Reuben Balls with Spicy Thousand Island Dipping Sauce Recipe
These crispy and flavorful Reuben Balls combine chopped corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and cream cheese, breaded and fried to golden perfection. Paired with a zesty, spicy Thousand Island dipping sauce, they make an irresistible appetizer perfect for game day or parties.
- Author: Dana
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 20 Reuben Balls 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Halal
For the Reuben Balls:
- 1 cup corned beef, chopped
- ½ cup sauerkraut, drained and chopped
- ½ cup Swiss cheese, shredded
- ¼ cup cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup rye breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- Oil for frying (vegetable or canola), about 2 cups
For the Spicy Thousand Island Dipping Sauce:
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon hot sauce (adjust to taste)
- 1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish
- Mix the filling: In a medium bowl, combine chopped corned beef, drained sauerkraut, shredded Swiss cheese, and softened cream cheese. Mix thoroughly until well combined, then cover and chill the mixture for 30 minutes to firm up.
- Form the balls: Roll the chilled mixture into 1-inch diameter balls using your hands. Place the formed balls on a tray lined with parchment paper and freeze for 15 minutes to help them hold their shape before breading.
- Prepare the dredging stations: Set up three shallow bowls—one with all-purpose flour, one with a beaten egg, and one with rye breadcrumbs. This will create a coating that crisps nicely when fried.
- Coat the balls: Roll each ball first in flour, then dip into the beaten egg, and finally coat with rye breadcrumbs. Ensure each ball is evenly coated on all sides for a crispy crust.
- Fry the balls: Heat oil in a deep fryer or heavy-bottomed pot to 350°F (175°C). Fry the coated Reuben Balls in batches, avoiding overcrowding, for 2-3 minutes or until they turn golden brown and crispy on the outside. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
- Make the dipping sauce: In a small bowl, mix mayonnaise, ketchup, Dijon mustard, hot sauce, and sweet pickle relish until smooth. Cover and chill until ready to serve to enhance the flavors.
- Serve: Serve the hot, crispy Reuben Balls immediately with the chilled spicy Thousand Island dipping sauce for an irresistible appetizer experience.
Notes
- Freezing the balls before frying helps maintain their shape and prevents them from falling apart.
- Adjust the amount of hot sauce in the dipping sauce according to your spice preference.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute rye breadcrumbs and flour with gluten-free alternatives.
- Use a thermometer to ensure the oil temperature stays around 350°F for optimal frying results.
- Make the dipping sauce ahead of time to let the flavors meld.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 Reuben Balls with dipping sauce (about 90g)
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
Keywords: Reuben Balls, appetizer, corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, fried snacks, party food, spicy Thousand Island sauce