Reuben Balls with Spicy Thousand Island Dipping Sauce Recipe
Crispy and flavorful Reuben Balls stuffed with a savory blend of corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and cream cheese, served with a spicy Thousand Island dipping sauce. Perfect as an appetizer or party snack, these fried bites capture the essence of a classic Reuben sandwich in a convenient and delicious ball form.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Reuben Balls
- 1 ½ cups chopped or shredded corned beef
- 1 cup sauerkraut, drained and squeezed dry
- 1 cup shredded Swiss cheese
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 ½ cups breadcrumbs (panko recommended)
- Vegetable oil, for frying
Spicy Thousand Island Dipping Sauce
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon pickle relish
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce (adjust to taste)
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
Instructions
- Prepare the Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine the corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, cream cheese, and Dijon mustard. Mix everything thoroughly until well combined. Place the mixture in the refrigerator and chill for 30 minutes to firm up for easier handling.
- Form the Balls: Using a scoop or your hands, portion out the chilled mixture into 1-inch portions and roll each into smooth balls. Arrange them on a lined baking sheet and refrigerate again to help maintain shape before breading.
- Bread the Balls: Set up a breading station with three shallow dishes: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with breadcrumbs. Roll each ball first in flour, then dip into the beaten eggs, and finally coat thoroughly with breadcrumbs. Make sure the coating is even for a crispy crust.
- Fry the Balls: Heat vegetable oil in a skillet or saucepan to 350°F (175°C). Fry the breaded balls in small batches for 2 to 3 minutes, turning occasionally to ensure they brown evenly on all sides. Remove and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
- Make the Dipping Sauce: In a separate bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, ketchup, pickle relish, hot sauce, and smoked paprika until smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning or hot sauce according to your preference.
- Serve: Arrange the Reuben Balls on a serving platter alongside the spicy Thousand Island dipping sauce. Serve warm and enjoy these bite-sized flavors!
Notes
- Ensure sauerkraut is well drained and squeezed dry to prevent soggy filling.
- If mixture is too soft to form balls, refrigerate longer or add a small amount of breadcrumbs to help bind.
- Use panko breadcrumbs for a crispier coating.
- Maintain oil temperature at 350°F to avoid greasy or undercooked balls.
- Adjust hot sauce in dipping sauce according to your spice tolerance.
- These balls can be baked at 400°F for 15-20 minutes as a lighter alternative, turning halfway through.
Keywords: Reuben Balls, Corned Beef Appetizer, Fried Appetizer, Spicy Thousand Island Sauce, Party Snack, Finger Food
