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

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.

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 25

Servings: 4 Servings

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

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

Equipment

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

Method

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.

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.