Description

These Reuben Balls with Spicy Thousand Island Dipping Sauce are a delicious twist on the classic Reuben sandwich, combining savory corned beef, tangy sauerkraut, and melted Swiss cheese into crispy, bite-sized fried balls. Paired with a zesty and creamy spicy Thousand Island sauce, they make a flavorful appetizer or snack perfect for parties and gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Reuben Balls:

1 ½ cups cooked corned beef, finely chopped
1 cup sauerkraut, drained and chopped
1 cup shredded Swiss cheese
4 oz cream cheese, softened
½ teaspoon garlic powder
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 large eggs, beaten
1 ½ cups seasoned breadcrumbs
Oil for frying

For the Spicy Thousand Island Sauce:

½ cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons ketchup
1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish
1 teaspoon hot sauce, adjust to taste
½ teaspoon paprika

Instructions

Make the Reuben Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine the finely chopped corned beef, drained and chopped sauerkraut, shredded Swiss cheese, softened cream cheese, and garlic powder. Mix everything thoroughly until well combined to create a uniform filling.
Shape and Chill: Roll the mixture into 1-inch balls, ensuring they are compact and evenly sized. Place these balls on a parchment-lined tray and freeze them for 20–30 minutes to help firm them up, which will make breading and frying easier.
Bread the Balls: Prepare a breading station with separate dishes of flour, beaten eggs, and seasoned breadcrumbs. Coat each chilled ball first in flour, then dip into the beaten eggs, and finally roll in the seasoned breadcrumbs. For a thicker, crunchier crust, repeat the egg and breadcrumb coating steps once more.
Fry: Heat oil in a deep fryer or heavy pan to 350°F (175°C). Fry the breaded balls in batches for 3 to 5 minutes, or until they turn a beautiful golden brown and crisp. Remove the balls with a slotted spoon and drain them on paper towels to remove excess oil.
Make the Dipping Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, ketchup, sweet pickle relish, hot sauce, and paprika until smooth and well combined. Chill the sauce until ready to serve alongside the Reuben Balls for dipping.

Notes

Ensure the corned beef is finely chopped to help the balls hold together better.
Freezing the balls before breading helps prevent them from falling apart during frying.
You can adjust the amount of hot sauce in the dipping sauce to suit your preferred spice level.
Drain the fried balls well on paper towels to avoid sogginess.
Serve the Reuben Balls immediately for the best crunchy texture.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Appetizer
Method: Frying
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Reuben Balls, appetizer, corned beef appetizer, fried snacks, spicy thousand island sauce, party food, finger food