Deep Fried Cornbread Dressing Balls with Cranberry Dip are perfect for Sunday afternoon snacking and using up all the Thanksgiving leftovers.

What do you do with all that leftover stuffing or dressing after the big meal?  You turn them into a delicious appetizer for the weekend.

Cast Iron Cornbread

When you think of stuffing or dressing does your mouth start to water? Mine does because that means I am getting my mother in law’s cornbread dressing.

She makes dressing and not stuffing because we usually deep fry our turkey. Deep frying a turkey that is full of stuffing is not a good idea!!

So my mother in law makes the dressing in a casserole dish, but not just any dressing, she makes homemade cornbread dressing.

Most people use bread, leftover rolls, or the mix that comes in a bag, but Judy makes hers using cornbread and biscuits.

To get the cornbread dressing recipe started, she makes cast iron cornbread. Her old-fashioned cornbread mix poured into a screaming hot cast iron skillet and baked until golden brown. 

A cast iron skillet gives the cornbread a crispy crust and a fluffy texture.

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Ingredients Needed

Leftover cornbread dressing – Here is a great recipe for skillet cornbread!

Cheese – I like a sharp cheddar but use your favorite

Flour – I have only tested this recipe with all purpose flour.

Poultry seasoning – I like to use homemade but you can use a combo of oregano, thyme, and sage.

Panko – Use regular or gluten free.

Sour cream – Full fat, reduced fat, or fat free. You can also use Greek yogurt.

Cranberry sauce – Canned or leftover homemade will work.

Pantry staples – salt, pepper, eggs, milk, oil for frying

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How to make Leftover Cornbread Dressing Balls

FIRST: Combine the cornbread dressing and the cheese. Mix to combine. Scoop into 1.5 inch balls and roll in you hands to make them smooth.

SECOND: Combine flour, poultry seasoning, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Beat eggs and milk together in a second bowl. Add the Panko crumbs in a third bowl.

THIRD: Dredge each ball through the flour mixture and shake off any excess. Transfer each dressing ball to the egg mixture and evenly coat. Roll each ball in the Panko crumbs until evenly coated. Set each stuffing ball on a plate and allow to sit for a few minutes to allow the coating to stick.

FOURTH: Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 375F. Working batches of 4 or 5, carefully place the cornbread dressing balls in the oil and fry until all sides are golden brown. Remove to a paper-towel-lined plate to drain. Continue until all the dressing balls are fried. Keep in a 250F oven to keep warm until serving.

FIFTH: Combine equal parts sour cream and leftover cranberry sauce. Stir to combine. Serve with the fried cornbread dressing balls. Enjoy!

For the full recipe and detailed instructions, please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

How do you moisten leftover stuffing?

If your stuffing or dressing is too dry to stay in the ball shape, add some chicken stock until the dressing sticks together.

Is stuffing and dressing the same thing?

It’s stuffing if it’s going into the bird and dressing if it’s baked separately.

Can I use the stuffing from inside the turkey for leftovers?

Yes, because you are cooking it again. Just make sure the internal temperature comes to 165F.

The cornbread dressing isn’t the only thing you can use leftovers for, these fried cornbread dressing balls need something to dip into. 

Equal parts cranberry sauce and sour cream make the perfect pairing for the stuffing balls. You know you have some sour cream leftover from all the dips you made! 

And at least 2 of the kids didn’t eat their portion of cranberry sauce so you are all set!

These deep-fried cornbread dressing balls are an easy appetizer that uses up any leftovers you might have and are perfect for couch sitting and football watching on Saturday and Sunday.

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Are you dreaming of Thanksgiving leftovers already? Here are some recipes for leftover cornbread or other ingredients to look forward to before you even start cooking on the big day!

More Easy Appetizers

• Breakfast Casserole Bites
• Cranberry Salsa
• Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip
• Homemade French Fry Seasoning

Looking for other great THANKSGIVING LEFTOVER recipes to try?

turkey or ham recipe:

• Turkey Ala King
• Turkey Salad Sliders
• Roasted Turkey Tater Tot Casserole
• Turkey and Sweet Potato Risotto
• Ham and Potato Supreme
• Chicken/Turkey Tortilla Soup
• Easy Turkey Tetrazinni
• Turkey Pot Pie

recipes for leftover mashed potatoes:

• Mashed Potato Casserole
• Sweet Potato Bisque
• Southwest Potato Croquettes

leftover cranberry recipes:

• Roasted Cranberry Crostini
• Roasted Cranberry Bourbon Crush
• Sugared Cranberries
• Cranberry Orange Pound Cake
• Brie and Cranberry Puff Pastry

recipes for leftover pie or pie crust:

• Pie Crust Cookies with Whiskey Caramel Drizzle
• Pumpkin Spice Swirls
• Apple Pie Blizzard
• Pumpkin Pie Croissant Bundles
• Pumpkin Dip
• Pumpkin Spiced Coffee Cake
• Chocolate Pumpkin Wontons

nut recipes:

• Crispy Sugared Pecans
• Buttery Toasted Pecans

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