Air fryer sauerkraut balls are loaded with bacon and tangy kraut tucked inside a crispy shell for the perfect bite. These fritters are great for the holidays, New Year’s, and tailgating too!
14Ouncessauerkraut(drained, juice reserved, and chopped)
6Ouncesbacon(cooked and crumbled)
½Mediumonion(finely diced)
2Tbspbutter(salted)
2Tbspall purpose flour
¼Cupreserved kraut juice
1Tspgarlic powder(or to taste)
½Tspblack pepper(or to taste)
1Tspdried parsley
For the Breading
½Cupall purpose flour
2Largeeggs(beaten)
1 ½Cupspanko breadcrumbs
Olive oil spray(or similar)
For Dipping
2Tbspwhole or coarse grain mustard
Instructions
In a large skillet over medium high heat, melt the butter and add the onions, cooking until they are soft and slightly browned, about 6-8 minutes
½ Medium onion, 2 Tbsp butter
Add the flour, and cook for 1 minute
2 Tbsp all purpose flour
Stir in the reserved kraut juice, pepper, garlic powder, and parsley, and cook until thickened (about 1 minute more)
¼ Cup reserved kraut juice, 1 Tsp garlic powder, ½ Tsp black pepper, 1 Tsp dried parsley
Remove from heat and fold in chopped sauerkraut and bacon
14 Ounces sauerkraut, 6 Ounces bacon
Refrigerate the mixture for at least 2 hours (or up to overnight) until well chilled so that it can easily be rolled into a ball
Once sauerkraut mixture is completely cooled, form into approximately 1” balls. You can do this with your hands like a meatball, or use a cookie scoop
Create a 3-stage dredging station of flour, beaten eggs, and panko breadcrumbs (feel free to season each with a little salt and pepper to taste)
½ Cup all purpose flour, 2 Large eggs, 1 ½ Cups panko breadcrumbs
Roll each sauerkraut ball in the flour, then the egg mixture, and lastly into the panko, making sure to coat them thoroughly at each step
Place the kraut balls into your air fryer’s basket or rack in a single layer, allowing air space between each one for even cooking. Spray the tops with a mist of olive oil spray
Olive oil spray
Cook on the air fry setting at 380°F for 6 minutes, then carefully flip them, reapply oil, and cook for an additional 4-6 minutes, until golden brown
Cool slightly (they will be hot!) and serve with mustard for dipping
2 Tbsp whole or coarse grain mustard
Notes
This amount of sauerkraut makes around 18-20 balls (depending on size). This recipe easily doubles if you’d like to make more!
Other meat options include: ham (use up that leftover Christmas ham), beef, corned beef, brats, kielbasa or sausage. Make sure to cook ahead of time and finely chop the meat (a food processor is handy for this)! You may also omit the meat for a vegetarian option
A white, yellow, or sweet onion works great for this, or you can use 2 green onions instead
You can use leftover bacon grease instead of the butter if preferred (but if you use a different type of meat, you won’t have this option)
In place of the kraut juice, feel free to substitute chicken, beef, or vegetable stock!
Cheese variations. For a cheesier option, add 4 ounces of softened cream cheese to your mix, or cut 4 ounces of swiss cheese into cubes and stuff the center of each sauerkraut ball with a cube before frying
Alternative dipping sauce options include: Thousand Island dressing, remoulade, or other types of mustard
This recipe was made in my Ninja Dual Zone air fryer and I cooked the sauerkraut balls for 12 minutes total to get this shade of browning. I did not preheat my air fryer for this recipe. Note that cooking times will vary between different brands of air fryer, so adjust as needed until they’re the shade you like!
Store leftover sauerkraut fritters in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For longer term storage, freeze individually on a cookie sheet, then bag and store up to 3 months
To reheat sauerkraut balls, air fry at 350°F for 3-5 minutes, until warmed through and re-crisped (add 2-3 more minutes if reheating from frozen)
Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand of ingredients, choice of dipping sauce, size of balls, and quantity consumed, and assumes use of all breading materials, so please consider this a guideline only