Description
Mouthwatering stuffing bites blend classic Thanksgiving flavors into crispy appetizer perfection. Golden-brown edges and creamy interiors make guests crave these irresistible party snacks you’ll want to savor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz (226 g) Italian sausage, removed from casing
- 8 cups (1.89 L) white bread, cubed
- 1.5 cups (354 mL) low-sodium chicken stock
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- ½ yellow onion, finely diced
- 4 celery stalks, finely diced
- 6 large fresh sage leaves, minced
- 6 sprigs of fresh thyme, minced
- 2 tsps (10 mL) olive oil
- Kosher salt
- ½ tsp freshly ground pepper
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F and lightly grease a muffin tin with butter or cooking spray.
- Bread Toasting: Spread bread cubes on a sheet pan, toasting until golden, approximately 10 minutes. Cool completely after removing from oven.
- Meat Preparation: Brown Italian sausage in a skillet until fully cooked, transferring to a large mixing bowl. In the same skillet, sauté onions and celery with olive oil, adding sage, thyme, and black pepper until vegetables are fragrant and tender.
- Mixture Assembly: Combine toasted bread cubes, cooked sausage, and seasoned vegetables. Whisk eggs separately, then fold into the mixture to create a moist, cohesive stuffing.
- Filling and Baking: Pack the stuffing mixture firmly into muffin cups, pressing gently to create compact bites. Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes until the surface develops a rich golden-brown crust with crisp edges.
- Serving: Allow stuffing bites to rest briefly after removing from oven. Gently extract from muffin tin using a butter knife and serve warm as an appetizing side dish or standalone bite-sized treat.
Notes
- Bread Selection Matters: Choose day-old or slightly stale bread for optimal texture and better absorption of flavors and moisture.
- Sausage Seasoning Tip: Select a well-seasoned Italian sausage to enhance the overall depth and richness of the stuffing bites.
- Moisture Management: Avoid overmixing the stuffing to prevent dense, tough bites; gentle folding ensures a light, tender result.
- Storage Strategy: These stuffing bites can be prepared ahead and refrigerated, then reheated in the oven for a crispy exterior and warm center.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 154
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 280 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 37 mg