Description
These Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls are a festive, crowd-pleasing appetizer made with leftover turkey, stuffing, and cranberries, baked to golden perfection. They’re easy to make, perfect for holiday gatherings, and deliver all the best flavors of Thanksgiving in one bite.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked turkey, shredded or chopped
- 3 cups prepared and cooled stuffing
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 3 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 large egg
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs (for coating)
- Olive oil spray or melted butter (for baking)
- Optional: 1/2 cup grated cheddar or Parmesan cheese
- Optional: 1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
- Optional: 1/4 cup chopped apple
- Optional: 1–2 tbsp chicken broth (if stuffing is dry)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
- In a large bowl, combine turkey, stuffing, dried cranberries, cream cheese, egg, parsley, salt, and pepper. If stuffing is dry, add chicken broth.
- Mix until well combined and mixture holds together. If too wet, add more stuffing or breadcrumbs.
- Scoop about 2 tablespoons of mixture per ball and roll gently between your palms to form balls. Place on prepared baking sheet.
- Pour panko breadcrumbs into a shallow bowl. Roll each ball in breadcrumbs to coat and return to baking sheet.
- Mist tops with olive oil spray or brush with melted butter.
- Bake for 18–22 minutes, until golden brown and crispy. Flip halfway through for extra crunch if desired.
- Let cool for 5 minutes before serving. Serve with cranberry sauce, gravy, or your favorite dip.
Notes
For best results, use slightly moist stuffing to help the balls hold together. If your mixture is too dry, add a splash of broth; if too wet, add more stuffing or breadcrumbs. Flip balls halfway through baking for extra crunch. Serve hot with cranberry sauce or gravy. Can be made gluten-free or dairy-free with simple swaps. Freeze unbaked balls for make-ahead convenience.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ball
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 150
- Fat: 3
- Saturated Fat: 1
- Carbohydrates: 10
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 5
Keywords: cranberry turkey stuffing balls, holiday appetizer, Thanksgiving leftovers, easy appetizer, turkey recipe, stuffing balls, party food, finger food, festive snack