I’ll never forget the night I made these Reuben Balls with Spicy Thousand Island Dipping Sauce for the first time.
It was late February, cold outside, and I had leftover pastrami from my youngest’s lunchboxes—along with some kraut that had been waiting patiently in the fridge. The kids were begging for “snacks, not dinner,” and honestly, I wanted something crunchy that didn’t come from a bag. That’s when the Reuben sandwich memories from a New York deli trip came to mind.
I took everything I loved about that sandwich—minus the rye—and rolled it into a crispy bite of bliss. Add a bold dipping sauce? That sealed the deal. These are now on permanent weekend rotation.
What Are Reuben Balls?
Reuben Balls are a deep-fried twist on the iconic deli sandwich. They combine chopped pastrami or corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and cream cheese into one perfect bite-sized ball. After a quick chill, they’re coated in breadcrumbs and fried until golden and crisp.
They’re paired with a Spicy Thousand Island Dipping Sauce, made with mayo, ketchup, pickles, and a generous swirl of sriracha or hot sauce. The result? Tangy, creamy, and completely addictive.
Why You’ll Love These Reuben Balls
- Crispy outside, melty inside
- A fun twist on the classic Reuben sandwich
- Perfect for parties, game days, or leftover makeovers
- Pork-free and easily air-fried or baked
- That spicy dipping sauce? You’ll want it on everything
Tools You’ll Need
- Mixing bowls
- Sharp knife and cutting board
- Sheet pan
- Deep fryer, air fryer, or oven
- Slotted spoon or tongs
- Parchment paper
Ingredients
For the Reuben Balls:
- 1½ cups finely chopped beef pastrami or corned beef
- 1 cup sauerkraut, drained well
- ¾ cup shredded Swiss cheese
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 egg
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (plus more for coating)
- ½ cup flour
- Oil for frying (or spray for air fryer)
For the Spicy Thousand Island Sauce:
- ½ cup mayo
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 2 tbsp finely diced pickles or relish
- 1–2 tsp sriracha or hot sauce (to taste)
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
- ¼ tsp paprika
- Salt to taste
How to Make Reuben Balls with Spicy Thousand Island Sauce
Step 1: Make the Filling
In a large bowl, mix chopped pastrami, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, cream cheese, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until combined.
Step 2: Shape and Chill
Roll the mixture into 1–1.5 inch balls and place them on a parchment-lined tray. Chill in the fridge for 30 minutes to firm up.
Step 3: Bread the Balls
Set up a dredging station: flour, beaten egg, and breadcrumbs. Coat each ball in flour, then egg, then breadcrumbs. For extra crunch, repeat the egg and breadcrumb step.
Step 4: Cook
To Fry: Heat oil to 350°F. Fry in batches for 3–4 minutes until golden.
To Air-Fry: Spray balls with oil and cook at 375°F for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway.
To Bake: Bake at 400°F for 15–18 minutes until crisp.
Step 5: Make the Sauce
In a bowl, stir together mayo, ketchup, pickles, sriracha, vinegar, and paprika. Taste and adjust heat as needed.
Top Tips for Perfect Reuben Balls
- Dry your sauerkraut thoroughly—excess moisture breaks the filling.
- Use cold hands when rolling to keep everything together.
- Double-bread for an extra crunchy crust.
- Make ahead and fry just before serving.
Storing and Reheating Tips
To store: Refrigerate cooked balls in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
To freeze: Freeze uncooked balls on a sheet pan, then transfer to a freezer bag.
To reheat: Air fry or bake at 375°F for 8–10 minutes.
FAQs About Reuben Balls
What meat works best for Reuben Balls?
Chopped beef pastrami or corned beef gives the classic flavor. Use deli meat or leftover brisket.
Can I bake or air-fry instead of deep-frying?
Yes! Both methods work well. Just spray lightly with oil and cook until golden.
What makes the dipping sauce spicy?
Sriracha or hot sauce is added to the Thousand Island base for a kick you can dial up or down.
Can I make them in advance?
Definitely. Prep the mixture and shape the balls a day ahead. Bread and fry right before serving.
Conclusion: The Perfect Party Bite
Whether it’s game night, a holiday spread, or just a cozy weekend, Reuben Balls bring the perfect balance of nostalgic comfort and crispy indulgence. They’re fun to eat, even more fun to dip, and totally irresistible.
Just be warned: once you serve them, they disappear faster than you can say “just one more.”
Print
Reuben Balls
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 24 balls 1x
Description
Crunchy, cheesy Reuben Balls filled with beef pastrami, sauerkraut, and Swiss cheese—served with a spicy Thousand Island dipping sauce.
Ingredients
- 1½ cups finely chopped beef pastrami or corned beef
- 1 cup sauerkraut, well drained
- ¾ cup shredded Swiss cheese
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 egg
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (plus more for coating)
- ½ cup flour
- Oil for frying (or spray for air fryer)
- ½ cup mayo
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 2 tbsp finely diced pickles or relish
- 1–2 tsp sriracha or hot sauce
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
- ¼ tsp paprika
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine chopped pastrami, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, cream cheese, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Roll into 1–1.5 inch balls. Chill on parchment-lined tray for 30 minutes.
- Set up dredging station with flour, beaten egg, and breadcrumbs. Coat each ball.
- For frying: heat oil to 350°F, fry for 3–4 minutes until golden. For air fryer: cook at 375°F for 10–12 minutes. For oven: bake at 400°F for 15–18 minutes.
- To make the sauce, stir together mayo, ketchup, pickles, sriracha, vinegar, paprika, and salt.
- Serve Reuben Balls hot with spicy Thousand Island dipping sauce.
Notes
Dry sauerkraut thoroughly to avoid soggy filling. You can make and freeze the balls ahead of time. Adjust sriracha to control heat.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Fried or Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 balls
- Calories: 185
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 410mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 11g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 28mg
Keywords: reuben balls, crispy appetizers, beef pastrami balls, spicy thousand island sauce, party snack
