Reuben Balls with Spicy Thousand Island Dipping Sauce Recipe
Crispy and flavorful Reuben Balls served with a zesty and spicy Thousand Island dipping sauce. These bite-sized delights combine classic Reuben sandwich ingredients into easy-to-eat fried or air-fried balls, perfect as an appetizer or snack.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Reuben Balls
- 1 cup chopped corned beef
- 1 cup drained sauerkraut
- 1 cup shredded Swiss cheese
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup rye breadcrumbs
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- Vegetable oil for frying or spray for air frying
Spicy Thousand Island Dipping Sauce
- 0.5 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon prepared horseradish
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- 1 tablespoon sweet relish
- 0.25 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Mix Filling: In a bowl, combine chopped corned beef, drained sauerkraut, shredded Swiss cheese, softened cream cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Form Balls: Shape the mixture into walnut-sized balls. Place them evenly spaced on a baking sheet and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to firm up.
- Prepare Breading Stations: Set out three separate bowls: one with all-purpose flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with rye breadcrumbs. This will be used to coat the balls thoroughly.
- Bread the Balls: Take each chilled ball and dredge first in the flour, then dip into the beaten eggs, and finally coat with rye breadcrumbs, ensuring even coverage.
- Cook: If frying, heat vegetable oil in a skillet or fryer to 350°F. Fry the balls in batches for 3–4 minutes until golden brown. Remove and drain on paper towels. Alternatively, for air frying, preheat air fryer to 400°F and cook the balls for 10 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time for even crispiness.
- Make Dipping Sauce: In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, ketchup, prepared horseradish, hot sauce, sweet relish, smoked paprika, and a pinch of salt. Mix well and chill until ready to serve. Serve alongside the warm Reuben Balls.
Notes
- Chilling the balls before breading helps them hold their shape during cooking.
- Adjust the amount of hot sauce in the dipping sauce for desired spice level.
- Vegetable oil is preferred for frying due to its high smoke point.
- These can be made ahead and refrigerated before frying for convenience.
- For a lighter version, air fry instead of deep frying.
Keywords: Reuben Balls, Corned Beef Snacks, Fried Appetizers, Thousand Island Sauce, Party Food
