The Ultimate Guide to Keeping Sausage Balls from Burning on the Bottom

We’ve all been there – you carefully shape and arrange delicious sausage balls on a baking sheet, pop them in the oven, and a few minutes later you pull out a tray of blackened hockey pucks The dreaded burnt bottom strikes again!

But don’t despair. With a few simple tips and tricks, you can make sure your sausage balls come out evenly baked from top to bottom every time. In this article, I’ll share everything I’ve learned over the years about how to keep sausage balls from burning on the bottom.

Use Parchment Paper or a Silicone Mat

The number one thing you can do to prevent burning on the bottom is to line your baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat like Silpat. This creates a protective barrier between the sausage balls and the hot metal pan so the bottoms don’t overcook.

Parchment paper is easy to find at any grocery store, while silicone mats can be purchased at kitchen supply stores or online. I prefer the mats because they are reusable and provide a non-stick surface. Just be sure to grease or spray the mat lightly before adding the sausage balls.

Choose a Light Colored Pan

Another tip is to bake your sausage balls on a light colored baking sheet rather than a dark nonstick pan. Light sheets will reflect the heat rather than absorbing it like darker pans. This will help prevent over-browning on the bottom.

Look for baking sheets made of aluminum or shiny steel. I love using aluminum half-sheet pans lined with parchment paper when baking sausage balls The light color and excellent heat conductivity helps ensure even cooking

Check Early and Often

When baking sausage balls, don’t just set a timer and walk away. You’ll need to keep an eye on them and check them frequently as they cook. This allows you to catch any over-browning early on before it gets out of control.

I recommend checking the bottoms at least every 5 minutes once they go in the oven. Gently lift a few sausage balls using a spatula to peek at the underside. If they are browning too fast, you may need to lower the oven temperature by 25 degrees F.

Follow Recipe Instructions Carefully

Be sure to carefully follow sausage ball recipe instructions for baking temperature and time. If you bake them at too high of heat or for too long, it’s easy to end up with burned bottoms.

Most recipes call for baking at 350-375 degrees F for 15-20 minutes. Start checking at around 10-12 minutes for doneness. Adjust temperature and time as needed based on what you observe.

Use Moderately Thick Sausage Balls

The thickness of your sausage balls will impact how quickly the bottoms brown. Thinner balls are more prone to overcooking while thicker ones take longer to bake through.

Aim for around 1-1.5 inches thick. This allows time for the inside to cook before the bottom burns. Avoid making your sausage balls thinner than 1 inch.

Don’t Overcrowd the Pan

When shaping and arranging sausage balls on the baking sheet, be sure not to overcrowd them. Having them too close together can cause them to cook unevenly and lead to burning on the bottom.

Leave at least 1 inch of space between sausage balls to allow proper air circulation. Only place as many as can fit without touching on each pan. You may need to use multiple pans and bake in batches to avoid crowding.

Brush Bottoms Lightly with Egg Wash

For extra insurance against burning, you can give the bottoms of the raw sausage balls a quick brush with an egg wash before baking. Simply beat one egg with 1-2 tablespoons of water or milk. Lightly coat the underside of each ball with the egg mixture using a pastry brush.

The small amount of fat and protein creates a protective layer that will help prevent over-browning. Just avoid overdoing it or the wash may pool and burn.

Let the Pan Preheat

Be sure to allow your baking sheet to fully preheat before adding the sausage balls. Dropping them onto a cold pan can lead to uneven cooking.

Place your prepared baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat in the oven as it preheats. Let it heat up for at least 5 minutes once at temperature before adding the sausage balls.

Choose the Right Sausage

The type of sausage you use can also impact how quickly the bottoms brown. Fattier sausages like pork breakfast sausage are more prone to burning versus leaner turkey or chicken sausage.

I suggest using 85% lean ground turkey or chicken sausage if you are concerned about burning. The lower fat content helps prevent grease from pooling under the balls as they cook.

Add Binding Agents

Adding some extra binding and moistening ingredients to your sausage balls can create a protective buffer between the bottoms and the hot pan. Try adding an extra egg or some panko breadcrumbs to help keep bottoms moist and intact.

Bake on a Rack

For the most foolproof method, you can bake sausage balls on a wire cooling rack placed inside a baking sheet. The elevated rack allows air circulation under the balls rather than direct pan contact.

Spray the rack with nonstick spray first. Place the balls on top, spacing them evenly. The rack should sit inside a baking sheet to catch any drips.

Watch the Temperature

If your sausage balls are burning on the bottom no matter what, your oven may run hot. Get an oven thermometer to check the temperature. If it’s off, adjust the setting accordingly to ensure you’re baking at the proper temp.

Preheat your oven for at least 15 minutes before use to allow it to reach the desired temperature. Opening the door frequently can also impact the temperature.

Let Them Rest

Once your sausage balls come out of the oven, resist the urge to dive in right away. Let them rest on the pan for at least 5 minutes before serving.

This allows the insides to finish cooking gently without the bottom browning more. The rest also helps them firm up so they hold together better.

With these handy tips and tricks, you’ll be able to bake sausage balls to perfection with deliciously browned tops and bottoms every time. No more blackened hockey pucks! Just be sure to line your pans, watch them closely, and make any needed adjustments.