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Reuben Balls

Crispy Reuben Balls with Zesty Thousand Island Dip Delight

Delight in these crispy Reuben Balls, a crowd-pleasing snack packed with classic flavors and served with a zesty Thousand Island dip.
Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Chilling Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes
Servings: 4 balls
Course: Snacks
Cuisine: American
Calories: 320

Ingredients
  

For the Filling
  • 1 cup corned beef, chopped or pastrami
  • 1 cup sauerkraut, drained well-drained to avoid sogginess
  • 1 cup Swiss cheese, shredded or Gruyère or provolone
  • 4 oz cream cheese
  • 2 tbsp Dijon mustard or yellow mustard
  • 1 tsp garlic powder or fresh garlic, if preferred
  • 1 tsp onion powder or fresh onions, will add moisture
  • to taste salt
  • to taste pepper
For Coating
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour or gluten-free flour
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs or regular breadcrumbs
For Frying
  • 2 inches vegetable oil for frying
For the Dipping Sauce
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tbsp ketchup
  • 1 tbsp sweet pickle relish
  • to taste hot sauce
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tbsp minced onion season with salt and pepper to taste

Equipment

  • large mixing bowl
  • Cookie scoop
  • shallow bowls for dredging
  • deep fryer or heavy pot
  • Slotted spoon
  • Parchment paper

Method
 

Preparation
  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, cream cheese, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, and season with salt and pepper. Mix until fully combined and refrigerate for 30-45 minutes.
  2. Once chilled, shape the mixture into balls, about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter, and arrange on a parchment-lined sheet.
  3. Set up a dredging station with flour, beaten eggs, and panko breadcrumbs in separate shallow bowls.
  4. Coat each ball in flour, then dip in beaten egg, letting excess drip off, and finally coat with panko breadcrumbs, creating a crispy exterior.
  5. Heat vegetable oil in a deep pot or fryer to 350°F (175°C).
  6. Fry the breaded balls in batches for 2-3 minutes until golden brown, turning occasionally. Use a slotted spoon to remove and drain on paper towels.
  7. For the dipping sauce, whisk together mayonnaise, ketchup, pickle relish, hot sauce, smoked paprika, Worcestershire sauce, and minced onion in a bowl until smooth. Adjust seasoning to taste.
  8. Serve the crispy Reuben Balls hot with the Thousand Island dip.

Nutrition

Serving: 4ballsCalories: 320kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 16gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 75mgSodium: 600mgPotassium: 300mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 200mgIron: 3mg

Notes

Chill the filling before shaping for easier handling. Drain sauerkraut well to prevent sogginess. For extra crunch, double-coat the balls in egg and breadcrumbs before frying.

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