Go Back
+ servings
Sauerkraut balls on a plate with sauce in the background.
Print Recipe
4.43 from 21 votes

Sauerkraut Balls

Golden brown and crispy on the outside and filled with an ooey, gooey cheesy filling of sauerkraut and sausage, these Sauerkraut Balls are just about the best snack around!
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Chilling time30 minutes
Course: Appetizers
Cuisine: American, European
Keyword: balls, fried, sauerkraut and sausage, sauerkraut balls, sausage balls
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 1098kcal
Author: Chef Jenn

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1/2 pound bratwurst sausage about 2 links
  • 8 ounces cream cheese softened
  • 8 ounces swiss cheese shredded
  • 1 cup sauerkraut well drained and packed
  • 1/2 cup all purpose flour
  • 1 cup dry breadcrumbs
  • 2 large eggs
  • oil for frying

For the mustard sauce

  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 2 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
  • 2 tablespoons coarse mustard eg: stoneground
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon whole mustard
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Brown the sausage in a skillet, breaking it up into small chunks as you cook it, and spoon off the fat. Drain the sausage on a few layers of paper towel and allow to cool.
  • Beat the cream cheese in the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment until it is fluffy.
  • Mix in the Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and sausage, mixing in between each addition.
  • Set up a dredging station with the eggs, flour, and breadcrumbs in separate shallow bowls. Whip the eggs with a fork until well-mixed.
  • Roll 2-tablespoons or so of the sauerkraut-sausage mixture into a ball - your hands are going to get gooey. Roll the ball into the flour to coat it evenly, then roll it in the egg and finally in the breadcrumbs. Press down lightly to make sure the breadcrumbs stick. Set the breaded ball on a plate and repeat until all the balls are done.
  • Refrigerate the balls for about 30 minutes or as long as overnight. This will help the breadcrumbs stick.
  • Heat the oil to 350-360-F in a cast-iron or heavy-bottomed skillet. You want the oil to come at least halfway up the sides of the breaded sauerkraut ball. A digital meat thermometer can help you get an accurate read on the oil.
  • Carefully add the breaded balls to the hot oil - working in batches, so you don't overcrowd the pan - and fry them for 2 minutes or until golden brown on one side, then carefully flip them over and fry another 2 minutes or until golden brown.
  • Transfer them with a slotted spoon to paper towels and sprinkle with salt.
  • Cool the balls for a few minutes, then dig in!

To make the mustard sauce:

  • Mix the mayonnaise, sour cream, mustards, and cream in a small bowl until combined. Season with salt and pepper.
  • Chill until ready to serve.

Notes

Chef Jenn's Tips

  • The mustard sauce can be made a day or two ahead of time. Keep it in the fridge in an airtight container.
  • Regulate the temperature of the cooking oil, turning the stove heat up or down as needed to keep the heat consistent.
  • Test one of the Sauerkraut Balls to see if it's done by pulling it apart. It should be hot in the middle, and the cheese should be stringy/gooey.
  • Serve the balls right away, or keep them warm in a low oven (like 250-F) for up to 30 minutes.
  • Serve the balls with the amazing mustard sauce!
*nutritional information does not include values for the oil absorbed during frying.

Nutrition

Serving: 5balls | Calories: 1098kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 37g | Fat: 87g | Saturated Fat: 37g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 17g | Monounsaturated Fat: 26g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 282mg | Sodium: 1584mg | Potassium: 549mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 1695IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 698mg | Iron: 4mg