Description
These delicious Reuben Balls transform the classic Reuben sandwich flavors into bite-sized comfort food. Packed with corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and rye breadcrumbs, these crispy, golden appetizers are perfect for game days or elegant gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups finely chopped corned beef
- 1 cup Swiss cheese, shredded
- ¾ cup sauerkraut, well-drained and chopped
- ½ cup rye bread crumbs
- 3 tablespoons Thousand Island dressing
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs (for coating)
- ¼ cup rye bread crumbs (for coating)
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted (for coating)
- Cooking spray or vegetable oil for frying
- ½ cup Thousand Island dressing (for dipping sauce)
- 1 tablespoon horseradish (for dipping sauce)
Instructions
- Drain sauerkraut thoroughly by squeezing in a clean kitchen towel. Finely chop the sauerkraut and corned beef.
- In a large bowl, combine corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, ½ cup rye bread crumbs, Thousand Island dressing, parsley, Dijon mustard, beaten egg, garlic powder, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until well combined.
- Refrigerate mixture for at least 30 minutes to firm up.
- Prepare coating by mixing panko breadcrumbs and ¼ cup rye bread crumbs with melted butter in a shallow dish.
- Form chilled mixture into 1½-inch balls and roll in breadcrumb mixture until evenly coated.
- Choose cooking method: Bake at 375°F for 15-20 minutes, air fry at 375°F for 8-10 minutes, or deep fry at 350°F for 2-3 minutes until golden brown.
- Prepare dipping sauce by combining Thousand Island dressing with horseradish.
- Serve hot Reuben balls with dipping sauce, garnished with chopped parsley if desired.
Notes
- Ensure sauerkraut is thoroughly drained to prevent mixture from becoming too wet.
- Don’t skip the chilling time as it helps the balls hold their shape.
- Use a cookie scoop for uniform sizing to ensure even cooking.
- The mixture can be prepared up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerated.
- Uncooked balls can be frozen for up to 2 months – freeze on a baking sheet, then transfer to freezer bags.
- For gluten-free version, substitute gluten-free breadcrumbs and add caraway seeds for rye flavor.
- Reheat in oven or air fryer rather than microwave for maximum crispiness.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baked, Air Fried, or Deep Fried
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 Reuben balls
- Calories: 285
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: Reuben balls recipe, corned beef appetizer, Irish-inspired appetizer, game day snacks, party food, sandwich-inspired appetizer, St. Patrick's Day recipe, comfort food, finger food