Name: Crispy Stuffing Balls with Herbs Recipe
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 50 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 0.5 cup diced onion; 0.5 cup diced celery; 0.5 cup chopped fresh parsley; 0.75 cup butter; 2 large eggs; 1.5 teaspoons salt; 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning; 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper; 0.5 cup chicken broth; 10 cups cubed whole wheat bread

If you’re on the hunt for a crowd-pleaser that brings crispy, herbaceous comfort right to your plate, then you’ll absolutely adore this Crispy Stuffing Balls with Herbs Recipe. It’s the ultimate twist on traditional stuffing—imagine golden, crunchy exteriors giving way to soft, flavorful centers packed with fresh herbs and savory goodness. I first fell in love with this recipe thanks to my Grandma Dot, whose secret was all about the perfect balance of texture and seasoning. Stick around because I’m about to share all my personal tips so your stuffing balls come out perfect every single time.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Irresistible Texture: Crispy on the outside and tender in the middle—a combo that guests rave about every time.
Herb-Forward Flavor: Fresh parsley mixed with classic poultry seasoning makes these balls bursting with savory, comforting notes.
Easy to Make: No fancy equipment needed—just simple ingredients you probably already have at home.
Perfect for Holidays or Weeknights: These stuffing balls fit seamlessly on your holiday table or as a snack anytime you crave something crunchy and warm.

A white plate holds eight round, golden-brown fried balls with a crispy, rough outside texture. The balls are placed loosely together in the center of the plate, which is set on a white marbled surface with a light gray cloth nearby. The fried balls have irregular shapes with small green and brown bits visible on the surface, showing a crunchy and textured look. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this Crispy Stuffing Balls with Herbs Recipe works in harmony to bring you that classic stuffing flavor, but with a twist of crispy delight. I recommend fresh parsley for that burst of color and brightness—it really lifts the whole dish.

Butter: This adds richness and helps soften the veggies while providing that comforting, buttery flavor.
Diced onion: Cooked until soft and fragrant, it forms part of the flavor base—don’t skip this step!
Diced celery: Adds a subtle crunch and freshness, balancing the soft bread.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors, but be mindful if your broth is salty.
Poultry seasoning: A classic herb blend that tricks your palate into thinking this is holiday stuffing heaven.
Ground black pepper: Provides a little zing and depth.
Chicken broth: Keeps the stuffing moist and adds savory notes; homemade is best but store-bought works fine.
Eggs: Bind everything together to hold those crispy balls in shape.
Cubed whole wheat bread: The hearty base for the stuffing balls; day-old bread works magic here since it’s slightly dried out and absorbs moisture perfectly.
Fresh parsley: Adds vibrancy and freshness that elevates the entire recipe.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

One of the things I love about this Crispy Stuffing Balls with Herbs Recipe is how versatile it is—you can tailor it to your taste, dietary needs, or whatever you have on hand in your kitchen. Don’t hesitate to get creative and make it your own.

Add Sausage: I once stirred in cooked breakfast sausage for an even heartier version, and my family went crazy for the meaty depth it added.
Vegetarian Option: Swap chicken broth for vegetable broth and omit any meat add-ins. The herbs still create plenty of flavor.
Different Herbs: Feel free to experiment with sage, thyme, or rosemary alongside or instead of parsley for a different herb aroma.
Cheesy Twist: Stir in some shredded sharp cheddar or Parmesan just before shaping for an extra indulgent touch.

How to Make Crispy Stuffing Balls with Herbs Recipe

Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics

Start by melting butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and celery, cooking and stirring for about 5 minutes until softened and fragrant. This step is crucial because those softened veggies infuse your stuffing balls with the base flavor that makes everyone ask for seconds. After that, stir in salt, poultry seasoning, and black pepper and cook another minute until those spices bloom beautifully—then take the skillet off the heat.

Step 2: Mix the Binding Ingredients

While the veggie mixture is cooking, whisk together chicken broth and eggs in a large bowl. I love doing this step while multitasking in the kitchen; it keeps the workflow smooth and efficient. The broth keeps the stuffing moist, and the eggs act as the glue that holds everything together when the balls bake.

Step 3: Combine with Bread and Herbs

Next, fold in the cubed whole wheat bread and chopped fresh parsley to the broth and egg mixture; this is when your stuffing starts coming alive. Then add the cooked onion and celery mixture, mixing gently but thoroughly so every bread cube is coated in that scrumptious flavor.

Step 4: Shape the Stuffing Balls

Use your hands to shape the mixture into 24 even, 2-inch balls. Pro tip: If the mixture feels too loose and isn’t holding together, give it a minute to rest—sometimes the bread just needs that extra moment to soak. Arranging the balls on a greased, foil-lined baking sheet makes cleanup a breeze.

Step 5: Bake to Crispy Perfection

Bake in a preheated 375°F (190°C) oven for 20 to 25 minutes until the outside is golden and crispy. I always keep a close eye toward the end because every oven’s heat differs; you want that perfect crunch without drying the inside. Serve warm and watch these crispy stuffing balls disappear fast!

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Pro Tips for Making Crispy Stuffing Balls with Herbs Recipe

Using Day-Old Bread: I discovered that slightly stale bread soaks flavors better without becoming mushy, giving the perfect stuffing texture.
Don’t Overmix: Gently folding the ingredients preserves the bread cubes’ shape inside the ball for great texture contrast.
Watch the Bake Time: Overbaking dries them out; so keep an eye from 20 mins onward for that golden crisp edge.
Grease or Use Foil: Foil-lined and well-greased trays mean your balls won’t stick and cleanup is a breeze—trust me, this saved me so many times!

How to Serve Crispy Stuffing Balls with Herbs Recipe

A metal baking tray lined with shiny silver foil holds 24 small round meatballs evenly spaced in a 4 by 6 grid. Each meatball is golden-brown with visible green herb pieces mixed in, showing a textured surface that looks slightly crispy in some spots. The tray is placed on a white marbled surface that has subtle gray veins. The light shines softly from above, highlighting the colors and textures of the meatballs. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I love topping these stuffing balls with a sprinkle of fresh parsley or a light drizzle of homemade gravy. It adds freshness and makes each bite feel a bit more festive without overpowering that crispy-herby goodness.

Side Dishes

These go perfectly alongside roasted turkey or baked chicken, but I also like serving them with a simple green salad or roasted root vegetables. Trust me, it’s a great way to round out a cozy meal with ease.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I’ve tried arranging these stuffing balls in a festive wreath shape on a large platter, garnished with sprigs of fresh rosemary and cranberries. It makes for a stunning centerpiece that guests can dig into. You can also serve them on skewers as an appetizer with dipping sauces like spicy aioli or cranberry chutney.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover stuffing balls keep wonderfully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When I’ve stored them overnight, I noticed the outsides soften a bit, but don’t worry—I’ll share how to fix that below.

Freezing

If I want to save time on busy days, I freeze these balls on a tray first, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag for up to a month. When you’re ready to enjoy, just bake directly from frozen—adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time restores their crispiness beautifully.

Reheating

To reheat leftover stuffing balls and keep that crave-worthy crunch, I pop them in a 350°F oven for 8 to 10 minutes instead of microwaving. The microwave makes them soggy, but the oven crisps them right back up, just like fresh out of the oven.

FAQs

Can I make these stuffing balls gluten-free?

Absolutely! Swap the whole wheat bread for a gluten-free bread option, preferably slightly toasted or day-old so it absorbs moisture well without turning mushy. Just be aware that gluten-free bread can be more delicate, so handle the mixture gently.
Can these stuffing balls be made ahead for a holiday meal?

Yes, you can prepare the mixture a day before, shape the balls, and store them covered in the fridge. When ready to serve, bake them fresh for that perfect crisp. This prep strategy helps reduce last-minute kitchen chaos.
Can I use dried herbs instead of fresh parsley?

You can, but fresh parsley really livens up the flavor and color. If using dried herbs, reduce the amount because dried herbs are more concentrated—usually about a third of the fresh amount works well.
What if my stuffing balls fall apart?

This usually means there isn’t enough binding from the eggs or the mixture is too dry. You can add a splash more broth or one more beaten egg to help hold them together better next time.

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how this Crispy Stuffing Balls with Herbs Recipe brings my family together around the table with something so simple yet special. The ease of making these, paired with their irresistible crunch and herb-packed flavor, makes them a staple in my holiday cooking—and honestly, any time we crave that classic stuffing vibe with a fun twist. Give it a try, and I bet this recipe will become one you reach for again and again, just like we do in my kitchen!