1. Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Baking Sheet

Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent the sausage balls from sticking and to ensure even baking. If you don’t have parchment paper, you can lightly grease the baking sheet with cooking spray or butter.

2. Prepare the Sausage Mixture

In a large mixing bowl, combine the breakfast sausage, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and black pepper. Use your hands or a spoon to mix the ingredients together until everything is evenly incorporated. It’s important to mix thoroughly to ensure that the sausage, cheese, and dry ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the dough.

3. Add the Jalapenos

Next, add the finely chopped fresh jalapenos to the mixture. If you prefer a milder flavor, you can remove the seeds from the jalapenos before chopping them. The seeds carry most of the heat, so removing them will result in a more moderate level of spiciness. If you enjoy a spicier bite, leave the seeds in.

Mix the jalapenos into the sausage mixture until they are evenly spread throughout. You should be able to see little green specks of jalapeno throughout the mixture, which will add both flavor and a pop of color.

4. Add Milk to Form the Dough

Slowly add the milk to the mixture, a little at a time, until the dough comes together and is moist enough to be rolled into balls. The dough should be slightly sticky, but not overly wet. Add more milk if necessary, but be careful not to make the dough too runny.

5. Roll the Dough into Balls

Once the dough is mixed to the right consistency, use a tablespoon or a cookie scoop to portion out the dough. Roll each portion into a ball, about 1 to 1 ½ inches in diameter. Place each ball on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. The sausage balls will expand slightly during baking, so giving them enough room will help them bake evenly.

6. Bake the Sausage Balls

Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the sausage balls for 25-30 minutes, or until they are golden brown on the outside and cooked through on the inside. You can test for doneness by cutting one of the sausage balls in half—if the center is no longer pink and the sausage is fully cooked, the sausage balls are ready to come out of the oven.

If you prefer a slightly crispier exterior, leave them in the oven for an additional minute or two. Be careful not to overbake, as the sausage balls will become dry.

7. Cool and Serve

Once the sausage balls are baked to perfection, remove them from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes. This will allow them to firm up slightly and make them easier to handle.

Serve the Jalapeno Sausage Balls warm or at room temperature. They are delicious on their own, or you can pair them with your favorite dipping sauces, such as ranch dressing, barbecue sauce, or a spicy mustard.