Ham balls are an absolutely charming retro recipe that deserves a comeback on your dinner table! These delightful little spheres are a perfect combination of ground ham, breadcrumbs, and eggs, baked until golden and glazed with a sweet and tangy sauce that’ll have everyone asking for seconds. This recipe is wonderfully easy to make and incredibly versatile – serve them as an appetizer, main course, or even as a fun addition to a charcuterie board.
What I love most about ham balls is how foolproof they are. Whether you’re a seasoned home cook or just starting your culinary journey, you’ll find this recipe incredibly forgiving and quick to prepare. The beauty of ham balls lies in their simplicity and the way they bring people together. They’re perfect for family dinners, potlucks, holiday gatherings, or even just a fun weeknight meal that feels a bit more special than the ordinary.
The key to making the best ham balls starts with quality ingredients and proper technique. You’ll want to use a good ground ham – your butcher can grind it fresh for you, or you can use quality packaged options. The addition of breadcrumbs keeps them moist and tender, while the glaze transforms them into something truly spectacular. For extra flavor inspiration, check out our Quick Tasty Bacon Carbonara Recipe for creative ways to incorporate pork into your cooking.
This ham balls recipe is incredibly adaptable too. You can serve them with various sauces – from the classic brown sugar glaze to a Best Heavy Cream Alfredo Sauce for a more elegant presentation. Add them to a Delicious Heavy Cream Pasta for a comforting main course, or pair them with Easy Pickled Red Onion for a fresh, tangy accompaniment.
Making ham balls from scratch takes less than 30 minutes of active time, and they’re perfect for meal prep. You can form the balls ahead of time and refrigerate them until you’re ready to bake. They also reheat beautifully, making them an excellent choice for entertaining or feeding a crowd. The glaze creates a beautiful caramelized exterior while keeping the inside tender and juicy.
For more creative pork-based dishes, consider pairing this with our Best Chickpea Salad Recipe for a well-rounded meal. The slight acidity and earthiness of the salad provides a lovely contrast to the rich, sweet ham balls.
One of my favorite aspects of this recipe is how nostalgic it feels. Ham balls evoke memories of church socials, family reunions, and grandmother’s kitchen – but they’re absolutely modern and relevant for today’s entertaining. They’re the kind of dish that makes people smile and ask for the recipe, and honestly, that’s what cooking is all about. So gather your ingredients, preheat that oven, and let’s make some absolutely delicious ham balls that’ll become a new favorite in your kitchen!
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground ham
- 1 pound ground pork (or additional ground ham)
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup whole milk
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- For the glaze: 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- For the glaze: 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- For the glaze: 1/4 cup pineapple juice
- For the glaze: 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- For the glaze: 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it with cooking spray for easy cleanup.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground ham, ground pork, breadcrumbs, eggs, milk, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Mix the ingredients gently with your hands until just combined – avoid overmixing, which can make the ham balls tough and dense.
- Using a cookie scoop or your hands, form the mixture into 24 golf ball-sized balls, placing each one on the prepared baking sheet.
- Space the ham balls about 2 inches apart to allow for even cooking and browning on all sides.
- Bake the ham balls in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, until they’re lightly browned on the outside and cooked through.
- While the ham balls are baking, prepare the glaze by combining brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, pineapple juice, and Dijon mustard in a medium saucepan.
- Bring the glaze mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the brown sugar dissolves completely.
- Once the glaze is simmering, add the cornstarch slurry and stir constantly for 2-3 minutes until the glaze thickens slightly and becomes glossy.
- Remove the glaze from heat and let it cool for about 5 minutes before using.
- When the ham balls are done baking, transfer them to a serving platter or baking dish.
- Pour the warm glaze over the ham balls, gently tossing to coat them evenly.
- For a more caramelized finish, return the glazed ham balls to the oven for an additional 5-10 minutes at 350°F.
- Remove from the oven and let cool for 2-3 minutes before serving with toothpicks if using as appetizers.
- Serve immediately while warm and enjoy!
Pro Tips
- These ham balls can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 2 days before baking – just form them, cover, and store in the fridge until ready to cook
- Leftover ham balls keep well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and can be reheated gently in a 300°F oven for about 10 minutes
- For a sweeter glaze, add 1-2 tablespoons of honey or additional brown sugar to the mixture
- If you prefer a spicier version, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce to the glaze
- Ground pork keeps these ham balls extra moist and tender – don’t skip this ingredient
- You can substitute the pineapple juice with orange juice or additional apple cider vinegar for different flavor profiles
- These are excellent served alongside roasted vegetables or a fresh green salad for a complete meal
- For appetizer-sized portions, form smaller balls and reduce baking time by 5 minutes
- The glaze can be made up to 1 day ahead and reheated gently before serving
- These freeze beautifully before glazing – freeze on a baking sheet, then transfer to freezer bags for up to 3 months
- To reheat frozen ham balls, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bake at 350°F for 15 minutes, then glaze as desired