Are you looking for a new appetizer that’s sure to impress even the most discerning palates? Look no further than these incredibly delicious Sauerkraut Balls! They’re so good, even your “anti-kraut” guests will be asking for the recipe. Crafted with savory bratwurst, rich cream cheese, a blend of aromatic spices, and premium Frank’s Kraut, these bite-sized wonders are rolled in crispy breadcrumbs and perfectly fried to golden perfection. Get ready to elevate your appetizer game!
This post is proudly sponsored by Frank’s Kraut. My enthusiasm and genuine love for their sauerkraut are entirely my own. I wholeheartedly encourage you to support the brands that make delicious recipes and content from An Affair from the Heart possible.
Sauerkraut Balls: The Ultimate Appetizer That Will Surprise and Delight!
Don’t let the name fool you – these Sauerkraut Balls are far from silly; they are a truly sensational appetizer experience! If you’ve ever dismissed sauerkraut as merely a side dish for hot dogs or a topping for Reuben sandwiches, prepare to have your perceptions delightfully shattered. This recipe transforms humble sauerkraut into an irresistible, savory, and wonderfully crispy snack that is perfect for any gathering, proving that sometimes, the most unexpected combinations yield the most delicious results. Whether you’re a lifelong sauerkraut lover or a curious newcomer, these balls promise a delightful culinary adventure.
Why Sauerkraut Balls are a Must-Try Appetizer for Any Occasion
I can personally vouch for the magic of these Sauerkraut Balls. Time and again, I’ve served them to friends and family who adamantly claim not to be fans of sauerkraut. Yet, without fail, they rave about these bite-sized delights! The secret lies in the perfect balance of flavors and textures. The tangy kraut is skillfully mellowed by the rich, creamy texture of cream cheese, infused with savory spices, and encased in a satisfyingly crunchy breadcrumb crust. It’s a flavor combination that simply works, converting even the most skeptical palates into devoted fans. These aren’t just an appetizer; they’re a conversation starter, a palate cleanser, and a surprisingly addictive treat that will leave your guests reaching for more.
The Perfect Party Food: Easy, Versatile, and Make-Ahead Friendly
Who isn’t always on the lookout for a fantastic new appetizer, especially as the holiday season approaches or when planning a get-together? These Sauerkraut Balls fit the bill perfectly. Their convenient bite-sized nature makes them ideal for mingling and easy consumption at any party, potluck, or family gathering. What’s more, they are incredibly simple to prepare, requiring minimal fuss for maximum impact. The robust flavors of bratwurst, creamy cheese, and tangy sauerkraut come together harmoniously, creating a unique and memorable snack. But the real game-changer? You can make them ahead of time and freeze them, ready to be baked or fried whenever you need a quick and impressive snack. This makes them a lifesaver for busy hosts who want to offer homemade goodness without last-minute stress. Imagine pulling out a batch from the freezer, popping them into the oven, and having a gourmet appetizer ready in minutes – fresh, hot, and crispy, just when you need them!
The Essential Ingredient: Frank’s Kraut for Superior Flavor
When it comes to making the absolute BEST Sauerkraut Balls, the choice of sauerkraut truly matters. That’s why I wholeheartedly recommend Frank’s Kraut. Their unwavering commitment to quality and traditional methods shines through in every bite, delivering a superior flavor that elevates this appetizer from merely good to truly outstanding. Using a high-quality sauerkraut ensures the perfect balance of tangy, savory notes that are crucial to this recipe’s success. Don’t settle for anything less when aiming for perfection!
“Frank’s Kraut provides nutrition and adds zest to any meal. Made with only 3 ingredients – Cabbage, Salt and Water – Frank’s Kraut is Gluten Free, Low Calorie, and a tasty addition to any family meal. Traditionally hand made in the same oak vats from the turn of the century!”
What makes Frank’s Kraut stand out in a crowded market? It’s their dedication to simplicity and tradition. Using just three natural ingredients – crisp cabbage, pure salt, and water – they craft a product that is not only delicious but also naturally beneficial. Being gluten-free and low-calorie, it’s a smart choice for a balanced diet, offering a guilt-free indulgence. The traditional hand-making process, utilizing oak vats from centuries past, speaks to a heritage of quality and craftsmanship that is increasingly rare to find today. This commitment to authenticity ensures that every can of Frank’s Kraut brings a vibrant, consistent, and authentic flavor that is absolutely essential for our Sauerkraut Balls. Beyond just taste, fermented foods like sauerkraut are renowned for their probiotic benefits, supporting gut health and overall wellness, making these savory balls a surprisingly wholesome indulgence.
Frank’s Kraut offers a delightful range of flavors to explore, each perfect for different culinary creations. Try their Classic for a pure, traditional taste that’s wonderfully versatile; Bavarian, sweetened with a hint of sugar and fragrant caraway seeds for a milder, slightly sweeter profile; and
Polish Style, featuring robust caraway seeds for an extra aromatic kick that complements hearty dishes. Each variety offers a unique culinary experience, allowing you to tailor your sauerkraut dishes to your exact preferences.
Crafting Your Perfect Sauerkraut Balls: A Step-by-Step Guide for Crispy Perfection
Making these delectable Sauerkraut Balls is a straightforward process, but paying attention to a few key steps ensures perfection and guarantees that desirable crispy exterior and flavorful interior. You’ll begin by taking savory bratwurst out of its casing and crumbling it into a skillet. Brown it thoroughly alongside some finely minced onion until the meat is cooked through and tender, creating a rich, flavorful base for our balls. Once the meat is browned, it’s crucial to drain any excess grease thoroughly; this prevents a greasy final product and helps maintain that desirable crispness. To this flavorful mixture, you’ll add your premium Frank’s Kraut, which should be very well-drained and finely chopped. The importance of draining the sauerkraut cannot be overstated, as any excess moisture will make the mixture difficult to form and prevent optimal crisping. Next, introduce a symphony of additional flavors with your chosen spices, a generous spoonful of tangy stone-ground mustard for a subtle kick, and luscious cream cheese. The cream cheese acts as a vital binder, adding a wonderful richness, providing a smooth texture, and helping to temper the kraut’s tang, creating a beautifully balanced flavor profile. This combined mixture then needs to chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour. This crucial chilling step allows all the flavors to meld beautifully and, more importantly, makes the mixture firm enough to easily form into balls without crumbling or falling apart during the breading process.
Once properly chilled, it’s time to shape your Sauerkraut Balls. I find that a small cookie scoop works wonders for creating uniform, perfectly portioned balls, which ensures even cooking and consistent presentation. After forming, each ball gets a special three-step coating: first, a light dusting in all-purpose flour (shaking off any excess), then a dip into a whisked egg and milk mixture, and finally, a generous roll in seasoned breadcrumbs, pressing gently to ensure a thorough and even coating. This meticulous breading process is what creates that irresistible golden, crispy exterior when fried. Next, heat your chosen cooking oil, such as vegetable or canola oil, in a large skillet to the right temperature – hot enough to achieve a quick, golden-brown crust but not so hot that it burns the breadcrumbs before the inside is heated through. Fry the balls carefully in batches, turning them as needed, until they are beautifully golden and crispy on all sides. After frying, immediately remove the sauerkraut balls from the skillet and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil, ensuring they remain perfectly crisp and non-greasy. Serve these beauties hot, perhaps alongside your favorite dipping sauce like a creamy thousand island dressing or spicy mustard if you desire. Personally, I believe they are absolutely perfect just as they are, allowing their complex and savory flavors to truly shine without any additional adornments!
A Taste of Home: The Nebraska “Runza” Connection
For those of you who, like me, hail from or have spent time in Nebraska, you’ll likely appreciate a delightful culinary comparison. My family immediately remarked that these Sauerkraut Balls share a comforting similarity to a Runza! For the uninitiated, a Runza is a beloved regional dish, essentially a yeast bread pocket filled with seasoned ground beef, cabbage or sauerkraut, and onions. It’s a hearty, savory, and incredibly satisfying handheld meal that holds a special place in the hearts of Nebraskans, often evoking warm memories of home. While our Sauerkraut Balls are a crispy, fried appetizer rather than a baked bread pocket, they capture a very similar essence – the delightful combination of seasoned meat, tangy sauerkraut, and a comforting, savory profile. This nostalgic connection only adds to their charm and appeal, offering a familiar taste and a sense of culinary heritage in a new, exciting, and bite-sized format. It’s a testament to how traditional flavors can be reimagined and presented to create something truly special and universally appealing, whether you’re from the Great Plains or enjoying them for the very first time.
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Print Recipe
Sauerkraut Balls
Ingredients
- 2 bratwurst removed from their casings, crumbled
- 4 Tablespoons minced onion
- 1 14 ounce can Frank’s Kraut, drained and chopped fine
- 1 cup + 1 Tablespoon seasoned breadcrumbs
- Salt & Pepper to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons dried parsley
- 4 ounce cream cheese
- 1 heaping teaspoon stone ground mustard
- 1/3 cup flour
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 cup milk
- vegetable oil for cooking
Instructions
- Remove bratwurst from casings and crumble into a skillet. Cook with minced onion over medium heat until the meat is thoroughly browned. Drain any excess grease from the skillet. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
- In a separate bowl, combine and cream together the softened cream cheese, garlic powder, dried parsley, and stone ground mustard until smooth.
- Add the well-drained and finely chopped Frank’s Kraut and 1 tablespoon of seasoned bread crumbs to the cooked sausage and onion mixture.
- Incorporate the cream cheese mixture into the sausage and kraut blend, stirring until all ingredients are thoroughly combined and evenly distributed.
- Cover the mixture and place it in the refrigerator to chill for at least an hour, or up to two hours. This chilling process helps the mixture firm up, making it easier to form into balls.
- In a shallow dish, whisk together the eggs and milk until well combined, creating an egg wash.
- Using a small cookie scoop or your hands, form the chilled mixture into uniform, bite-sized balls. Roll each ball first in flour (shaking off excess), then dip it into the egg and milk mixture, and finally, roll it generously in the remaining seasoned breadcrumbs, pressing gently to adhere.
- Pour enough vegetable oil into a large skillet to cover the bottom by about 1/2 inch. Heat the oil over medium-high heat until shimmering. Carefully place the breaded sauerkraut balls into the hot oil, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Brown the balls on all sides until golden and crispy. You may need to do this in batches.
- Once cooked, remove the sauerkraut balls from the skillet and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess grease.
- Serve immediately while hot and crispy. Enjoy!
Notes for Make-Ahead & Serving
Nutrition Information
Explore More Sauerkraut Recipes from An Affair from the Heart
If you’ve discovered a new love for sauerkraut through these amazing balls, or if you’re already a dedicated kraut enthusiast, you’re in for a treat! We share your passion for this versatile ingredient and have a wealth of other delicious recipes waiting for you. Dive into ALL of my Sauerkraut Recipes today and uncover new ways to enjoy this fermented cabbage!
Here are a couple more highly-rated and incredibly popular appetizers featuring sauerkraut that you absolutely must try to complete your appetizer spread:
Reuben Pinwheels: These delightful spirals pack all the classic flavors of a Reuben sandwich – corned beef, Swiss cheese, and sauerkraut – into a convenient, flaky, and utterly addictive puff pastry appetizer. Perfect for game day, holiday parties, or any gathering where you want a unique and impressive snack!
Hot Reuben Dip: A warm, creamy, and incredibly flavorful dip bursting with the iconic flavors of corned beef, Swiss cheese, and sauerkraut, baked until bubbling and golden. This warm dip is an absolute crowd-pleaser that disappears quickly, perfect for sharing with friends and family with rye bread or crackers!
Stay Connected with Frank’s Kraut for More Delicious Inspiration!
Never miss out on delicious ideas and innovative recipes throughout the year by following Frank’s Krauton their various social media channels. They constantly share innovative ways to incorporate sauerkraut into your meals, from appetizers and side dishes to hearty main courses and beyond. Join their community for cooking tips, new recipe alerts, and a celebration of all things sauerkraut!
Follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram for all things delicious and sauerkraut-related! Get tips, new recipes, and be part of their vibrant community.
The Ultimate Guide to Sauerkraut: Deep Dive into Its World
For those who are truly captivated by the wonders of sauerkraut, whether you’re a seasoned connoisseur or just beginning your journey into fermented foods, our comprehensive Ultimate Guide to Sauerkraut is an invaluable resource. This detailed guide covers everything you could possibly want to know about kraut: delving into its rich history, explaining the traditional fermentation process, exploring its incredible health benefits (from probiotics to vitamins), and offering a treasure trove of additional recipes that go beyond the usual suspects. Discover where sauerkraut comes from, how it’s made with time-honored techniques, and countless creative ways to integrate this healthy and flavorful food into your everyday diet. It’s the perfect companion for anyone looking to truly understand, appreciate, and master the art of cooking with this humble yet mighty vegetable.