Reuben Balls with Spicy Thousand Island Dipping Sauce Recipe
These crispy Reuben Balls are a delightful appetizer that captures the classic flavors of a Reuben sandwich in a fun, bite-sized form. Made with corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and cream cheese, then breaded and fried to golden perfection, they’re served with a spicy Thousand Island dipping sauce that adds the perfect tangy kick.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes (including chilling)
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 20 Reuben Balls 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
For the 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
For the 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 corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, cream cheese, and Dijon mustard. Mix until well combined. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm up the mixture.
- Form the Balls: Scoop the chilled mixture into 1-inch portions and roll into balls with your hands. Place the balls on a lined baking sheet and refrigerate to set.
- Bread the Balls: Coat each ball first in all-purpose flour, then dip into the beaten eggs, and finally roll in breadcrumbs until fully coated to ensure a crisp crust.
- Fry the Balls: Heat vegetable oil in a skillet or saucepan to 350°F (175°C). Fry the balls in small batches for 2-3 minutes, turning occasionally until golden brown and crispy. Drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
- Make the Dipping Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, ketchup, pickle relish, hot sauce, and smoked paprika. Taste and adjust seasoning with more hot sauce or paprika if desired.
- Serve: Arrange the Reuben Balls on a platter alongside the spicy Thousand Island dipping sauce. Serve warm and enjoy this flavorful appetizer.
Notes
- For extra crunch, mix finely crushed rye crackers into the breadcrumbs.
- To reheat leftovers, bake in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 8-10 minutes.
- Freeze cooked Reuben Balls for up to 1 month; reheat in a 375°F (190°C) oven for 12-15 minutes.
- Add more hot sauce or smoked paprika to the dipping sauce for an extra kick of spice.
Keywords: Reuben Balls, appetizer, corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, fried appetizer, spicy Thousand Island sauce
