Grandma's Sauerkraut Balls

This is a family recipe that's been made for family gatherings since I was a kid. They're delicious, and usually go in the first five minutes of a party, causing dinner to be delayed because everyone is full. The great thing is that they can be made ahead of time and frozen, then reheated as needed.

• Preparation Time: 30 mins
• Cooking Time: 30 mins
• Total Time: 60 mins
• Calories: 120 Calories

Ingredients

• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• ¼ cup milk
• 2 large eggs
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 4 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• ½ cup finely chopped onion
• 1 quart vegetable oil for frying, or as needed
• 1 cup all-purpose flour, or as needed
• 3 (16 ounce) packages bulk pork sausage
• 2 (16 ounce) cans sauerkraut - drained, rinsed, and finely chopped
• 2 teaspoons mustard
• 4 tablespoons dry bread crumbs

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

Step 2

Heat a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook and sausage and onion in the hot skillet until sausage is browned and crumbly, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain and discard grease.

Step 3

Transfer to a large bowl and add sauerkraut, cream cheese, parsley, mustard, garlic powder, and pepper. Mix until well combined. Cover and place in the refrigerator to chill for about 1 hour.

Step 4

Place flour in a shallow dish. Whisk milk and eggs together in a separate dish. Place bread crumbs in a third dish.

Step 5

Remove sauerkraut and sausage mixture from the refrigerator and roll into 3/4 inch balls. Roll balls in flour, then in milk-egg mixture, then in bread crumbs.

Step 6

Deep fry in batches until golden brown, about 3 minutes per batch. Drain on paper towels.