Donkey Balls Recipe

If you’re craving something simple, no fuss, no muss, it’s time for the tasty appetizer with a funny name—Donkey Balls.

When people try it for the first time, they are delightfully surprised; once they learn it requires no time to whip up, it becomes the talk of the party.

It’s sausages and cream cheese wrapped in a crescent roll dough. It requires only 5 ingredients but is so packed with flavors that it’s utterly delicious.

So today, you’ll learn how to make this much-requested snack with the best Donkey Balls recipe we have prepared for you.

How to Make Donkey Balls

This Donkey Balls recipe is for easy Sausage Rolls that are both relaxing and filling. The recipe comes in handy for any occasion, as the delicious taste results from only 5 ingredients.

And since you probably already have all of them in your pantry, these little balls of meat heaven come together in minutes.

The flavor of this Donkey Balls snack makes your mouth water, and the meaty aroma always gets you.

Dip them in some cream-based sauces like the Texas roadhouse ranch, and you won’t go without them in any future gathering.

Ingredients:

(32 pieces)

• 2 packages of crescent rolls
• 8 ounces cream cheese
• 1 medium onion
• 16 ounces sausage
• ½ tsp garlic powder

Instructions:

Although the Donkey Balls come together in no time, there is a specific process to follow if you want them to turn out delicious and flavorsome.

You have to make sure to break up the sausage into smaller pieces when frying them with the rest of the Donkey Balls filling. Then, cut the crescent rolls into triangles, put a small tablespoon of filling and make a slight ball shape.

That’s it. And since the filling is pre-cooked, it will bake in about 15 minutes. Quick and simple. Could you ask for more?

Let’s break down the process into steps.

Step 1:

Begin by cooking the onions, sausage, and garlic powder in a large skillet until the onions are translucent and the links are cooked through. Then, drain the mixture and let it cook for a few minutes before mixing it with the cream cheese in a large bowl.

Note: the cream cheese should preferably be at room temperature; this way, it will be easier to blend into the meat mixture.

Step 2:

Unroll a package of the crescent rolls and cut each triangle in half. The box has about 8 triangles, so you’ll end up with 32 pieces from 2 packages. But make sure the dough is not coming directly from the fridge.

Step 3:

Fill each piece of dough with a tablespoon of the sausage and cream cheese filling. Then, bring the sides of the filling together to make a slight ball shape.

Step 4:

Place your Donkey Balls on a pre-prepared cookie sheet and bake for about 14 minutes at 375 𐩑F in a preheated oven until the crescent rolls are golden brown.

Additionally, you can make an egg wash to brush the tops of the Donkey Balls just before they go into the oven. It will give them a beautiful golden color. For that, mix 2 tablespoons of water and egg.

Then, once they come out of the oven, you can brush your meaty balls with some butter for a nice shine and a salty crust.

Garnish with fresh thyme and serve with your favorite sauce. Enjoy!

Ingredient Substitution

The other thing about these delicious Donkey Balls is that they are super versatile. You can change the filling to suit your palate or add dried herbs like mint or rosemary to the dough to amplify the flavors.

Besides, a variety of meats work well as Donkey Balls filling: spicy Italian sausage, ham, salami, or mortadella.

Try these tasty substitutes, and you won’t be disappointed.

Mascarpone

Mascarpone is an Italian cheese made with heavy cream with tartaric and citric acid. It is also a high-fat variety of cream cheese with a similar texture and taste. That’s why it makes an excellent substitute for cream cheese.

However, it is slightly sweet and has twice the amount of fat. Apart from that, both pieces of cheese are used pretty much interchangeably. You can also try to add a dash of salt and a spritz of lemon juice for the same tangy taste.

Just use the same amount of mascarpone as you would for cream cheese.

Minced chicken or turkey

Any other meat like minced chicken or turkey is an excellent substitute if you don’t have any sausages for this Donkey Balls recipe.

If you season it with garlic, salt, pepper, and some fennel, you might get a better taste than traditional sausage. Besides, minced chicken and turkey could be found in any store.

Just note that you might need to cook it in a skillet for a little longer than the sausages.

What to Serve with Donkey Balls

These flavorful, meaty, and cheesy Donkey Balls work wonders with various dipping sauces. However, their potential goes further than that.

You can make a lot of exciting pairings with this appetizer and serve it with some other sides for a complete meal.

We’ve prepared some exciting options for you to add to your next party menu.

Stuffed Ziti Fritta

Since Donkey Balls are the most straightforward dish, you might not want to make anything too complicated for the side. So, if you’re looking for an easy but impressive side dish—Stuffed Ziti Fritta is.

It is a crispy appetizer that also comes together in minutes. It goes down to cooking pasta, stuffing it with a cheese mixture, and deep-frying. The main thing is to find the right kind of pasta—and then be able to stop popping it in your mouth.

Dipping Ziti Fritta and the Donkey balls in your favorite sauce is a pairing to die for.

Boom Boom sauce

If you haven’t decided what sauce to use for dipping your Donkey Balls in, give Boom Boom sauce a try. It is a spicy Mexican-inspired sauce made with tomatillos, green chilies, cilantro, and green onions.

But the main “quirk” is a melted American cheese that coats all the peppers’ flavors into a rich, creamy mixture. It will provide a nice contrast for a crunchy Donkey Balls texture.

Plus, Boom Boom sauce is just mixing all the ingredients and letting it cook while you make your meaty balls.

How to Reheat Donkey Balls

Since Donkey Balls can make a great appetizer and even a full meal at dinner, you can end up making too many and not being able to finish them.

Luckily, these meaty balls can be stored easily. So, you can make a big batch and reheat them every time you’re itching for a snack.

This is how you can reheat your Donkey Balls.

Reheat Donkey Balls in a Microwave

A microwave is the quickest way to warm up your Donkey Balls. However, it is essential to note that you shouldn’t reheat more than three or four Donkey Balls at a time since stuffing the whole batch into your microwave will result in uneven heat distribution.

So, you should wrap a napkin around 1 or 2 Donkey Balls and reheat them for 5 seconds. Then, flip the napkin and heat the other side for another 5 seconds.

Reheat Donkey Balls in an Air fryer

Air fryer ensures your meaty balls don’t overheat or burn, though it takes longer than the microwave. Turn on the heat to 375 °F and place a tray with your Donkey Balls in the air fryer. Leave some space between the balls and only reheat small batches.

Reheat Donkey Balls in an Oven

The oven is the best option if you want the Donkey Balls to have a freshly baked taste and smell. Preheat your oven to 400 °F, place the balls on a baking tray, and reheat for about 10 minutes.

Check them a few times to make sure you’re not overbaking them.

How to Store Donkey Balls

Instead of making Donkey Balls every time and wondering what to do with the uneaten food, store them in a freezer or a fridge.

With the various reheating methods shared above, the meat will keep its texture and taste as day one, even after storing.

Store Donkey Balls in the Fridge

As room temperatures won’t only ruin the taste of your Donkey Balls but will also help potentially harmful bacteria, it’s better to store your Donkey balls in the fridge.

Just put the balls into an airtight container and keep them for about 4 days. But don’t leave them there for longer than a week.

Store Donkey Balls in the Freezer

Don’t worry, the Donkey balls won’t lose their tastiness in the freezer if you store them properly. Make sure to place your cooled meaty balls on a baking sheet, leaving at least half an inch between each ball, and move the baking sheet to the freezer.

Once frozen, take them out, pack the Donkey balls into some zip-lock bags, and put them back in the freezer. They can be stored like that for as long as 3 months.