano would also be totally delicious. Just use whatever hard cheese you’ve got kicking around!

Cranberry Sauce Options

Okay, so the cranberry sauce adds a sweet and tangy kick to the BBQ sauce. Jellied cranberry sauce will give you a smoother sauce, while whole berry will have little bursts of cranberry goodness. I like both! Just depends on my mood, really!

Tips for Perfect Deep Fried Stuffing Balls with Cranberry BBQ Sauce

Oil Temperature is Key

Seriously, this is *so* important. If the oil isn’t hot enough, your stuffing balls will just soak up oil and be all soggy. Yuck! Drop a small piece of bread in – it should sizzle and turn golden in about 30 seconds.

Don’t Overcrowd the Pan

Trust me on this one! If you cram too many stuffing balls in at once, the oil temperature drops, and they won’t fry properly. Fry in batches, okay?

Maintaining Oil Temperature

Keep an eye on that oil! If it starts to cool down, wait a minute or two between batches for it to heat back up. Easy peasy!

FAQ: Deep Fried Stuffing Balls with Cranberry BBQ Sauce

Can I use store-bought stuffing?

Totally! If you don’t have leftover stuffing, no worries. Just grab a box of your favorite stuffing mix, prepare it according to the package directions, and let it cool completely before using it for this recipe.

Can I bake these instead of deep frying?

Yep! If you’re trying to be a little healthier (or just don’t feel like dealing with the oil), you can bake these. Just preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C), place the breaded stuffing balls on a baking sheet, and bake for about 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown, flipping halfway through.

Can I make these ahead of time?

You sure can! You can prepare the stuffing balls, bread them, and then store them in the fridge for up to 24 hours before frying or baking. Just bring them to room temperature for about 30 minutes before cooking. I wouldn’t recommend frying them ahead of time, though, as they’re best served fresh and crispy!

Estimated Nutritional Information for Deep Fried Stuffing Balls with Cranberry BBQ Sauce

Okay, so here’s the deal: I’m no nutritionist, but each stuffing ball clocks in around 150 calories. Of course, that’s just an estimate, so don’t quote me!

Enjoy Your Delicious Deep Fried Stuffing Balls with Cranberry BBQ Sauce

So there you have it! My crazy-good, totally addictive deep fried stuffing balls. Now, go make ’em, share ’em, and then come back and tell me what you think! Oh, and don’t forget to rate the recipe!