Welcome to my country kitchen! I’m so excited to share one of my all-time favorite appetizer recipes with you – donkey balls! Now, I know what you’re thinking – donkey balls? But trust me, these little bites pack a ton of flavor.
Donkey balls may sound a bit odd, but they’re basically just sausage balls with a fun, quirky name. They’re easy to make with just a few simple ingredients, perfect for any party or get-together. The combination of spicy sausage, melty cream cheese, and flaky crescent dough creates a mouthwatering explosion of textures and flavors.
Keep reading for my easy donkey balls recipe, step-by-step instructions, tips for making ahead, serving suggestions, and more. I promise these will become your new go-to appetizer!
What Are Donkey Balls?
Donkey balls are an appetizer made with sausage, cream cheese, and crescent dough. The name comes from their round, ball shape and the use of spicy sausage.
They’re easy to pick up and pop right in your mouth – the perfect finger food! The interior is full of savory, meaty flavor from the sausage, while the outside is lightly browned and flaky from the crescent dough. The cream cheese adds a nice richness and tang.
Donkey balls have a wonderful blend of textures – soft and creamy inside with a bit of crunch outside. And the combination of ingredients means you get a whole range of flavors in one bite – spicy, savory, creamy, and buttery.
What Do Donkey Balls Taste Like?
So what can you expect from the flavor of donkey balls? Well, each bite is a magical medley of tastes and textures!
The spicy sausage and seasonings give you a big punch of savory, meaty flavor. The cream cheese offers a cool, tangy creaminess in contrast. And the crescent dough provides a toasted, buttery flavor and delicate crunch.
Every bite is a party for your taste buds! The blend of heat from the sausage, richness from the cheese, and flaky pastry creates an incredibly addictive snacking experience.
They’re deliciously savory and satisfying, with a nice little kick from the spicy sausage. The cream cheese cools down the heat and provides a luscious texture. And the crescent dough ties it all together, baking up crispy and golden brown.
How To Make This Delicious Donkey Balls
Ready to make these spectacular donkey balls? Here’s a step-by-step overview:
Ingredients:
- 1 lb breakfast sausage
- 2 packages crescent rolls
- 1 package Philly cream cheese
- Red bell pepper
- 1 Jalapeno, diced (optional)
- 1 Purple Onion
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Ground sage
Equipment Needed:
- Large skillet
- Baking sheet
Step by Step Instructions
Step 01: Browning the Sausage
First, place a skillet on your electric stove and heat up. Then add your favorite breakfast sausage (our favorite is Jimmy Dean) in the skillet. Cook the sausage until it’s browned up and halfway done.
Step 02: Adding Flavor
After that, add a little bit of diced red pepper, green onion, a jalapeno, and purple onion or any onions you have. You can add based on your taste.If you like spicy then add more pepper. I personally prefer less spicy.
Then, cook the sausage again for 2 minutes.
Step 03: Seasoning
Add 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, a little bit of onion powder and some ground sage. Fry sausage for another 2-3 Minutes and turn off the heat.
Don’t add too much. Taste the sausage and if needed add those seasonings again. Drain off excess grease.
Step 04: Adding Cream Cheese
Add one block of Philly cream cheese and mix it all in with the sausage mixture that we prepared and put them in the oven.They’ll take about 12-15 minutes to prepare.
Step 05: Preparing the Crescent Rolls
Now, it’s time to prepare those crescent rolls. Pop open those cans and pinch together two triangles to form a rectangle. You don’t want any of that yummy filling leaking out.
So,to one pound of package sausage I use two cans of crescent
Step 06: Stuffing and Rolling
Spoon a generous amount of your sausage mixture onto each crescent roll rectangle, then roll ’em up tight. Seal those edges to keep all that goodness locked in.
Step 07: Baking Beauties
Place your stuffed crescent rolls onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and pop ’em in the oven. Bake them until they’re golden brown and cooked through, usually around 12-15 minutes.
Recipe Variations
The possibilities are endless when it comes to flavoring your donkey balls! You can mixing up the filling with one of these tasty variations:
- For breakfast, use a pancake style batter to make donkey balls and eggs!
- For game day, try coating them in crushed barbecue potato chips or flaming hot cheetos before frying.
- For a luau, skewer bite sized pieces with pineapple and red pepper chunks for a tropical donkey ball kabob appetizer.
- For date night, experiment with gourmet stuffings like cranberry and brie or artichoke spinach dip before breading and frying.
What To Serve With Donkey Balls
Donkey balls make for a hearty appetizer and are delicious on their own. But here are some tasty items to serve alongside:
- Ranch dressing or mayo for dipping
- Chili sauce for extra kicks
- Crispy bacon crumbles as a topping
- Chopped fresh parsley, chives, or scallions to garnish
- Celery sticks and baby carrots for crunch
- Cheese slices to make little sausage sandwiches
Donkey balls also pair nicely with beverages like beer, wine, or sparkling cider. The flavors stand up well to a variety of drinks.
How to Store and Reheat Donkey Balls
Donkey balls are best fresh and warm right out of the oven. However, you can prep them in advance:
To Store Baked:
- Allow donkey balls to cool completely, then place in an airtight container.
- Refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
To Reheat:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Place donkey balls on a baking sheet.
- Bake frozen donkey balls for 18-20 minutes, until heated through.
- Bake refrigerated donkey balls for 10-12 minutes, until warmed through.
FAQs
What are donkey balls made of?
Donkey balls are made with Italian sausage, cream cheese, crescent roll dough, and shredded cheese. The combination creates a tasty appetizer!
Are donkey balls healthy?
Donkey balls are a high fat and high calorie appetizer. The ingredients like cream cheese, crescent dough, and sausage make them more of an indulgent treat. Eat in moderation.
Do I need to thaw frozen crescent dough?
Nope! You can use crescent dough straight from the freezer. Just follow the package instructions.
Do donkey balls have to be round?
Feel free to get creative with the shape! Form into balls, logs, triangles – anything that suits your fancy.
Donkey Balls Recipe
Indulge in delicious donkey balls - an appetizing blend of savory sausage, rich cream cheese, and flaky crescent dough baked into bite-sized appetizer balls.
Ingredients
- 1 lb breakfast sausage
- 2 packages crescent rolls
- 1 package Philly cream cheese
- Red bell pepper
- 1 Jalapeno, diced (optional)
- 1 Purple Onion
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Ground sage
Instructions
- First, place a skillet on your electric stove and heat up. Then add your favorite breakfast sausage (our favorite is Jimmy Dean) in the skillet. Cook the sausage until it's browned up and halfway done.
- After that, add a little bit of diced red pepper, green onion, a jalapeno, and purple onion or any onions you have. You can add based on your taste.If you like spicy then add more pepper. I personally prefer less spicy. Then, cook the sausage again for 2 minutes.
- Add 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, a little bit of onion powder and some ground sage. Fry sausage for another 2-3 Minutes and turn off the heat.
Don’t add too much. Taste the sausage and if needed add those seasonings again. Drain off excess grease. - Add one block of Philly cream cheese and mix it all in with the sausage mixture that we prepared and put them in the oven. They’ll take about 12-15 minutes to prepare.
- Now, it's time to prepare those crescent rolls. Pop open those cans and pinch together two triangles to form a rectangle. You don't want any of that yummy filling leaking out.
- Spoon a generous amount of your sausage mixture onto each crescent roll rectangle, then roll 'em up tight. Seal those edges to keep all that goodness locked in.
- Place your stuffed crescent rolls onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and pop 'em in the oven. Bake them until they're golden brown and cooked through, usually around 12-15 minutes.
Nutrition Information:
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 150Total Fat: 10gSaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 250mgCarbohydrates: 10gFiber: 1gSugar: 2gProtein: 5g
The nutrition information provided below is estimated using an online nutrition calculator and should not be considered medical advice or guaranteed to be accurate. Please consult a professional for any dietary needs or restrictions.
Final Takeaways
I hope you’ll give my best donkey balls recipe a try soon. They’re easy to throw together, fun to serve, and absolutely delicious!
This unique spin on classic sausage balls is perfect for game day, parties, or anytime you need an appetizing snack. The combo of spicy sausage, rich cream cheese, and flaky crescent dough can’t be beat.
Let me know if you give donkey balls a try! I’d love to hear how they turn out and any twists you add to the filling. These little guys are endlessly adaptable based on your taste preferences.
Thanks for stopping by and happy cooking! May your donkey balls turn out perfectly browned and mouth watering delicious every time.
