These little cheese dunbar bites are the sort of thrifty, no-fuss party snack that earned a permanent place at Midwestern tailgates and potlucks long before anyone called them “game day appetizers.” With just three simple ingredients, they come together fast and bake up golden, savory, and wonderfully melty inside, which makes them perfect when you need something warm and crowd-pleasing without a lot of bother.
Serve these bites hot with plenty of toothpicks or cocktail picks, alongside a bowl of mustard, ranch, or a little jar of pepper jelly if you like a sweet-savory contrast. They fit right in with chili, vegetable trays, pickles, potato salad, or a spread of other easy finger foods, and they’re especially good with cold pop, iced tea, or game day beer.
3-Ingredient Cheese Dunbar Bites
Servings: 8
Ingredients
1 pound breakfast sausage
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
2 cups baking mix
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet or lightly grease a 9x13-inch pan.
2. In a large bowl, combine the breakfast sausage, shredded cheddar, and baking mix. Mix with clean hands or a sturdy spoon until the mixture is evenly blended and holds together.
3. Roll the mixture into small bite-size balls, about 1 inch across, and place them on the prepared pan with a little space between each one.
4. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, until browned on the outside and cooked through in the center.
5. Let them cool for 5 minutes, then serve warm on a paper plate or platter with toothpicks.
Variations & Tips
Spicy Batch: For a little extra zip, use hot breakfast sausage or add a pinch of cayenne to the mixture. It gives these bites a pleasant warmth that goes mighty well on a cold afternoon.
Cheese Swap: Sharp cheddar gives the best old-fashioned flavor, but you can use pepper jack for a livelier bite or a colby-jack blend for a milder version if you’re serving folks who don’t like strong cheese.
Make-Ahead Tip: Roll the bites ahead of time and refrigerate them on the pan, covered, for several hours before baking. That trick is handy when company is coming and you want to keep the kitchen work simple.
Freezer Tip: These freeze well after baking. Let them cool completely, freeze in a single layer, then store in a freezer bag and reheat in the oven until hot all the way through.