This post is sponsored by the Ohio Poultry Association but all opinions are my own.
These Leftover Turkey Stuffing Balls are the BEST way to use up Thanksgiving leftovers! Combine mashed potatoes, turkey, and stuffing with cheese and seasonings, coat in crispy panko breadcrumbs, and fry until golden brown. These crispy Thanksgiving balls are perfect for day-after snacking, appetizers, or even a fun weeknight dinner. Plus, they’re ready in just 30 minutes!
What Are Leftover Turkey Stuffing Balls?
Leftover Turkey Stuffing Balls (also called Thanksgiving Balls) are crispy, fried appetizers made from your Thanksgiving leftovers. Each ball combines mashed potatoes, turkey, stuffing, and cheese, coated in crunchy panko breadcrumbs and fried until golden. They’re basically all your favorite Thanksgiving flavors rolled into one bite-sized snack!
Thanksgiving is a beautiful whirlwind of family, delicious food, and maybe even some Black Friday shopping. But let’s be honest, the aftermath can be a bit daunting. Mountains of dishes, a fridge overflowing with leftovers…it’s a lot! This year, instead of letting those precious leftovers languish in the fridge, transform them into these irresistible Thanksgiving Leftover Balls. They’re the perfect way to enjoy all those holiday flavors in one crispy, savory bite!
Why You’ll Love These Leftover Turkey Balls
- Easy to Make: Simply combine your leftover mashed potatoes, stuffing, and turkey with a few extra ingredients, form them into balls, and coat them in crispy panko breadcrumbs.
- Minimizes Food Waste: Don’t throw away those delicious leftovers! This recipe helps you use them up in a creative and satisfying way.
- Kid-Friendly: These bite-sized balls are fun for kids and adults alike.
- Perfect for Snacking: Enjoy them as a pre-dinner appetizer, a game-day snack, or a fun addition to your holiday buffet.
- The Secret Ingredient: Eggs!
You might be surprised to learn that eggs are crucial in this recipe. They act as a binder, holding all the ingredients together and creating a deliciously moist interior. Eggs are nutritional powerhouses packed with protein and essential nutrients. They’re truly the unsung heroes of many dishes, from Eggs Benedict to these Thanksgiving Leftover Balls!
Let’s Get Cooking!
Ingredients for Thanksgiving Balls
- Leftover mashed potatoes
- Leftover stuffing
- Leftover turkey, chopped
- Green onions, chopped
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Shredded cheese (your favorite kind)
- Eggs
- Panko bread crumbs
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Oil for frying
How to Make Leftover Turkey Stuffing Balls
- In a large bowl, combine the mashed potatoes, stuffing, turkey, green onions, parsley, and cheese. Season with salt and pepper.
- Beat the eggs in a separate bowl.
- Form the mixture into small balls.
- Dip each ball in the beaten egg, then roll in the panko bread crumbs until fully coated.
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Fry the balls until golden brown and crispy on all sides.
- Drain on paper towels and serve warm.
Tips for Perfect Thanksgiving Leftover Balls
Add some spice: Mix in a pinch of cayenne pepper or your favorite hot sauce for a kick.
Get creative with the filling: Add other leftover veggies like cranberry sauce or roasted sweet potatoes.
Make it cheesy: Stuff a small cube of cheese into the center of each ball for a gooey surprise.
Baking option: For a healthier version, bake the balls in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
Enjoy these Thanksgiving Leftover Balls as a delicious and creative way to use up your holiday leftovers!
How to Serve Leftover Turkey Stuffing Balls
These Thanksgiving balls are incredibly versatile! Here are my favorite ways to serve them:
- As an appetizer: Serve with warm gravy and cranberry sauce for dipping
- Game day snack: Perfect for football viewing parties
- Breakfast: Top with a fried egg and hollandaise sauce for a Thanksgiving Benedict
- Lunch: Serve over mixed greens with ranch dressing
- Dinner: Pair with roasted vegetables and extra gravy
Storing and Reheating Thanksgiving Balls
- Refrigerator: Store cooked leftover turkey balls in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze cooked balls for up to 3 months. Reheat from frozen in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes.
- Reheating: For the crispiest results, reheat in the oven or air fryer at 350°F for 8-10 minutes. Avoid microwaving as it makes them soggy.
Commonly Asked Questions
Leftover turkey stuffing balls are made with mashed potatoes, cooked turkey, stuffing, eggs, cheese, green onions, and seasonings. They’re coated in panko breadcrumbs and fried until crispy. You can use whatever Thanksgiving leftovers you have on hand!
Yes! Spray the balls with cooking spray and bake at 375°F for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy. The texture will be slightly different from fried, but still delicious.
Absolutely! Form the balls, coat them in panko, and refrigerate on a baking sheet for up to 24 hours before frying. You can also freeze them (uncooked) for up to 3 months. Fry from frozen, adding 2-3 extra minutes to the cooking time.
Store cooked Thanksgiving balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 10 minutes to restore crispiness.
Turkey stuffing balls are amazing with gravy, cranberry sauce, ranch dressing, honey mustard, or even sriracha mayo. Leftover cranberry sauce is my personal favorite!
Yes! Try adding sweet potato, green bean casserole, or even mac and cheese. The basic recipe is very forgiving and works with most Thanksgiving sides.
While the recipe works best with all three, you can adjust ratios based on what you have. Just make sure the mixture holds together. If it’s too wet, add more panko breadcrumbs to the mixture.
Similar Recipes
If you like this recipe, you will enjoy the Thanksgiving-related recipes ones below:
- How to Deep Fry a Turkey
- Quick and Easy Homemade Gravy
- Candied Sweet Potatoes
- Cornbread Stuffing
- Apple and Bacon Herb Stuffing
Leftover Turkey Stuffing Balls (Easy Thanksgiving Recipe!)
- Total Time: 35 mins
- Yield: 32 1x
Description
Turn Thanksgiving leftovers into crispy, golden Leftover Turkey Stuffing Balls! Combine mashed potatoes, turkey, and stuffing, coat in panko, and fry to perfection. The best way to use up holiday leftovers in 30 minutes!
Ingredients
- 3 c. cooked mashed potatoes
- 1 1/2 c. cooked stuffing
- 3 eggs.
- 1/4 c. diced green onion
- 1 c. sharp cheddar cheese, grated
- 2 c. cooked turkey, chopped
- 1 tsp. Black pepper
- 1/4 tsp. Red pepper
- 1 tsp. Garlic powder
- 1 c. panko breadcrumbs
- Vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the leftover mashed potatoes, stuffing, eggs, green onion, sharp cheddar cheese, turkey black pepper, red pepper and garlic powder. Use your hands to combine all ingredients. Use a cookie scooper and make balls, roll into a round ball. Pour the panko breadcrumbs in a small bowl.
- Heat the vegetable oil to 350 Degrees in a deep fryer. Coat the balls with panko crumbs. Fry for 5-7 minutes until the balls are golden brown. Use a mesh spoon strainer and place it on a plate lined with paper towels. Serve while warm.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 25 mins
- Category: Appetiser
- Method: Deep Dry
- Cuisine: American
Oh, these little Thanksgiving balls look like the perfect way to enjoy some leftovers! These will be perfect for football watching after Thanksgiving. Thanks so much for sharing!
You’re welcome Amanda!
oh heck yes!! What a tasty way to use up those Thanksgiving leftovers. Love how crispy and golden they are.
Thank you Bernice!
What a creative way to make our Thanksgiving meal last longer, but in a fun, creative way. I bet these will be great for the whole family. Definitely a must try this year with leftovers.
Thanks Tara!
These leftover thanksgiving balls are a brilliant idea to use up left overs. And they are delicious! A great appetizer.
Thank you Michelle!
Fried balls of Thanksgiving goodness are so incredible looking! The Italians have been using up leftover rice in a similar way when they make arancini. I love creative way to use up leftovers. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you Analida!
Of course I had a ton of thanksgiving leftovers, so I had to make this… it was so good! Next time I make mashed potatoes, I’m making extra just so I have leftovers and can make this again!
Thanks Candice!
Oh I’m so down with these! I LOVE mashups and using Thanksgiving leftovers in creative ways! I can’t wait to try these!
Great Lori!
What a clever idea repurposing a holiday meal into something unique and delicious. I wish I had leftovers so I could make this recipe right now. Next time I’ll have to make extra so I can make this. I’m pinning the recipe.
Thank you marisa!
I agree! It’s a pain to make room for leftovers and then deal with eating them for days on end. But this! Girl, I can get behind eating leftovers when they’re mixed into a delicious ball, rolled in panko and fried. Genius idea and something I will definitely have to try with Christmas leftovers.
Thank you Nicole!
I love anything battered and fried..these little Thanksgiving bites are such a perfect idea. I can’t wait to make these. Great Idea!!
Thank you Debbie!
Happened across this recipe through a Google search when someone told my husband this is what they do with their Thanksgiving leftovers. My boys NEVER eat the leftovers. Everyone ate these! They are so good! I used mac n cheese instead of shredded cheese and used up some leftover corn casserole. Each bite was different. Some had a taste of dressing, others mac n cheese, still others corn casserole. It added a bit of variety to it! These will be my new go yo every year.
Awesome!!!!!!!
I usually have a good idea and then need to find a recipe for guidance. Yours looks great! Going to make them tonight and make a cranberry Mayo, or maybe even spicy cranberry Mayo dipping sauce to use some of the leftover cranberry sauce.
Awesome Erica! Come back and let me know how they turned out!
Delicious! A great way to use leftovers.
Thank you!I’m glad you like it.