‘Tis the season for Thanksgiving leftovers, and honestly—this might be my favorite part of the holiday. There’s just something magical about finding new ways to reinvent all that extra stuffing sitting in the fridge. These Leftover Thanksgiving Stuffing Balls are crispy on the outside, soft and cheesy on the inside, and the perfect bite-sized way to enjoy those holiday flavors all over again.
I’ve been obsessed with finding creative leftover recipes that feel fresh and exciting, and this one might just take the cake (or the stuffing!). They’re easy to make, perfectly golden when air-fried, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious thanks to a surprise cube of cheddar cheese tucked inside each one. Pair them with cranberry sauce or a drizzle of gravy and you’ve got yourself the best post-Thanksgiving snack ever. These also work as a fun alternative to traditional stuffing on your Thanksgiving table, or as a tasty Friendsgiving appetizer!
Making Leftover Thanksgiving Stuffing Balls
Start with cold leftover stuffing—this is key, because it’s easier to handle and binds together better. If you want to make stuffing just to make these, I highly recommend trying my Easy Thanksgiving Stuffing recipe. It uses boxed mix as the base so it’s super easy to make. Then, once cooled, I like to fluff mine up with a fork first to break up any big chunks. If your stuffing is super dense, a quick pulse in the food processor works wonders.
Next, mix in a beaten egg to help everything hold together, then add a splash of chicken broth one tablespoon at a time until the mixture feels sticky and cohesive. You don’t want it too wet—just enough to form a soft, compact ball.
Now for the best part: the cheese! Scoop up some of your stuffing mixture using a large cookie scoop, press a small cube of cheddar in the center, and form the stuffing around it until the cheese is completely sealed inside. Arrange your stuffing balls on your air fryer tray, give them a light spray of cooking oil, and air fry at 370°F until they’re golden brown and crispy on the edges.
I love serving these with leftover cranberry sauce for a sweet-tart dip, but gravy is just as tasty if you’re in a savory mood. Either way, they’re an irresistible snack that’ll make you wish you had more stuffing to work with.
So before you toss out that last bit of Thanksgiving stuffing—turn it into something fun, crispy, and totally irresistible. These Leftover Thanksgiving Stuffing Balls are a festive and flavorful way to keep the holiday spirit (and the good food) going all weekend long.
More Holiday Recipes
If you’re looking for more recipes that are perfect for Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving, or Fall in general, here are some tasty ones to try:
- Corn Muffins with Maple Bacon Butter
- Easy Mashed Potatoes
- Spicy Maple Roasted Vegetables
- Air Fryer Glazed Carrots
Leftover Thanksgiving Stuffing Balls
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Mixing Bowls
- Cookie Scoop
Ingredients
- 3 cups stuffing cold leftover
- 1 egg beaten
- 2 tbsp chicken broth
- 12 small cubes of cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Use a fork to fluff up your stuffing. If the chunks are too big, pulse it in a food processor before mixing.
- Add the beaten egg and mix well. Add chicken broth a tablespoon at a time until you have a sticky mixture that binds together.
- Use a large cookie scoop to scoop the mixture, place a cube of cheddar cheese in the center, and form a ball around it.
- Arrange the balls on an air fryer tray, spray with cooking spray, and air fry at 370°F until golden brown, about 12 to 15 minutes.
- Serve warm with cranberry sauce or gravy and enjoy!
