Pioneer Woman Ham Balls Recipe for Your Family

Pioneer Woman’s ham balls bring together a delightful fusion of savory and sweet flavors that dance across your palate.

Robust ground meat blends perfectly with crunchy cornflake coating, creating a texture that promises satisfaction in every bite.

Hearty ingredients transform simple proteins into an irresistible appetizer that signals comfort and celebration.

Each morsel carries deep, complex seasonings that whisper stories of traditional family gatherings and warm kitchen memories.

Tender meat mixtures promise a delectable experience that goes beyond ordinary party snacks.

Rich brown sugar and tangy vinegar work together, elevating these compact spheres into something truly spectacular.

Savor the Savory Delight in Pioneer Woman Ham Balls

• Savor Sweet-Savory Flavor Explosion: These ham balls deliver an incredible taste journey with the perfect balance of sweet brown sugar and tangy mustard, creating a mouthwatering blend that dances across your taste buds.
• Master Quick and Easy Preparation: This recipe offers a simple cooking method that takes less than an hour, making it ideal for busy home cooks who want delicious results without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Create Crowd-Pleasing Party Favorite: These bite-sized ham balls are versatile enough for appetizers, potlucks, or family dinners, guaranteed to impress guests with their irresistible combination of textures and flavors.
• Enjoy Minimal Ingredient Magic: Using straightforward ingredients like ground ham, cornflakes, and a simple glaze, this recipe proves that delicious meals don't require complicated or expensive components.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Pioneer Woman Ham Balls

Step 1: Prepare Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F and grab a greased baking pan that’s ready for delicious ham ball action.

Step 2: Grind Ham

Use a food processor to transform ham cubes into fine, consistent ground meat. Work in small batches to ensure smooth grinding.

Step 3: Create Ham Ball Mixture

• Ground ham
• Ground pork
• Milk
• Crushed cornflakes
• Egg
• Brown sugar
• Mustard
• Salt

Gently mix until all ingredients are perfectly blended.

Step 4: Shape Delectable Balls

Roll the meat mixture into compact 1-inch balls. Arrange them in a single layer on your prepared baking pan, ensuring they’re not crowded.

Step 5: Craft Irresistible Glaze

In a small saucepan, mix glaze ingredients over medium heat. Stir continuously until sugar dissolves completely and the mixture becomes smooth.

Step 6: Bake To Perfection

Spoon half the glaze over ham balls before baking. Place in the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes. Midway through cooking, rotate the pan and drizzle remaining glaze. Bake until edges start turning golden brown.

Step 7: Serve And Enjoy

Remove ham balls from the oven and let them rest briefly. Serve warm as a crowd-pleasing appetizer or a hearty main dish that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.

Expert Suggestions for Pioneer Woman Ham Balls

• Grease Smartly: Line baking pans with parchment paper and add a light coating of cooking spray. This prevents sticking and helps achieve a beautiful golden-brown exterior while making cleanup a breeze.
• Customize Your Glaze: Experiment with the sweet-tangy balance by adjusting brown sugar and vinegar ratios. More sugar creates a sweeter finish, while extra vinegar adds a zesty kick.
• Choose Peak Ingredients: Select freshly ground ham and crisp, recently crushed cornflakes. Super-dry ham can result in dense, tough ham balls, so aim for moisture and quality.
• Mix with Gentle Touch: Combine ingredients just until blended, avoiding overmixing. Aggressive stirring can compact the mixture, leading to dense, tough ham balls.
• Scoop for Consistency: Grab a cookie scoop or tablespoon to create uniform ham balls. Identical sizes ensure even cooking and a professional-looking presentation that impresses everyone at the table.

Smart Storage Solutions for Pioneer Woman Ham Balls

• Vacuum Seal: Protect ham balls from freezer burn by using a vacuum sealer. Remove excess air completely, which prevents moisture loss and maintains optimal flavor and texture. This method extends storage life up to 4 months and keeps the ham balls tasting freshly prepared.
• Portion and Separate: Divide ham balls into smaller meal-sized portions before freezing. Place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking, allowing easy separation when you're ready to reheat. This technique saves time and reduces waste by enabling selective thawing.
• Individual Wrapping: Wrap each ham ball separately in plastic wrap before placing in a freezer container. Create a protective barrier that locks in moisture and prevents potential flavor contamination from other foods. Label each wrapped ball with the date to track freshness and ensure optimal consumption timing.

Creative Variations on Pioneer Woman Ham Balls

• Sweet and Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper and a tablespoon of honey to the meat mixture for a bold, zesty flavor profile that will wake up taste buds.
• Mediterranean Fusion: Incorporate crumbled feta cheese, chopped fresh oregano, and a splash of olive oil into the ham mixture for a Greek-inspired variation that brings Mediterranean warmth to the classic recipe.
• Smoky Bacon Infusion: Mix in crispy crumbled bacon bits and a touch of smoked paprika to enhance the ham's depth and create a rich, smoky undertone that complements the original glaze.
• Herb Garden Blend: Fold in finely chopped fresh herbs like parsley, thyme, and rosemary to introduce a fresh, aromatic dimension that brightens the traditional ham ball recipe.

Final Reflections on Pioneer Woman Ham Balls

Pioneer Woman Ham Balls shine as a classic comfort dish with Southern charm.

Ham and pork blend harmoniously, creating succulent morsels packed with rich flavors.

Sweet mustard glaze elevates these bite-sized delights beyond ordinary appetizers.

Cornflake crumbs provide delightful texture, ensuring each morsel remains perfectly crisp.

Family gatherings and holiday tables become more memorable with these irresistible ham balls.

Passionate cooks can spark culinary conversations, ignite taste buds, and connect through shared meal experiences – share this recipe, spark discussions in comment sections, and spread deliciousness across social platforms.

Essential Ingredients for Pioneer Woman Ham Balls

• Ground Ham: The star of the dish, adds rich and salty flavor with a traditional ham taste.
• Ground Pork: Provides additional moisture and helps bind the meat mixture together.

• Milk: Helps keep the ham balls moist and tender during baking.
• Crushed Cornflakes: Creates a light, crispy texture and helps hold the meat mixture together.
• Egg: Acts as a binding agent to help the ham balls maintain their shape.

• Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a caramelized exterior on the ham balls.
• Mustard: Provides a tangy flavor that complements the sweetness of the brown sugar.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the ham balls.

• Brown Sugar, Water: Forms the base of the sweet and sticky glaze for coating the ham balls.
• Vinegar: Adds a slight tang to balance the sweetness of the glaze.
• Mustard: Introduces a sharp, spicy note to the glaze.

Pioneer Woman Ham Balls Recipe

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4.7 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty Ham Balls showcase classic Midwestern comfort cuisine with a delightful blend of ground ham, beef, and pork. Glazed in a sweet-tangy sauce, these savory spheres offer a nostalgic taste you’ll crave at your next family gathering.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat:

• 1 pound (454 grams) fully cooked ham, cubed
• 1 pound (454 grams) ground pork

Dry Ingredients:

• 1 cup (240 milliliters) crushed cornflakes
• ¼ cup (60 grams) packed brown sugar
• 1 cup (240 grams) packed brown sugar
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons ground mustard

Wet Ingredients:

• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) 2% milk
• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) apple cider vinegar (or white vinegar)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven environment by heating to 350°F (177°C), ensuring a consistent temperature for optimal cooking results.
2. Transform ham into fine particles by pulsing cubed pieces in a food processor, creating a uniform texture for seamless incorporation.
3. Combine ground ham, ground pork, milk, crushed cornflakes, egg, brown sugar, mustard, and salt in a spacious mixing bowl, gently folding ingredients until evenly distributed without overmixing.
4. Craft uniform spherical portions approximately 1-inch in diameter, carefully positioning them in a single layer across greased 15x10x1-inch baking pans to promote even cooking.
5. Construct a complementary glaze by merging designated ingredients in a compact saucepan, gradually heating and stirring until sugar fully dissolves and integrates.
6. Enhance ham balls’ flavor profile by delicately drizzling half the prepared glaze across the surface before initiating baking process.
7. Introduce baking pans to preheated oven, allowing 30-35 minutes of cooking time while monitoring browning progression.
8. Midway through cooking duration, rotate pans and strategically apply remaining glaze, ensuring comprehensive flavor distribution.
9. Confirm completion through visual cues of gentle browning and consistent internal temperature.
10. Present warm ham balls as an elegant appetizer or versatile main course, inviting guests to savor the meticulously crafted dish.

Notes

• Change the Glaze as You Like: Personalize the glaze by adjusting sweetness or tanginess with extra brown sugar or vinegar to match your taste preferences.
• Prepare Your Baking Pan: Line baking sheets with parchment paper and lightly grease to prevent sticking and ensure even browning of ham balls.
• Use Fresh Stuff: Select high-quality ground ham and freshly crushed cornflakes to maintain moisture and enhance overall flavor of the dish.
• Mix Just Right: Combine ingredients gently and minimally to prevent dense, tough ham balls that could compromise the texture.
• Make Each Ball the Same Size: Utilize a cookie scoop or tablespoon for consistent sizing, promoting uniform cooking and professional-looking results.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 210 kcal
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 12 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg