Description
Crunchy, cheesy Reuben Balls filled with beef pastrami, sauerkraut, and Swiss cheese—served with a spicy Thousand Island dipping sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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