Table of Contents

• Why You’ll Love These Ham Meatballs
• Essential Ingredients for Perfect Ham Balls
• Step-by-Step: How to Make Ham Balls
• Expert Recipe Notes and Tips
• Serving Suggestions for Any Occasion
• Storing, Reheating, and Freezing Leftovers
• Frequently Asked Questions About Ham Balls
• More Delicious Party Appetizers
• Ham Balls Recipe Card

Why You’ll Love These Ham Meatballs

There’s a reason these ham balls disappear so quickly at every event. They offer a unique blend of flavors and textures that make them utterly irresistible. Here’s why this recipe will become a new favorite in your kitchen:

• Two Irresistible Sauce Options: Whether you crave a bright, sweet, and tangy profile or a rich, savory, and slightly sweet experience, this recipe has you covered. The sweet pineapple glaze offers a burst of tropical flavor, while the savory tomato sauce provides a classic, comforting taste. You don’t have to pick just one – you can even make a double batch and offer both!
• Bursting with Flavor: Despite using readily available pantry staples, these ham balls pack a serious flavor punch. The combination of cooked ham and tender ground pork ensures a wonderfully juicy texture, while ingredients like brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and mustard in the sauces create a perfect balance of sweetness and tang that will tantalize your taste buds. Every bite is a harmonious blend of salty, sweet, and savory.
• Effortless Party Perfection: Designed with entertaining in mind, these ham balls are incredibly easy to prepare, making them an ideal appetizer for any party, potluck, holiday, or game day. With minimal prep time – often just minutes in the food processor – you can have these meatballs ready for the oven, freeing you up to focus on other party preparations or simply relax and enjoy your guests. Their bite-sized nature also makes them perfect for serving with cocktail skewers.
• A Fantastic Way to Use Leftover Ham: Have leftover ham from a holiday dinner? This recipe is the perfect solution! It ingeniously transforms cooked ham into a delicious new dish, giving it a second life that’s far from boring.

Essential Ingredients for Perfect Ham Balls

Creating these delectable ham balls requires only a handful of common ingredients. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need for both the meatballs and their accompanying sauces, along with some helpful tips and potential substitutions. For the precise measurements and complete instructions, please refer to the printable recipe card located further down the page.

For the Ham Balls:

• Cooked Ham: The star of the show! Diced cooked ham is essential. This recipe is an excellent and flavorful way to utilize any leftover baked ham you might have from holidays or special occasions. If you don’t have leftovers, pre-cooked ham from the deli or grocery store works perfectly. Opt for a good quality ham for the best flavor.
• Ground Pork: This adds moisture, richness, and binds the ham balls together beautifully. Using ground pork alongside the ham ensures the meatballs are incredibly juicy and tender. For a slight twist, you could experiment with spicy Italian sausage (removed from its casing) to introduce a different flavor profile and a hint of heat.
• Eggs: Our primary binding agent. Eggs help hold the meatball mixture together, preventing them from crumbling during baking and giving them a cohesive texture.
• Breadcrumbs: These also act as a binder, absorbing moisture and contributing to the tender texture of the ham balls. You can use seasoned Italian breadcrumbs for an extra layer of flavor or unseasoned plain breadcrumbs, allowing the ham and sauce flavors to shine through. Panko breadcrumbs also work for a slightly lighter texture.
• Seasoning (Ground Black Pepper): We keep it simple with freshly ground black pepper. Generally, additional salt isn’t needed as cooked ham is often quite salty. However, feel Preheateel free to adjust to your taste. If you’re feeling adventurous, consider incorporating other seasonings like a pinch of dried thyme, a dash of onion powder, or even a homemade blend like Italian seasoning or a versatile pork chop seasoning for a unique twist.

For the Sauce(s) – Sweet or Savory!

This recipe thoughtfully provides two distinct and equally delicious sauce options, catering to different palates. Both are classic Midwestern choices and share some fundamental ingredients, creating a balanced flavor profile. You can’t go wrong with either a sweet and tangy pineapple sauce or a comforting, savory tomato-based sauce.

• Brown Sugar: A key ingredient in both sauces, brown sugar provides essential sweetness and a lovely molasses undertone. You can use either light or dark brown sugar depending on your preference for a deeper, richer sweetness.
• Crushed Pineapple (for Sweet Sauce) or Condensed Tomato Soup (for Savory Sauce):
  • For the Sweet Pineapple Sauce (pictured): You’ll need a can of crushed pineapple, and importantly, do **not** drain the juices. The pineapple and its natural sugars create a bright, fruity, and tangy glaze that beautifully complements the ham.
  • For the Savory Tomato Sauce: If you prefer a more classic, savory approach, you’ll swap the crushed pineapple for a can of condensed tomato soup. This forms the base for a rich, comforting, and slightly sweet tomato glaze.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: This ingredient is crucial for adding a delightful tang and balancing the sweetness in both sauces. It brightens the flavors and prevents the sauces from being overly cloying. If you don’t have apple cider vinegar, white vinegar or red wine vinegar can be used as a substitute, though apple cider vinegar offers the most traditional taste.
• Mustard: Yellow mustard is our go-to for its mild acidity and slight pungency, which rounds out the flavor profile of both sauces. However, you can certainly use brown mustard or Dijon mustard if that’s what you have on hand, keeping in mind they will impart a slightly stronger and sharper flavor.

Step-by-Step: How to Make Ham Balls

One of the best aspects of this recipe is how incredibly quick and easy it is to prepare. You can have these ham balls mixed, perfectly portioned, and baking in the oven in roughly 10 minutes, leaving you ample time to prepare other dishes or simply enjoy your pre-party calm. Follow these straightforward steps for a delicious outcome. **Remember, the full, printable instructions with precise measurements are conveniently located in the recipe card below.**

Expert Recipe Notes and Tips

To ensure your ham balls turn out perfectly every time, keep these expert tips and variations in mind:

• Avoid Over-processing the Meat Mixture: This is a crucial tip! When using the food processor, pulse the ham until it’s finely minced, then add the other meatball ingredients and pulse *just* until combined. Overworking the meat can result in a dense, tough texture, or worse, a “ham puree” which is not what we’re aiming for. A light touch ensures tender, juicy ham balls.
• Spice It Up: If you love a little heat, it’s easy to add a spicy kick to your ham balls. Incorporate a pinch of cayenne pepper, a few chili flakes, or a teaspoon of homemade Cajun seasoning directly into the meatball mixture before shaping. Adjust the amount to your preferred level of spice.
• Alternative Sauce Ideas: While our two traditional sauces are fantastic, feel free to get creative! Instead of the tomato soup-based savory sauce, you could use a good quality jarred marinara sauce, similar to what’s used in Instant Pot Meatballs. Other options include a sweet and sour sauce, a bourbon glaze, or even a simple BBQ sauce for a different flavor profile. The key is to choose a sauce that complements the richness of the ham and pork.
• Uniform Size for Even Cooking: As mentioned in the instructions, using a cookie scoop helps ensure all your ham balls are roughly the same size. This consistency is important for even baking, preventing some from being overcooked while others are still underdone.
• Don’t Crowd the Pan: While it might be tempting to pack all your ham balls tightly into one dish, giving them a little space allows for better air circulation. This helps them brown beautifully and cook more evenly, resulting in a superior texture. If necessary, use two smaller baking dishes instead of one large, overly crowded one.

Serving Suggestions for Any Occasion

These ham balls are incredibly versatile and perfect for a variety of occasions. They are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser and make fantastic Super Bowl food or an elegant addition to a holiday spread. Here are some ideas for how to serve them and what to pair them with:

• Classic Appetizer Style: Serve them directly from the baking dish, allowing guests to use cocktail skewers to pick up individual ham balls. The sauce in the dish will act as a warm, inviting glaze. Provide plenty of napkins!
• Alongside Other Favorites: Round out your appetizer spread with a variety of complementary dishes. Consider pairing them with savory options like Sheet Pan Chicken Nachos, crispy Air Fryer Potato Skins, or easy Crescent Roll Pizza. For a fun snack mix, Party Mix is always a hit.
• Beverage Pairings: For adult gatherings, a refreshing Beer Margarita or a crisp, light beer would complement both the sweet and savory ham balls beautifully. Non-alcoholic options like sparkling cider or lemonade also work well.
• As a Main Course: While typically an appetizer, ham balls can easily be scaled up for a casual family dinner. Serve them over rice, mashed potatoes, or egg noodles to soak up all that delicious sauce. Add a simple green salad or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
• Garnish Ideas: A sprinkle of fresh parsley or chives adds a pop of color and freshness. For the pineapple sauce, a tiny sprig of fresh mint or a few pineapple chunks could be a nice touch.
• Sweet Endings: After a delicious savory spread, offer themed desserts like fun Football Cupcakes for game day, or a fruit tart for a more elegant affair.

Storing, Reheating, and Freezing Leftovers

One of the best things about these ham balls is how well they store and reheat, making them perfect for meal prep or enjoying delicious leftovers. Here’s how to handle them:

• Refrigerate: Any leftover ham balls, along with their delicious sauce, can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Ensure they cool completely before covering and refrigerating to maintain freshness and prevent condensation.
• Reheat: To reheat, you have a couple of easy options. For a larger batch, warm the ham balls and sauce in a 350ºF (175ºC) oven for 15-20 minutes, or until they are heated through and the sauce is bubbling. For smaller portions, the microwave works well; heat in 30-60 second intervals, stirring occasionally, until hot. You might want to add a splash of water or broth if the sauce has thickened too much in the fridge.
• Freeze for Longer Storage: These baked ham balls freeze exceptionally well, making them ideal for future meals or unexpected guests.
  • Pre-freeze: For best results, I recommend flash-freezing them first. Arrange the cooled, baked ham balls (without sauce, or with minimal sauce clinging to them) in a single layer on a baking sheet. Place the baking sheet in the freezer for 2-3 hours, or until the meatballs are solid. This prevents them from sticking together.
  • Store: Once flash-frozen, transfer the solid ham balls to a freezer-safe bag or an airtight freezer-safe container. If freezing with sauce, ensure the container is freezer-safe and leaves a little headspace for expansion. Label with the date.
  • Duration: Keep them frozen for up to 3 months for optimal quality.
  • Thaw and Reheat: When you’re ready to enjoy them, thaw the frozen ham balls in the refrigerator overnight. Once thawed, reheat them using the oven or microwave methods described above.
• Freezing Unbaked Ham Balls: You can also prepare the meatball mixture, shape the balls, and then freeze them unbaked. Flash-freeze as described above, then transfer to a freezer bag. When ready to bake, thaw in the fridge, then arrange in a baking dish, cover with your chosen sauce, and bake as per the recipe instructions, potentially adding 5-10 minutes to the baking time to ensure they cook through.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ham Balls

Here are some common questions you might have about making and enjoying these delicious ham balls:

• What kind of ham should I use? You can use any fully cooked ham. Leftover holiday ham (like a baked spiral ham) is perfect. If you don’t have leftovers, store-bought pre-cooked ham, like a small ham steak or a piece of deli ham (ensure it’s thick cut), works well. Avoid thinly sliced deli ham as it can be difficult to mince properly.
• Can I make these ham balls ahead of time? Absolutely! The ham ball mixture can be prepared and shaped a day in advance and stored covered in the refrigerator. You can also mix the sauce separately and store it. Combine and bake just before serving for the freshest taste. Baked ham balls also keep well and can be reheated (see “Storing & Reheating” section).
• Can I use different ground meat instead of pork? Ground pork adds excellent flavor and moisture, making it ideal. However, if you prefer, you could try using ground turkey or ground chicken, or even a lean ground beef, but be aware that these may result in a slightly drier ham ball. You might need to add a bit more moisture (like a tablespoon of milk or broth) to the mixture if using leaner meats.
• How can I ensure my ham balls are juicy and not dry? The combination of ground pork and ham, along with the eggs and breadcrumbs, helps keep these ham balls wonderfully moist. The key is not to over-process the meat mixture in the food processor and avoid over-baking them. The sauce also contributes significantly to their juiciness.
• Is it necessary to use a food processor? While a food processor makes mincing the ham and combining the ingredients incredibly quick and easy, it’s not strictly necessary. You can finely dice the cooked ham by hand and then thoroughly mix all ingredients in a large bowl. Just be sure to really mince the ham small!
• Can I double the recipe? Yes, this recipe doubles (or even triples) beautifully, making it perfect for large gatherings. Just ensure you have a large enough baking dish (or multiple dishes) to accommodate all the ham balls without overcrowding. You may need to slightly extend the baking time.

More Delicious Party Appetizers

Looking for more fantastic recipes to complete your party spread? Here are some other delightful appetizers from our kitchen that are sure to be a hit:

• Braunschweiger Dip – A creamy, flavorful dip that’s surprisingly addictive.
• French Bread Pizza – Easy, customizable, and always a family favorite.
• Air Fryer Meatballs – Quick to make and perfectly crispy.
• Cheesy Artichoke Dip – A warm, bubbly classic that’s always devoured.
• Pulled Pork Sliders – Mini sandwiches bursting with smoky flavor.
• Buffalo Chicken Pinwheels – Spicy, creamy, and super fun to eat.