Hamdi Saidani Pioneer Woman Ham Balls are made with fully cooked ham, ground pork, milk, crushed cornflakes, egg, brown sugar, ground mustard, salt, and apple cider vinegar. This easy Ham Balls recipe creates a tasty appetizer that takes about 55 minutes to prepare and can serve up to 24 people.
Pioneer Woman Ham Balls Ingredients
- 1 pound fully cooked ham, cubed
- 1 pound ground pork
- 1 cup 2% milk
- 1 cup crushed cornflakes
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Ingredients For the Glaze:
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar (or white vinegar)
- 1 tablespoon ground mustard
How To Make Pioneer Woman Ham Balls
- Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (177°C).
- Prepare Ham: Place the cubed ham into a food processor and pulse in batches until finely ground.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the ground ham, ground pork, milk, crushed cornflakes, egg, brown sugar, mustard, and salt. Mix just until all ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Form the Balls: Shape the mixture into 1-inch balls and arrange them in a single layer on greased 15x10x1-inch baking pans.
- Make the Glaze: In a small saucepan, combine all the glaze ingredients. Cook and stir over medium heat until the sugar is dissolved. Spoon half of the glaze over the ham balls before baking.
- Bake: Bake the ham balls for 30-35 minutes, or until they just begin to brown. Halfway through the baking time, rotate the pans and carefully spoon the remaining glaze over the ham balls. Continue baking until done.
- Serve: Serve the ham balls warm, ideally as an appetizer or a main dish.
Recipe Tips
- Make Each Ball the Same Size: Use a cookie scoop or a tablespoon to scoop the mix. This helps all the ham balls cook at the same time and look the same.
- Mix Just Right: When you mix the ham, pork, and other ingredients, stir them until they are just combined. If you stir too much, the ham balls might get hard.
- Use Fresh Stuff: For the best taste, use fresh ground ham and freshly crushed cornflakes. Make sure the ham isn’t too dry, or it could make the balls dry too.
- Change the Glaze as You Like: You can make the glaze sweeter or more tangy. Add more brown sugar if you want it sweeter, or add more vinegar if you like a tangy taste.
- Prepare Your Baking Pan: To keep the balls from sticking and to make cleaning easier, put parchment paper on your baking pans and grease them a little. This also helps the ham balls get a nice brown color without sticking.
What To Serve With Ham Balls
Ham Balls pair well with creamy mashed potatoes, steamed green beans, buttered corn, and coleslaw. They also can be served alongside macaroni and cheese, a fresh garden salad, dinner rolls, and roasted carrots.
How To Store Ham Balls
- Refrigerate: Let the Ham Balls cool down completely after cooking. Then, place them in an airtight container or cover the dish with plastic wrap. They will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Freeze: If you want to keep the ham balls for longer, freeze them. First, wrap them tightly with aluminum foil, then put them in a freezer bag or a container that is safe for the freezer. The ham balls can be frozen for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to enjoy them, thaw them overnight in the refrigerator and then reheat them.
How To Reheat Leftover Ham Balls
- In The Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the leftover ham balls on a baking sheet and cover them with aluminum foil—reheat for about 10-15 minutes, or until they are hot all the way through.
- In The Microwave: Put a few ham balls in a microwave-safe dish and cover them loosely with plastic wrap. Heat on high for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even warming.
- In The Air Fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Place the ham balls in the basket of the air fryer without overcrowding. Heat for 3-5 minutes, checking halfway to ensure they do not dry out.
Pioneer Woman Ham Balls Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 1 of 24 servings
- Calories: 150
- Total Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Dietary Fiber: 0.5 g
- Sugar: 7 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
- Sodium: 430 mg
FAQs
Can I Use A Different Meat Instead Of Pork?
Yes, you can use ground turkey or chicken if you like. These meats are less fatty than pork, so the texture might change a little.
What If I Don’t Have Cornflakes?
If you don’t have cornflakes, you can use breadcrumbs or crushed crackers instead. They help hold everything together and add a bit of crunch.
How Can I Tell If The Ham Balls Are Cooked All The Way?
The ham balls are ready when they turn golden brown and reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Use a meat thermometer to check.
Can I Make The Ham Balls Ahead Of Time?
Yes, you can make them the day before and keep them in the fridge until you’re ready to cook them. You can also cook them fully, cool them, and reheat them when it’s time to eat.
What Sauces Or Dips Go Well With These Ham Balls?
While the ham balls are tasty on their own from the glaze, you can also try them with mustard sauce, barbecue sauce, or a creamy dip like ranch or blue cheese for extra flavor.
Try More Pioneer Woman Recipes:
- Pioneer Woman Swedish Meatballs
- Pioneer Woman Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
- Pioneer Woman Sausage Balls
- Pioneer Woman Potato Balls
Pioneer Woman Ham Balls
Description
Pioneer Woman Ham Balls are made with fully cooked ham, ground pork, milk, crushed cornflakes, egg, brown sugar, ground mustard, salt, and apple cider vinegar. This easy Ham Balls recipe creates a tasty appetizer that takes about 55 minutes to prepare and can serve up to 24 people.
Ingredients
Ingredients For the Glaze:
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (177°C).
- Prepare Ham: Place the cubed ham into a food processor and pulse in batches until finely ground.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the ground ham, ground pork, milk, crushed cornflakes, egg, brown sugar, mustard, and salt. Mix just until all ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Form the Balls: Shape the mixture into 1-inch balls and arrange them in a single layer on greased 15x10x1-inch baking pans.
- Make the Glaze: In a small saucepan, combine all the glaze ingredients. Cook and stir over medium heat until the sugar is dissolved. Spoon half of the glaze over the ham balls before baking.
- Bake: Bake the ham balls for 30-35 minutes, or until they just begin to brown. Halfway through the baking time, rotate the pans and carefully spoon the remaining glaze over the ham balls. Continue baking until done.
- Serve: Serve the ham balls warm, ideally as an appetizer or a main dish.
Notes
- Make Each Ball the Same Size: Use a cookie scoop or a tablespoon to scoop the mix. This helps all the ham balls cook at the same time and look the same.
- Mix Just Right: When you mix the ham, pork, and other ingredients, stir them until they are just combined. If you stir too much, the ham balls might get hard.
- Use Fresh Stuff: For the best taste, use fresh ground ham and freshly crushed cornflakes. Make sure the ham isn’t too dry, or it could make the balls dry too.
- Change the Glaze as You Like: You can make the glaze sweeter or more tangy. Add more brown sugar if you want it sweeter, or add more vinegar if you like a tangy taste.
- Prepare Your Baking Pan: To keep the balls from sticking and to make cleaning easier, put parchment paper on your baking pans and grease them a little. This also helps the ham balls get a nice brown color without sticking.
