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Platter of Reuben Balls with a side of spicy Thousand Island dipping sauce, ready to serve.

Classic Reuben Balls with Spicy Thousand Island Dipping Sauce

These delightful Reuben Balls are packed with the classic flavors of corned beef, sauerkraut, and Swiss cheese, fried or baked to a golden crisp. Served with a zesty homemade spicy Thousand Island dipping sauce, they make a perfect appetizer for any occasion.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

For the Reuben Balls
  • 1 pound Corned Beef cooked and finely diced
  • 1 cup Sauerkraut well-drained and squeezed dry
  • 4 ounces Cream Cheese softened
  • 1 cup Swiss Cheese
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
  • 0.5 teaspoon Black Pepper
  • 1 Egg large, beaten
  • 0.5 cup All-Purpose Flour
  • 1 cup Panko Breadcrumbs
  • Vegetable Oil For frying (about 3-4 cups), or cooking spray for baking
For the Spicy Thousand Island Dipping Sauce
  • 0.5 cup Mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons Ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon Sweet Pickle Relish
  • 1-2 teaspoons Sriracha or Hot Sauce or to taste
  • 0.5 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
  • 0.25 teaspoon Onion Powder

Equipment

  • Large Bowl
  • Baking Sheet
  • Parchment Paper
  • Shallow Dishes
  • Deep Skillet or Dutch Oven (for frying)
  • Slotted Spoon (for frying)
  • Wire Rack (for frying)
  • Small Bowl
  • Whisk

Method
 

Prepare the Filling
  1. In a large bowl, combine the diced corned beef, drained sauerkraut, softened cream cheese, shredded Swiss cheese, Worcestershire sauce, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until well incorporated.
Form and Chill the Balls
  1. Roll the mixture into small, 1-inch diameter balls and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Chill them in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or freeze for 15 minutes, to help them firm up.
Set Up Dredging Station
  1. Prepare three shallow dishes with flour in the first, beaten egg in the second, and Panko breadcrumbs in the third.
Coat the Balls
  1. Dredge each chilled Reuben ball in flour, then dip in beaten egg, and finally roll in Panko breadcrumbs until evenly coated. Return coated balls to the parchment-lined baking sheet.
Cook the Reuben Balls (Choose Your Method)
  1. **Frying:** Heat vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C) and fry balls in batches for 3-4 minutes until golden brown, then drain on a wire rack. **Baking:** Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C), lightly spray balls with cooking spray, and bake for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and heated through.
Make the Dipping Sauce
  1. While the Reuben balls are cooking, whisk together mayonnaise, ketchup, sweet pickle relish, Sriracha or hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and onion powder in a small bowl until smooth. Adjust spice level to your preference.
Serve
  1. Serve the hot Reuben Balls immediately with the spicy Thousand Island dipping sauce on the side.

Notes

For an extra crisp, ensure your sauerkraut is very well-drained. You can adjust the spiciness of the dipping sauce by adding more or less Sriracha.