Name: Donkey Balls Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 14 min
Total time: 29 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 Packages Crescent Rolls; 8 Ounces Cream Cheese (softened); 16 Ounces Breakfast Sausage (Jimmy Dean Sausage 1 standard package); 1 Medium Onion (Diced); 1/2 Teaspoon Garlic Powder

Jump to Recipe

If you’re on the hunt for a truly irresistible party appetizer or a next-level snack that comes together in a flash, look no further than the Donkey Balls Recipe. Imagine golden, flaky crescent rolls enveloping creamy, savory sausage filling, with just the right touch of onion and spice to make every bite unforgettable. Whether you’re whipping up a batch for a holiday get-together, game day, or simply need a crowd-pleaser that practically disappears the moment you put it out, this Donkey Balls Recipe fits the bill perfectly!

Ingredients You’ll Need

What makes the Donkey Balls Recipe so special is how the simplest ingredients combine to create something utterly crave-worthy. Each component plays a starring role in texture, flavor, and that irresistible “just one more” factor.

Crescent Rolls: The foundation of the recipe; these make every bite delightfully light, flaky, and buttery, encasing the savory filling perfectly.
Cream Cheese (softened): This brings incredible richness and a velvety texture, binding the filling and adding that unmistakable creamy tang.
Breakfast Sausage (Jimmy Dean Sausage): The sausage delivers bold, hearty flavor with hints of spice, making it the heart of each mouthful.
Medium Onion (Diced): Adds aromatic sweetness and a bit of crunch that balances the richness of the cream cheese and sausage beautifully.
Garlic Powder: Just the right pinch gives the filling a subtle, fragrant depth and warmth, enhancing every bite.

How to Make Donkey Balls Recipe

Step 1: Sauté the Sausage Mixture

Start by heating a large skillet over medium heat. Add the breakfast sausage, diced onion, and garlic powder. As the sausage browns, break it up with a spatula and stir frequently—this ensures both the sausage is cooked through and the onion becomes tender and translucent. Cook until there’s no pink left in the sausage and the aromas fill your kitchen!

Step 2: Cool and Combine the Filling

Once cooked, carefully drain the fat from the sausage mixture and let it cool for a few minutes. This step is key so that the heat doesn’t melt the cream cheese too quickly. In a big mixing bowl, blend the softened cream cheese with the drained sausage and onion until you have a creamy, well-mixed filling. It’ll look and smell irresistible even before baking!

Step 3: Prep the Crescent Dough

Unroll the crescent rolls onto a flat, lightly floured surface. Separate each roll along the perforations into triangles, then cut each triangle in half so you end up with 32 smaller triangles in total. The smaller size makes these the perfect handheld snack, and they bake up super crisp and light.

Step 4: Fill and Shape the Donkey Balls Recipe

Take a teaspoon of the sausage-cream cheese filling and place it in the center of each triangular piece of dough. Carefully bring up the edges of the dough around the filling and pinch well to seal, forming a neat ball shape. Don’t worry if they’re not all identical—homemade charm is part of the magic!

Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection

Arrange your filled dough balls, seam-side down, on a baking sheet lined with parchment or lightly greased. Space them about 1 inch apart to allow for even baking. Slide into a preheated 375 degree Fahrenheit oven and bake for about 14 minutes, or until each Donkey Ball is puffed and deeply golden. The smell is heavenly, and you’ll see the golden tops signaling that they’re ready to devour!

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

When they’re done, let them cool just enough to handle. These little bites are best served warm—pile them onto a platter with your favorite dipping sauces and watch them disappear in no time!

How to Serve Donkey Balls Recipe

Garnishes

Add a sprinkle of finely chopped fresh chives or parsley on top for a lovely pop of green, or dust lightly with paprika for a little smoky flair. A small bowl of creamy ranch or a spicy dipping sauce alongside doesn’t hurt, either!

Side Dishes

The Donkey Balls Recipe shines as an appetizer, but if you want to round out your table, serve with crunchy veggie sticks, a crisp salad, or even a homemade potato salad. These easy sides contrast perfectly with the richness of the bites.

Creative Ways to Present

Skewer each Donkey Ball with a toothpick for an easy grab-and-go party snack, or arrange them in a rustic bread basket lined with a patterned napkin. For a fun touch, serve them on a wood board with an assortment of dips in little ramekins—think honey mustard, sriracha mayo, or spicy ketchup!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you somehow end up with leftovers (don’t hold your breath!), store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. They keep well, and the flavor only seems to deepen as they rest.

Freezing

To freeze the Donkey Balls Recipe, let the baked balls cool completely, then place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze individually. Once solid, transfer them to a zip-top bag or freezer-safe container. They’ll keep beautifully for up to two months—making them a wonderful make-ahead snack.

Reheating

For best results, reheat in a 350 degree Fahrenheit oven for about 8 minutes, or until warmed through and re-crisped. The microwave works in a pinch, but the oven brings back that freshly baked texture and golden crust every time.

FAQs

Can I use a different kind of sausage in the Donkey Balls Recipe?

Absolutely! Feel free to swap in any fully cooked sausage you love, from spicy Italian to mild turkey or even vegetarian sausage. Just make sure it’s well-cooked and crumbled for easy blending with the cream cheese.

How do I prevent the balls from leaking while baking?

Be sure to pinch the dough firmly around the filling and place the seam side down on your baking sheet. A tight seal ensures all that creamy goodness stays tucked neatly inside.

Can I prepare these ahead for a party?

Yes, you can assemble the Donkey Balls Recipe up to a day in advance. Store unbaked, covered, in the fridge, and just bake them fresh when you’re ready to serve. They’ll come out piping hot and perfect!

What sauces pair best with Donkey Balls Recipe?

While they’re delicious on their own, creamy ranch, honey mustard, sriracha mayo, or a sweet chili sauce all make fantastic dips. Pick your favorite or set out a trio for guests to sample.

Can I use homemade dough instead of crescent rolls?

Crescent rolls give that classic buttery, flaky result, but feel free to try your favorite homemade bread or pastry dough. Just keep the pieces small and be sure to bake until golden brown!

Final Thoughts

If there’s one thing you absolutely need at your next gathering, it’s this Donkey Balls Recipe. Every bite is fun, flavorful, and packed with comfort. So go ahead, get baking—you (and everyone around you) will love every single mouthful!

Donkey Balls Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 24 reviews

Author: Lila
Total Time: 29 minutes
Yield: 32 Donkey Balls 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

These Donkey Balls are a delightful and savory appetizer featuring a delectable blend of cream cheese, sausage, and aromatic seasonings tucked inside buttery crescent roll dough. Perfect for entertaining or as a tasty snack!

Ingredients

Scale

Crescent Rolls:

2 Packages Crescent Rolls

Cream Cheese Mixture:

8 Ounces Cream Cheese (softened)
16 Ounces Breakfast Sausage (Jimmy Dean Sausage 1 standard package)
1 Medium Onion (Diced)
1/2 Teaspoon Garlic Powder

Instructions

Cook the Sausage Mixture: In a skillet, cook sausage, onion, and garlic powder until sausage is cooked and onions are translucent. Break up the sausage while cooking.
Combine Ingredients: Drain and cool the sausage mixture. In a bowl, mix cream cheese with the sausage mixture.
Prepare the Dough: Unroll crescent rolls and cut each triangle in half. Fill each piece with the sausage and cream cheese mixture, then shape into balls.
Bake: Arrange the balls on a baking sheet and bake at 375°F for 14 minutes until golden brown.
Serve: Enjoy the Donkey Balls on their own or with a dipping sauce of your choice.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 14 minutes
Category: Appetizer
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American