If you’ve ever enjoyed a potluck or brunch spread over the past two decades, chances are you’ve encountered the delightful Potatoes Romanoff – also affectionately known as Funeral Potatoes or Hashbrown Casserole. This beloved dish, rich with hash browns, creamy sour cream, savory cheese, and flavorful onions, served as the delicious inspiration behind these incredible Maple Sausage Brunch Bites. If you find yourself yearning for a fresh twist on traditional breakfast fare or are searching for the perfect crowd-pleasing item for your next breakfast potluck, these unique and tasty bites are exactly what you need!

Not only are these Maple Sausage Brunch Bites incredibly delicious, but they also boast an impressive pedigree: they won the **Grand Prize in the Johnsonville Sausage Recipe Contest**, specifically featuring their delightful Maple Breakfast Sausages. Beyond their award-winning status, these bites are remarkably easy to prepare, quick to cook, and freeze exceptionally well, making them a fantastic option for meal prepping. They are truly ideal for a wide array of occasions, from a casual breakfast potluck to a special holiday brunch, such as Mother’s Day or a festive Christmas morning gathering. Their convenient, grab-and-go format also makes them the perfect portable breakfast food for busy mornings.

🍒 Reader Review

“I have made these twice now, and they are absolutely delicious! I used regular sour cream, sharp cheddar cheese, and cream of mushroom soup, rather than the low-fat versions.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Why You’ll Absolutely Love These Maple Sausage Brunch Bites

• Effortlessly Portable: These savory brunch bites are designed for convenience. They travel exceptionally well, making them ideal for office potlucks, family picnics, or on-the-go breakfasts. Once cooled, they can be easily packed and reheated later, retaining their delicious flavor and satisfying texture.
• Fantastic Make-Ahead Option. Simplify your mornings and special occasions by preparing these breakfast bites up to a couple of days in advance and storing them in the refrigerator. For even longer storage, they freeze beautifully for months. I often prepare a large batch and keep them in the freezer, pulling out just what I need to heat up for a quick, wholesome meal. This feature is a game-changer for busy individuals and holiday entertaining.
• Incredibly Easy to Make. Don’t let their gourmet appeal intimidate you – these brunch bites are surprisingly simple to assemble. The process involves minimal fuss: just combine all the delicious ingredients in a bowl, mix them thoroughly, and then press them into a muffin tin. It’s a straightforward recipe that even novice cooks can master with ease.
• Delicious, Hearty & Satisfying! Prepare your taste buds for an absolute treat. These brunch bites are undeniably scrumptious, offering a harmonious blend of savory and slightly sweet flavors. Each bite delivers a full breakfast experience, packed with protein, carbohydrates, and creamy goodness. Expect nothing but rave compliments every time you serve them!
• Perfect Breakfast Finger Food. Finding savory breakfast finger foods that are both satisfying and easy to eat can be a challenge. These bites fill that niche perfectly! They are an excellent choice for quick weekday breakfasts, enhancing any potluck spread, adding elegance to holiday brunches, or simply providing a delightful grazing option for leisurely mornings.
• Award-Winning Excellence. As a Grand Prize winner in a prestigious recipe contest, these Maple Sausage Brunch Bites come with a stamp of approval that speaks volumes about their quality and taste. You can be confident that you’re making a recipe that has been tried, tested, and celebrated for its outstanding flavor and innovation.
• Customizable to Your Taste. While the recipe is perfect as written, it’s also wonderfully adaptable. You can easily adjust the type of cheese, swap out the sausage for a different flavor, or even incorporate additional vegetables to suit your preferences, making it a versatile staple in your breakfast repertoire.

🥘 Essential Ingredient Notes for Maple Sausage Brunch Bites

The foundation of these delectable brunch bites is inspired by the same winning combination of ingredients found in my famous Potatoes Romanoff with Hash Browns, with the crucial additions of eggs and delicious breakfast sausage. For this specific Maple Sausage Brunch Bites recipe, you’ll need the following carefully selected components:

• Cream of Mushroom Soup. (Concentrated canned mushroom soup). This ingredient is a secret weapon, adding not only incredible creaminess and moisture but also a wonderfully subtle mushroom flavor that perfectly complements the savory elements of the dish. It acts as a fantastic binding agent, helping the bites hold their shape.
• Maple Breakfast Sausages. For the absolute best flavor and a delightful hint of sweetness that elevates these bites, I highly recommend using maple-flavored breakfast sausages. They contribute both a unique taste and a satisfying texture. If maple sausages aren’t available, you can use regular breakfast sausages and add a small amount of pure maple syrup (1-2 teaspoons) or a tiny dash of maple extract (⅛ tsp) to the mixture to achieve that signature flavor. Alternatively, for a lighter option, consider using air fryer turkey sausages.
• Frozen Hash Browns. Convenience, speed, and economy make frozen hash browns an ideal choice for this recipe. I specifically use the shredded variety, as their fine texture helps the ingredients bind together more effectively, creating a cohesive bite. While cubed hash browns can work, shredded ones generally provide a superior structure and prevent the bites from crumbling. *Important Tip: Always thaw your hash browns completely before mixing. Cooking them from frozen can lead to uneven heating, leaving the center cold or mushy, and potentially making the mixture watery.
• Shredded Cheese. My preference is for low-fat sharp or old cheddar cheese, as it offers a robust flavor without being overly heavy. For the best melting consistency and to avoid unwanted additives, it’s always best to shred your own cheese from a block rather than using pre-shredded varieties, which often contain anti-caking agents that can hinder smooth melting. Feel free to experiment with other cheese types like Monterey Jack or a Colby-Jack blend for a slightly different flavor profile.
• Large Eggs. Essential for binding all the ingredients together, eggs provide structure and help create that perfect, cohesive muffin-like shape. They also contribute to the overall richness and protein content of these hearty brunch bites.
• Onion. Finely chopped onion adds a crucial layer of savory depth and aromatic flavor. Cooking it briefly in butter before adding it to the mixture softens it and brings out its natural sweetness, enhancing the overall taste of the bites. Approximately one small onion will yield the ½ cup needed.
• Butter. Used for cooking the onion, butter adds richness and helps to bring out the onion’s flavor, contributing to the overall deliciousness of the dish.

*Please refer to the detailed recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and precise quantities.

Chef’s Top Tip for this Recipe!

No cream of mushroom soup on hand? No problem! You can easily make your own “cream of anything” soup substitute using common pantry staples. This quick hack ensures you can still enjoy these delicious bites even if you’re missing an ingredient. (*Scroll down to #17 in the linked article for the recipe!)

🔪 Step-by-Step Guide: Crafting Your Delicious Brunch Bites

Follow these straightforward instructions to create perfect Maple Sausage Brunch Bites every time:

Preparation: Begin by cooking your maple breakfast sausages according to the package directions until they are beautifully browned and cooked through. Once done, set them aside to cool slightly. When cool enough to handle, chop the cooked sausage links into small, uniform ¼ inch circles. This size ensures even distribution and flavor in each bite.

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). While the oven preheats, take a 12-cup muffin tin and spray each cup generously and thoroughly with non-stick cooking spray. This crucial step will help prevent sticking and ensure easy removal of your baked brunch bites.

In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the chopped onion with the butter. Microwave on high for approximately 3 minutes, or until the onion is softened and fragrant. This pre-cooking step mellows the onion flavor and enhances its sweetness.

In a large mixing bowl, bring together the defrosted hash browns, the sautéed onion and butter mixture, concentrated mushroom soup, sour cream, eggs, freshly grated cheddar cheese, and the chopped maple sausages. This is where all the wonderful flavors come together.

Using a sturdy spatula or your hands, mix all the ingredients in the bowl until they are fully and evenly combined. Ensure no pockets of unmixed ingredients remain, so every bite is consistently delicious.

Scoop the prepared mixture into each of the 12 greased muffin cups, filling them generously right to the top. Crucially, pack the mixture down tightly into each cup using your spatula. This firm packing is key for helping the bites hold their shape and making them easier to remove later.

Place the filled muffin tin into your preheated oven and bake for approximately 20-30 minutes. The bites should be golden brown on top and set in the center when fully cooked.

Once baked, carefully remove the muffin tin from the oven. Allow the Maple Sausage Brunch Bites to cool in the pan for about 3-5 minutes. Then, gently run a butter knife around the entire edge of each muffin cup. This initial loosening is important for clean removal without damaging the bites.

After loosening, let the bites cool for a full 10 minutes in the pan. Run the knife around the edges one more time, then carefully lift each brunch bite out of the pan using a small spatula. They should come out easily and cleanly.

Serve these warm, flavorful bites immediately. They are fantastic on their own or with a dollop of ketchup or your favorite salsa.

Expert Tips for Perfect Brunch Bites

• Generously Spray Your Muffin Pan: This cannot be overstated. Ensuring each muffin cup is thoroughly coated with non-stick cooking spray is the number one secret to easy removal. Don’t be shy with the spray! This prevents sticking and crumbling, keeping your bites intact.
• Pack Them Tightly into the Muffin Tins: Use a spatula or the back of a spoon to really press the hash brown mixture firmly into each muffin cup. This compression helps the ingredients bind together, ensuring the bites hold their shape beautifully after baking. A dense mixture is less likely to fall apart.
• Allow for Initial Cooling & Loosening: Once out of the oven, resist the urge to immediately remove them. Letting them cool in the pan for 3-5 minutes allows them to set slightly. Running a butter knife around the edge of each bite during this time helps to gently detach them from the pan walls.
• Cool for a Full 10 Minutes Before Final Removal: After the initial loosening with the knife, let the bites continue to cool for a full 10 minutes. This longer cooling period allows them to firm up completely, making them much easier to lift out with a spatula without breaking. Patience here pays off!
• Opt for Shredded Hash Browns: While cubed hash browns are an option, shredded varieties are highly recommended. Their smaller, more intertwined strands create a better binding matrix, resulting in a more cohesive and less crumbly brunch bite.
• Cut Sausages into ¼ Inch Circles: Uniformly chopping your cooked sausages into ¼ inch circles ensures that the savory maple sausage flavor and texture are evenly distributed throughout each bite. This small size also helps them integrate well with the hash brown mixture.
• Consider Muffin Liners (with a caveat): For extra easy cleanup, you can use aluminum foil muffin liners. However, if using these, remember that you absolutely cannot reheat the bites in the microwave while they are still in the aluminum liners.

🍹🥗 Delicious Pairings: Drinks and Side Dishes for Your Brunch Bites

To truly complete your brunch experience, I wholeheartedly recommend serving these savory Maple Sausage Brunch Bites with a refreshing Classic Fruit Salad with Honey Lime Dressing and, of course, a festive batch of Mimosa Mocktails. The vibrant freshness of the fruit salad offers a beautiful contrast to the rich, savory bites, while the mocktails add a celebratory sparkle. You can also get creative with fresh fruit garnishes, such as the stunning kiwi fruit flowers you see in the photos. Learn how to make them with this fun tutorial: Video: (TikTok) How to Make a Kiwi Garnish

Consider pairing them with my delightful Raspberry Mimosa Mocktail – which can easily be “spiked” for an adult gathering – and you’ve crafted a perfect, elegant, and make-ahead meal that’s ideal for a Mother’s Day brunch, a holiday feast, or any special brunch occasion. For additional savory options, a side of extra salsa or a gourmet hot sauce can add a zesty kick, while a simple green salad can offer a refreshing, lighter element to your spread.

🌡️ Storage and Reheating Instructions

The make-ahead nature of these Maple Sausage Brunch Bites is one of their biggest advantages, making them incredibly convenient for busy individuals or for preparing ahead of a special event.

Refrigeration: You can prepare these brunch bites in advance and store them in an airtight container (affiliate link) in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. This is perfect for weekday breakfasts or for getting a head start on your weekend brunch prep.

Freezing: For longer storage, these bites freeze exceptionally well. Arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, then transfer them to an airtight freezer-safe container or a heavy-duty freezer bag. They can be frozen for up to 6 months, offering a fantastic stash of quick breakfast options.

Reheating:

• From Refrigerator: Reheat in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes, or in the microwave for 30-60 seconds per bite until warmed through.
• From Frozen: For best results, allow them to thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. Alternatively, you can reheat them directly from frozen in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through.
• Microwave (Caution with Liners): These brunch bites can be reheated quickly in the microwave for a fast workday breakfast. However, if you chose to cook them in aluminum-lined muffin cups for easy cleanup, DO NOT microwave them in the aluminum liners. Always remove them before microwaving.

Their ability to be prepared, stored, and reheated with such ease makes them an invaluable addition to your recipe collection!

🔢 Making These Brunch Bites Weight Watchers Friendly

For those following Weight Watchers or simply looking for a lighter option, this recipe can be easily adapted to be more diet-conscious without sacrificing flavor. To make these Maple Sausage Brunch Bites Weight Watchers friendlier, consider the following substitutions:

• Swap regular cream of mushroom soup for a low-fat version.
• Use fat-free sour cream instead of regular sour cream.
• Opt for low-fat shredded cheese.
• Substitute the traditional maple breakfast sausages with air fryer turkey sausage, or a lean chicken sausage.
• Use a light butter substitute or a small amount of cooking spray when sautéing the onions.

By implementing these simple changes, each Weight Watchers friendly brunch bite can come in at approximately 4 WW points, allowing you to enjoy this delicious and satisfying breakfast or brunch option while adhering to your dietary goals.

❔ Recipe Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Craving more fantastic breakfast ideas or unique brunch potluck recipes for work or home? Explore my extensive collection of other breakfast and brunch ideas here!

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