Why You’ll Love Donkey Balls Recipe
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It combines hearty breakfast sausage with creamy cheese and soft, flaky dough — the contrast of textures makes it satisfying.
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The roll-up concept means they’re easy to pick up and eat, making them ideal for shared plates or parties.
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Minimal ingredients and relatively quick to prepare, yet the result feels decadent and special.
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You can play with flavor variations (spicy sausage, different cheeses, dipping sauces) to tailor them to your taste.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
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Crescent roll dough (refrigerated tube)
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Cream cheese, softened
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Breakfast sausage (e.g., Jimmy Dean or similar)
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Onion (diced)
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Garlic powder
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(Optional) Dipping sauce such as maple syrup, BBQ sauce, or ranch
Directions
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Preheat your oven to 375 °F (190 °C).
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In a skillet over medium heat, cook the breakfast sausage, diced onion, and garlic powder until the sausage is browned and the onion is softened. Break the sausage into small pieces as it cooks.
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Drain off any excess grease and allow the mixture to cool slightly.
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In a bowl, mix the cooked sausage-onion mixture with the softened cream cheese until fully combined.
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Unroll the crescent dough and separate it into triangles. For smaller bites, cut each triangle in half.
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Place about a teaspoon of the sausage mixture onto each piece of dough. Wrap the dough around the filling, pinching or rolling to form a ball.
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Arrange the dough balls on a baking sheet, spaced about 1 inch apart.
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Bake for 11–14 minutes or until the dough is golden brown.
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Let cool for a few minutes and serve warm or at room temperature with your favorite dipping sauce.
Servings and timing
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Makes approximately 32 pieces
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Prep time: ~15 minutes
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Cook time: ~14 minutes
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Total time: ~30 minutes
Variations
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Spicy version: Use spicy breakfast sausage or add chopped jalapeños to the filling.
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Cheese twist: Mix in shredded cheddar or pepper jack for extra richness.
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Different dough: Use puff pastry or biscuit dough instead of crescent rolls.
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Sweet-savory: Drizzle with maple syrup or serve with a sweet chili dipping sauce.
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Vegetarian: Use plant-based sausage or seasoned tofu as a filling substitute.
Storage/Reheating
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Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
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Reheat in a preheated oven at 350 °F (175 °C) for 5–8 minutes until warmed through.
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Alternatively, reheat in a toaster oven or air fryer for a few minutes.
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Not ideal for freezing after baking, but you can assemble and freeze unbaked. Add 10–15 extra minutes to the bake time if baking from frozen.
FAQs
What type of sausage should I use?
Any ground breakfast sausage works well, especially pre-seasoned types like Jimmy Dean.
Do I have to add onion and garlic powder?
No, but they add great flavor. You can adjust or omit them based on your preferences.
Can these be made ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble them ahead and refrigerate or freeze before baking.
What is a good dipping sauce?
Try maple syrup, BBQ sauce, ranch dressing, honey mustard, or spicy chili sauce.
Are these good at room temperature?
Yes, they’re delicious warm or at room temp, making them great for parties.
Can I make them vegetarian or meat-free?
Absolutely — use a plant-based sausage or substitute with seasoned beans or tofu.
How do I keep the dough from getting soggy?
Drain excess grease from the sausage and bake until the dough is golden and crisp.
Can I add cheese inside?
Yes! Add shredded cheese like cheddar or pepper jack to the filling for extra flavor.
What size should the filling be?
About one teaspoon of filling per dough piece is ideal for proper wrapping and balance.
How many should I serve per person?
Plan on 6–8 pieces per person for appetizers or more if they’re the main snack.
Conclusion
Whether you stick to the classic version or get creative with spicy sausage, extra cheese, or a fun dipping sauce, Donkey Balls are a hit at any event. With their savory filling and flaky exterior, they’re easy to make, share, and enjoy — a quirky name, but a serious crowd-pleaser.
Donkey Balls
Donkey Balls are a fun, bite-sized treat made with peanut butter, powdered sugar, and graham cracker crumbs, dipped in melted chocolate for a rich and indulgent snack. Perfect for parties, gifting, or anytime you want a sweet and salty fix.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour (including chilling)
- Yield: 40 balls
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 2 cups creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 1/2 to 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 16 ounces chocolate candy coating or chocolate chips (for dipping)
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine peanut butter, softened butter, vanilla extract, graham cracker crumbs, and powdered sugar. Mix until a stiff dough forms.
- Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Chill the balls in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to firm up.
- Melt the chocolate coating or chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl or using a double boiler, stirring until smooth.
- Dip each ball into the melted chocolate using a fork or toothpick, allowing excess to drip off.
- Place the dipped balls back onto the parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Chill until the chocolate is set, about 15–20 minutes.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Notes
- Use crunchy peanut butter for added texture if desired.
- You can freeze the balls before dipping to make handling easier.
- Decorate with sprinkles or drizzle with white chocolate for a festive touch.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ball
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 70mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
