Reuben Balls with Spicy Sauce (Printable)
Savory corned beef and cheese bites served with a zesty, spicy dipping sauce perfect for gatherings.
# What You Need:
→ For the Reuben Balls
01 - 1 ½ cups cooked corned beef, finely chopped
02 - 1 cup sauerkraut, well-drained and chopped
03 - 1 cup Swiss cheese, shredded
04 - 4 oz cream cheese, softened
05 - 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
06 - ½ tsp black pepper
07 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
08 - 2 large eggs
09 - 1 ½ cups panko breadcrumbs
10 - Vegetable oil, for frying
→ For the Spicy Thousand Island Sauce
11 - ½ cup mayonnaise
12 - 2 tbsp ketchup
13 - 1 tbsp dill pickle relish
14 - 1 tsp prepared horseradish
15 - 1 tsp hot sauce
16 - ½ tsp smoked paprika
17 - ½ tsp garlic powder
18 - Salt and pepper, to taste
# Steps:
01 - Combine chopped corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, cream cheese, Dijon mustard, and black pepper in a large bowl. Mix until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
02 - Shape the mixture into 1-inch balls and arrange on a parchment-lined baking tray. Freeze for 20 minutes to firm the texture for easier handling.
03 - Arrange three shallow bowls: place flour in the first, beat eggs in the second, and pour panko breadcrumbs into the third.
04 - Dredge each chilled ball in flour, then dip into beaten egg, ensuring full coverage. Finally, coat completely with panko breadcrumbs, pressing gently to adhere.
05 - Pour vegetable oil to a depth of 2 inches in a deep skillet or saucepan. Heat to 350°F, monitoring temperature with a kitchen thermometer.
06 - Fry balls in batches, turning occasionally to ensure even browning. Cook for 2–3 minutes per batch until golden brown and crispy. Transfer to paper towels to drain excess oil.
07 - Whisk together mayonnaise, ketchup, pickle relish, horseradish, hot sauce, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until smooth and fully combined.
08 - Arrange warm Reuben balls on a serving platter alongside spicy Thousand Island sauce. Serve immediately while crispy.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Everything you love about a Reuben sandwich transformed into an irresistible finger food that guests cannot stop eating
- The spicy kick in the dipping sauce takes these from good to absolutely unforgettable
02 -
- Skip the chilling step and your balls will fall apart in the hot oil, which I learned the messy way
- Get your oil temperature right or the coating will either burn before cooking through or become greasy
03 -
- Use a small cookie scoop to get perfectly uniform sizes every single time
- The sauce actually gets better after sitting in the fridge for a day, so make it ahead