Festive Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls – Crispy, Juicy & Perfect for Holiday Appetizers

🎉 Introduction

These Festive Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls are the ultimate bite-sized holiday appetizer — crispy on the outside, juicy and tender on the inside, and packed with cozy Christmas flavors. Made with seasoned ground turkey, herbs, soft stuffing, and sweet-tart cranberries, these golden bites taste like a mini holiday feast rolled into one delicious mouthful.

They’re perfect for Christmas parties, Thanksgiving spreads, potlucks, or as a fun twist on traditional stuffing. Serve them with a creamy garlic sauce, herby gravy, or a bright cranberry dip for a festive, crowd-pleasing appetizer everyone will remember.

🧰 Equipment Needed

• Mixing bowl
• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper
• Large skillet (optional for browning)
• Spoon or scoop
• Oven

🛒 Ingredients

Stuffing Balls

• 1 lb ground turkey
• 2 cups prepared stuffing (any brand or homemade)
• ½ cup dried cranberries (or chopped fresh cranberries)
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp dried rosemary
• 1 tsp parsley
• ½ tsp paprika
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil (for brushing or drizzling)

Optional Dips

• Cranberry mustard dip
• Garlic herb yogurt dip
• Simple gravy

👩‍🍳 Directions

Step 1: Mix the Filling

In a large bowl combine:

• ground turkey
• prepared stuffing
• cranberries
• onion
• garlic
• egg
• all spices

Mix gently with your hands until fully combined but not overworked.

Step 2: Shape

Scoop mixture into golf-ball–sized pieces and roll tightly.

Place on a parchment-covered baking sheet.

Brush or drizzle lightly with olive oil for browning.

Step 3: Bake

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).

Bake 18–22 minutes, until:

• golden brown
• cooked through
• internal temperature reaches 165°F

Optional: brown the outside in a skillet for extra crispiness.

Step 4: Serve

Serve warm with:

• cranberry dip
• garlic herb yogurt
• or warm gravy

Garnish with fresh herbs for a festive touch.

🍽️ Servings & Timing

• Makes: 16–20 stuffing balls
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Bake Time: 18–22 minutes
• Total Time: ~30 minutes

🧊 Storage & Reheating

Refrigerator: 3–4 days
Freezer: 2 months

Reheat:

Bake at 350°F for 8–10 minutes or air fry 5–6 minutes.

🥄 Variations

1. Fresh Cranberry Version
   Use chopped fresh cranberries for extra tartness.
2. Cheesy Stuffing Balls
   Add ½ cup shredded mozzarella or cheddar.
3. Herb-Loaded Version
   Add extra thyme, rosemary, and parsley.
4. Sweet Potato Twist
   Add ¼ cup mashed sweet potato for sweetness.
5. Cranberry-Apple Mix
   Add ¼ cup small diced apples.
6. Spicy Version
   Add chili flakes or diced jalapeños.
7. Gluten-Free
   Use gluten-free stuffing.
8. Vegetable-Boosted
   Add finely diced celery and carrots.
9. Stuffed Version
   Place a cube of mozzarella inside each ball.
10. Butter-Basted
    Brush with melted butter before baking for extra flavor.

❓ 10 FAQs

1. Can I use leftover stuffing?
   Yes — perfect way to use leftovers.
2. Can I make these ahead?
   Yes, shape and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking.
3. Can I freeze before baking?
   Absolutely — freeze on a tray, then bag.
4. Why are mine falling apart?
   Add more egg or stuffing until mixture binds.
5. Can I use chicken instead of turkey?
   Yes — works the same.
6. How fine should the onion be chopped?
   Very fine so the balls stay compact.
7. Do I need to brown them in a skillet?
   Optional — adds crisp texture.
8. Can I use fresh herbs?
   Yes — double the quantity.
9. What dip is best?
   Cranberry mustard or simple gravy.
10. Can kids eat these?
    Yes — they’re mild, soft, and easy to eat.

🏁 Conclusion

These Festive Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls transform classic holiday flavors into irresistible bite-sized treats. Juicy turkey, herb-seasoned stuffing, and sweet-tart cranberries form the perfect balance of savory and festive, making them ideal for Christmas gatherings, appetizer spreads, or cozy winter dinners.

Simple to make and easy to love, these stuffing balls bring holiday cheer with every bite.

Festive Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls – Crispy, Juicy & Perfect for Holiday Appetizers

These Festive Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls are the ultimate bite-sized holiday appetizer — crispy on the outside, juicy and tender on the inside, and packed with cozy Christmas flavors. Made with seasoned ground turkey, herbs, soft stuffing, and sweet-tart cranberries, these golden bites taste like a mini holiday feast rolled into one delicious mouthful. They’re perfect for Christmas parties, Thanksgiving spreads, potlucks, or as a fun twist on traditional stuffing. Serve them with a creamy garlic sauce, herby gravy, or a bright cranberry dip for a festive, crowd-pleasing appetizer everyone will remember.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Servings: 4 Servings

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

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Ingredients

  

Stuffing Balls

• 1 lb ground turkey
• 2 cups prepared stuffing any brand or homemade
• ½ cup dried cranberries or chopped fresh cranberries
• 1 small onion finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp dried rosemary
• 1 tsp parsley
• ½ tsp paprika
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil for brushing or drizzling

Optional Dips

• Cranberry mustard dip
• Garlic herb yogurt dip
• Simple gravy

Get Our Best App for Daily Great Recipes 🍽️

Discover warm, delicious, home-style meals — fresh recipes added every day inside Jacky’s Kitchen.

Coming Soon

Equipment

• Mixing bowl
• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper
• Large skillet (optional for browning)
• Spoon or scoop
• Oven

Method

 

Step 1: Mix the Filling

1. In a large bowl combine:
2. ground turkey
3. prepared stuffing
4. cranberries
5. onion
6. garlic
7. egg
8. all spices
9. Mix gently with your hands until fully combined but not overworked.

Step 2: Shape

1. Scoop mixture into golf-ball–sized pieces and roll tightly.
2. Place on a parchment-covered baking sheet.
3. Brush or drizzle lightly with olive oil for browning.

Step 3: Bake

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Bake 18–22 minutes, until:
3. golden brown
4. cooked through
5. internal temperature reaches 165°F
6. Optional: brown the outside in a skillet for extra crispiness.

Step 4: Serve

1. Serve warm with:
2. cranberry dip
3. garlic herb yogurt
4. or warm gravy
5. Garnish with fresh herbs for a festive touch.

Notes

🧊 Storage & Reheating

Refrigerator: 3–4 days
Freezer: 2 months

Reheat:

Bake at 350°F for 8–10 minutes or air fry 5–6 minutes.

🥄 Variations

Fresh Cranberry Version
Use chopped fresh cranberries for extra tartness.

Cheesy Stuffing Balls
Add ½ cup shredded mozzarella or cheddar.

Herb-Loaded Version
Add extra thyme, rosemary, and parsley.

Sweet Potato Twist
Add ¼ cup mashed sweet potato for sweetness.

Cranberry-Apple Mix
Add ¼ cup small diced apples.

Spicy Version
Add chili flakes or diced jalapeños.

Gluten-Free
Use gluten-free stuffing.

Vegetable-Boosted
Add finely diced celery and carrots.

Stuffed Version
Place a cube of mozzarella inside each ball.

Butter-Basted
Brush with melted butter before baking for extra flavor.

❓ 10 FAQs

Can I use leftover stuffing?
Yes — perfect way to use leftovers.

Can I make these ahead?
Yes, shape and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking.

Can I freeze before baking?
Absolutely — freeze on a tray, then bag.

Why are mine falling apart?
Add more egg or stuffing until mixture binds.

Can I use chicken instead of turkey?
Yes — works the same.

How fine should the onion be chopped?
Very fine so the balls stay compact.

Do I need to brown them in a skillet?
Optional — adds crisp texture.

Can I use fresh herbs?
Yes — double the quantity.

What dip is best?
Cranberry mustard or simple gravy.

Can kids eat these?
Yes — they’re mild, soft, and easy to eat.

🏁 Conclusion

These Festive Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls transform classic holiday flavors into irresistible bite-sized treats. Juicy turkey, herb-seasoned stuffing, and sweet-tart cranberries form the perfect balance of savory and festive, making them ideal for Christmas gatherings, appetizer spreads, or cozy winter dinners.

Simple to make and easy to love, these stuffing balls bring holiday cheer with every bite.