crispy boudin balls appetizer

Section: Fast and Simple Recipes for Busy Days

Boudin balls are savory Cajun snacks made from pork sausage and rice, hand-formed, breaded, and fried until golden brown. Popular in Louisiana cuisine, they're served hot with a zesty mustard or remoulade sauce. The mixture is shaped into balls, coated in flour, egg wash, and breadcrumbs, then fried to crispy perfection. You can also bake them if preferred. Prep tips include refrigerating before frying and squeezing out excess moisture. Great for entertaining or enjoying as a quick meal, they’re flavorful, crunchy, and full of Cajun spice.

A woman wearing a chef's hat and apron.
Recipe Author Maria
Updated as of Sat, 28 Jun 2025 20:24:00 GMT
A plate of boudin balls with a dipping sauce. Bookmark
A plate of boudin balls with a dipping sauce. | foodbymary.com

This easy boudin balls recipe is the perfect appetizer, with Cajun boudin sausage hand formed, breaded and fried until golden. Make a batch tonight! Great for parties, game day, or snacking.

We're cooking up a delicious batch of Boudin Balls in the Chili Pepper Madness kitchen, my friends. Care for some?

Boudin balls are basically savory fried appetizer balls filled with meat and rice, and I love them.

If you've never tried one, get ready to fall in love with them.

What are Boudin Balls?

Boudin balls are made from Cajun boudin sausage, which is a mixture of ground pork and rice, along with seasonings. The sausage is removed from its casing, formed into balls, then coated and fried until golden brown.

Boudin sausage is a staple in Louisiana cooking.

Cooks enjoy it grilled, sliced and served on crackers, and mixed in with anything from gumbos and etouffees to po' boys and classics like jambalaya.

Boudin balls are one of the most popular ways of serving them up, and they make for a big hit in party situations.

Serve them up with a classic remoulade sauce, or a very simple Creole-style mustard cream sauce for dipping, which I will show you how to make. It is so easy.

Let's get cooking!

Let's talk about how to make boudin balls, shall we?

Boudin Balls Ingredients

  • For the Creole Mustard Dipping Sauce: Sour Cream or crema, Spicy Mustard, Lemon Juice, Creole Seasoning or Cajun seasoning, Garlic Powder, Salt and Black Pepper
  • For the Boudin Balls: Cajun-Style Boudin Sausage, Cajun Seasonings, Flour, Eggs, Buttermilk, Hot Sauce, Bread Crumbs, Vegetable Oil for frying

How to Make Boudin Balls - the Recipe Method

Heat oil:
Heat the oil in a large wide pot over medium-high heat to 350 degrees F/176 C. Use a droplet of batter or flour to test. Do not bring oil to a boil.
Prepare sausage:
Remove boudin sausage links from casings and crumble. Mix with extra Cajun seasonings if desired.
Form balls:
Shape mixture into 1 1/2-inch balls. Adjust moisture as needed. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm.
Prepare coatings:
Fill bowls with flour, beaten eggs mixed with milk, hot sauce and salt, and breadcrumbs.
Coat balls:
Roll each ball in flour, then egg wash, then breadcrumbs.
Fry balls:
Fry in hot oil until golden brown, working in batches. Flip if oil does not cover completely. Drain on paper towels.
Serve:
Serve with Creole mustard sauce or remoulade. Garnish with herbs or green onion and chili flakes.
A plate of boudin balls with a fork in the middle. Bookmark
A plate of boudin balls with a fork in the middle. | foodbymary.com

Storage and Reheating Leftovers

Store any leftover boudin balls in the refrigerator in a sealed container. They will last up to 5 days. To enjoy them again, gently warm them in the oven at 300 degrees F for 15-20 minutes, or until warmed through.

A plate of boudin balls. Bookmark
A plate of boudin balls. | foodbymary.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What are boudin balls made of?

Boudin balls are made from Cajun boudin sausage, typically a mix of ground pork, rice, and spices, rolled into balls and fried.

→ Can I bake boudin balls instead of frying?

Yes, you can bake them at 400°F (204°C) for about 20 minutes until golden brown as a healthier option.

→ Do I need a binder for the balls to hold together?

Not always. The rice content usually helps them hold shape, but you can add egg or breadcrumbs if needed.

→ How do I keep boudin balls from falling apart?

Refrigerate them for 30 minutes before frying and squeeze out any excess moisture from the sausage mix.

→ What sauce pairs well with boudin balls?

Creole mustard sauce or a classic remoulade are great options for dipping boudin balls.

→ How do I store and reheat leftovers?

Store them in the fridge for up to 5 days and reheat in the oven at 300°F for 15–20 minutes until warmed through.

boudin balls cajun snack

Crispy boudin balls made with pork and rice, golden fried with creamy dipping sauce.

Prep Time
20 minutes
Cooking Time
15 minutes
Overall Time
35 minutes
Recipe Author: Maria

Dish Category: Quick & Easy

Recipe Difficulty: Beginner-Friendly

Cuisine: Cajun

Serves: 8 Serving Size (16 boudin balls)

Dietary Options: ~

What You’ll Need to Cook

→ Boudin Balls

Ingredient 01 1 lb Cajun-style boudin sausage
Ingredient 02 1 tsp Cajun seasoning, optional
Ingredient 03 1 cup all-purpose flour
Ingredient 04 2 large eggs, beaten
Ingredient 05 1/2 cup buttermilk
Ingredient 06 1 tsp hot sauce
Ingredient 07 1/2 tsp salt
Ingredient 08 1 1/2 cups breadcrumbs
Ingredient 09 Vegetable oil, for frying

→ Creole Mustard Dipping Sauce

Ingredient 10 1/2 cup sour cream or crema
Ingredient 11 1 tbsp spicy mustard
Ingredient 12 1 tsp lemon juice
Ingredient 13 1/2 tsp Creole or Cajun seasoning
Ingredient 14 1/4 tsp garlic powder
Ingredient 15 Salt and black pepper, to taste

Steps to Prepare

Step 01

Heat vegetable oil in a large pot over medium-high heat to 350°F (176°C). Use a batter drop to test readiness; do not let oil boil.


A plate of boudin balls with a fork in the middle.
Step 02

Remove boudin sausage from casings and crumble into a bowl. Add Cajun seasoning if desired and mix.

Step 03

Shape the mixture into 1 1/2-inch balls. If too moist, squeeze out excess liquid; if dry, add a bit of water. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm up.

Step 04

Set up three bowls: one with flour, one with beaten eggs mixed with buttermilk, hot sauce, and salt, and one with breadcrumbs.

Step 05

Roll each boudin ball first in flour, then in egg wash, and finally in breadcrumbs, ensuring even coating on all sides.

Step 06

Fry balls in hot oil in batches until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes. Turn halfway if oil does not fully cover them. Drain on paper towels.


A plate of boudin balls.
Step 07

Whisk together sour cream, mustard, lemon juice, Creole seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Refrigerate until serving.

Step 08

Serve fried boudin balls hot with Creole mustard sauce or remoulade, garnished with fresh herbs or green onions if desired.

Extra Cooking Tips

  1. Refrigerating or freezing boudin balls before coating helps them hold their shape during frying.
  2. To bake instead of frying, arrange coated balls on a lined baking sheet and bake at 400°F (204°C) for 20 minutes until golden.
  3. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days; reheat gently in the oven at 300°F for 15-20 minutes.
  4. Rice in the boudin acts as a natural binder, so additional binders are optional.

Must-Have Tools

  • Large heavy-bottomed pot or deep fryer
  • Mixing bowls
  • Slotted spoon or frying basket
  • Paper towels

Allergen Information

Always check ingredient labels for allergens and seek expert advice if uncertain.
  • Contains eggs, dairy, and gluten.