These Sausage Cream Cheese Crescents are golden, flaky, and filled with a rich, creamy sausage filling. Perfect for parties, breakfasts, or snacks they’re easy to make, crowd-pleasing, and irresistibly delicious.
Sausage Cream Cheese Crescents – The Ultimate Savory Appetizer
There’s something magical about the combination of flaky crescent rolls, savory sausage, and creamy cheese filling baked to golden perfection. These Sausage Cream Cheese Crescents are the perfect bite-sized comfort food — warm, cheesy, and full of flavor.
Whether you’re hosting a party, preparing a game-day snack, or just craving a cozy breakfast treat, these crescents are always a hit. They’re quick to assemble, bake beautifully, and can be made ahead of time for easy entertaining.
In this recipe, we’ll walk you through how to make these irresistible sausage crescents with step-by-step instructions, helpful tips, and creative variations.
Ingredients
For the Filling:
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1 pound (450 g) breakfast sausage (mild, spicy, or Italian)
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8 ounces (225 g) cream cheese, softened
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½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
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1 teaspoon garlic powder
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½ teaspoon onion powder
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¼ teaspoon black pepper
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¼ teaspoon paprika (optional, for color and flavor)
For the Crescents:
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2 cans (8 ounces each) refrigerated crescent roll dough
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1 tablespoon melted butter (for brushing)
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1 teaspoon sesame seeds or poppy seeds (optional for garnish)
Equipment Needed
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Skillet or frying pan
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Mixing bowl
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Spoon or spatula
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Baking sheet
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Parchment paper
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Pastry brush
Step-by-Step Directions
Step 1: Cook the Sausage
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In a large skillet, cook the sausage over medium heat until browned and no longer pink, breaking it into small crumbles with a spatula.
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Drain off any excess grease to prevent soggy crescents.
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Let the sausage cool slightly before mixing with the cream cheese — this ensures a creamy filling without melting too quickly.
Step 2: Make the Filling
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In a mixing bowl, combine the cooked sausage, softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar, garlic powder, onion powder, and pepper.
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Stir until everything is well combined and creamy. The mixture should be thick and spreadable.
Optional: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for extra heat or fresh herbs like parsley for a burst of freshness.
Step 3: Prepare the Crescent Dough
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Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
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Unroll the crescent dough and separate it into triangles along the perforated lines.
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Place the triangles flat on your baking sheet for easy filling and rolling.
Step 4: Fill and Roll
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Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the sausage-cream cheese filling onto the wide end of each crescent triangle.
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Gently roll from the wide end to the tip, enclosing the filling inside.
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Place the rolls seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
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Brush the tops with melted butter and, if desired, sprinkle with sesame or poppy seeds for a bakery-style finish.
Step 5: Bake
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Bake the crescents in the preheated oven for 12–15 minutes, or until golden brown and puffed.
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Remove from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving — the filling will be piping hot.
Step 6: Serve Warm
Serve your Sausage Cream Cheese Crescents warm for the ultimate gooey, cheesy bite.
They’re perfect for breakfast, brunch, or as a quick appetizer for any gathering.
Serving Suggestions
These crescents are incredibly versatile and pair well with many dishes and dips. Try serving them with:
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Ranch dressing or honey mustard for dipping
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Marinara sauce for an Italian twist
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Hot sauce or sriracha mayo for spice lovers
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Fresh fruit salad for a balanced breakfast spread
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Scrambled eggs or hash browns for a complete brunch
They also make excellent party snacks, holiday appetizers, or on-the-go breakfast bites.
Tips for Perfect Sausage Cream Cheese Crescents
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Use Quality Sausage: Choose your favorite breakfast sausage — spicy for heat or maple for a touch of sweetness.
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Drain Excess Grease: Always drain the cooked sausage well to avoid soggy dough.
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Soften the Cream Cheese: Room temperature cream cheese blends more smoothly with the sausage.
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Don’t Overfill: Too much filling can cause the crescents to burst during baking.
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Cool Slightly Before Serving: The filling will be extremely hot right out of the oven.
Flavor Variations
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Spicy Jalapeño: Add diced jalapeños or pepper jack cheese for a kick.
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Bacon Lover’s Version: Replace or combine sausage with crumbled bacon.
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Italian Style: Use Italian sausage, mozzarella cheese, and a pinch of oregano.
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Veggie Twist: Substitute sausage with sautéed mushrooms, spinach, and onions.
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Breakfast Deluxe: Add scrambled eggs into the filling for a hearty morning roll.
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips
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Make Ahead: Assemble the crescents, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.
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Freezing: Bake and cool completely, then freeze in an airtight container for up to 2 months.
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Reheating: Warm in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 8–10 minutes or in an air fryer for 5 minutes until crispy and heated through.
Pro Tip: Avoid microwaving for too long — it can make the dough chewy instead of flaky.
Nutritional Information (Per Crescent Roll)
| Nutrient | Amount (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 190 kcal |
| Protein | 6 g |
| Carbohydrates | 11 g |
| Fat | 13 g |
| Saturated Fat | 5 g |
| Cholesterol | 35 mg |
| Sodium | 310 mg |
| Fiber | 0.5 g |
| Sugar | 2 g |
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
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Quick and Easy: Minimal prep and ready in under 30 minutes.
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Crowd Favorite: A guaranteed hit at any party or breakfast table.
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Customizable: Endless ways to change the filling to suit your taste.
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Perfect Texture: Golden flaky pastry outside, creamy cheesy filling inside.
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Make-Ahead Friendly: Great for meal prep or entertaining.
Fault finding procedure, guide
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Crescents unrolling in the oven: Pinch seams tightly and place seam-side down.
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Filling leaking: Use a smaller scoop of filling and make sure dough edges overlap well.
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Uneven browning: Rotate the baking tray halfway through baking for even color.
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Too greasy: Ensure you’ve drained the sausage thoroughly and don’t overuse butter on top.
Serving Ideas for Every Occasion
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Breakfast Buffet: Pair with scrambled eggs, fruit, and coffee.
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Holiday Brunch: Serve alongside mimosas, fresh berries, and sweet pastries.
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Game Day: Offer with dipping sauces for guests — they’ll vanish fast!
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Snack Box: Pack for road trips or picnics for a hearty handheld snack.
Storage and Reheating
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Refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days.
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Reheat in an oven or air fryer to bring back the crispiness.
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Freeze for later use — they taste freshly baked when reheated.
Final Thoughts
These Sausage Cream Cheese Crescents are the perfect blend of flaky pastry, savory sausage, and creamy filling — a recipe that’s simple, delicious, and universally loved. With just a few ingredients and minimal effort, you can create a snack or breakfast that’s as comforting as it is indulgent.
They’re ideal for every occasion — from busy mornings to weekend brunches and festive gatherings. Once you make them, they’ll become a staple in your kitchen.
Serve them warm, watch them disappear, and enjoy the satisfaction of a recipe that’s both easy and unforgettable.
