Cheesy Sausage Crescents (Buttery, Cheesy & Crowd-Pleasing)
Updated: Jul 31
These Cheesy Sausage Crescents are flaky, buttery, and filled with savory sausage, creamy cheese, and golden baked crescent dough for an easy appetizer everyone loves. Whether you're hosting a game day party, holiday gathering, brunch, or simply need a quick family snack, these bite-sized crescents come together in about 30 minutes with just a handful of simple ingredients.
If you enjoy easy appetizers like Cheesy Baked Chicken Taquitos, Hot Cajun Crab Dip, or The Ultimate Marry Me Dip, these cheesy sausage crescents are another crowd-pleasing recipe you'll want to make again and again. You can also browse more favorites in our Appetizers & Game Day Snacks collection.
Quick Answer
Cheesy Sausage Crescents are an easy baked appetizer made with refrigerated crescent roll dough, seasoned sausage, cream cheese, and shredded cheddar. They're ready in about 30 minutes and are perfect for parties, holiday gatherings, brunch, and game day snacks.
Why You’ll Love This
Flaky buttery crescents with a creamy sausage and cheese filling
Ready in about 30 minutes
Perfect for parties, brunch, holidays, and game day
Easy to customize with different cheeses and seasonings
Great for making ahead and reheating
Recipe Card
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 16 crescents
Difficulty: Easy
Cuisine: American
Category: Appetizer
Method: Baking
Nutrition Information
(Approximate, per crescent) Nutrition values may vary based on ingredient brands and substitutions.
Calories: 165
Protein: 7 g
Carbohydrates: 11 g
Fat: 10 g
Fiber: 0.5 g
Sugar: 2 g
Ingredients
For the Filling
1 pound (454 g) breakfast sausage or mild Italian sausage
4 ounces (113 g) cream cheese, softened
1 cup (113 g) shredded cheddar cheese (or Colby-Jack cheese)
½ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon black pepper
For the Crescents
2 tubes (8 ounces each/226 g each) refrigerated crescent roll dough (8-count each)
1 tablespoon melted butter (optional, for brushing)
1 teaspoon sesame seeds or everything bagel seasoning (optional)
Ingredient Note: Refrigerated crescent roll dough is easiest to work with when it's kept chilled until you're ready to assemble. Allow the cooked sausage filling to cool for a few minutes before filling the dough to help prevent the crescents from becoming soft or difficult to roll.
Instructions
1. Prepare the Oven
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Cook the Sausage
Place the sausage in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook for 7 to 9 minutes, breaking it into small crumbles with a wooden spoon, until fully browned and no longer pink. Drain any excess grease and let the sausage cool for about 5 minutes.
3. Make the Filling
Transfer the cooked sausage to a medium mixing bowl. Add the softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, garlic powder, and black pepper. Stir until everything is evenly combined and the cheeses are well distributed throughout the sausage mixture.
4. Prepare the Crescent Dough
Open the crescent roll dough and carefully separate it along the perforated lines into 16 individual triangles. Arrange the triangles on a clean work surface.
5. Fill and Roll
Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the sausage mixture onto the wide end of each crescent triangle. Starting at the wide end, gently roll each triangle toward the pointed tip, enclosing the filling as you go. Pinch any open seams if needed to help keep the filling inside during baking.
6. Arrange for Baking
Place the filled crescents seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches (5 cm) between each one. If desired, brush the tops lightly with melted butter and sprinkle with sesame seeds or everything bagel seasoning for extra flavor and a beautiful golden finish.
7. Bake
Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the crescents are puffed and deep golden brown. The filling should be hot and the pastry crisp and flaky.
8. Cool and Serve
Allow the crescents to cool for 3 to 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy them warm with honey mustard, ranch dressing, marinara sauce, spicy mayo, or your favorite dipping sauce.
Troubleshooting
Why did my crescents leak?
Avoid overfilling and pinch the seams tightly before baking.
Why are the bottoms soggy?
Let the sausage drain well before mixing with the cheese.
Why didn't they brown?
Bake until deep golden and brush lightly with butter before baking if desired.
Tips & Variations
Use spicy sausage or add a pinch of red pepper flakes for heat.
Swap cheddar for pepper jack for a spicier bite.
Add 2–3 tablespoons finely diced jalapeños or green chiles for extra flavor.
For a brunch-style version, serve with eggs or a simple fruit side.
Sprinkle grated Parmesan over the tops before baking for extra flavor.
Make-Ahead & Storage
Prepare the filling up to 2 days in advance and refrigerate until ready to assemble. You can also assemble the crescents several hours ahead and refrigerate them until baking time. Leftovers keep well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or can be frozen for up to 2 months. Reheat in a 350°F (175°C) oven or air fryer until hot and crisp.
FAQs
Can I use flavored sausage?
Yes. Mild or hot breakfast sausage, Italian sausage, maple sausage, or even chorizo can all be used to create different flavor variations.
Can I use a different cheese?
Absolutely. Colby Jack, Monterey Jack, mozzarella, pepper Jack, or a sharp white cheddar all melt well and work beautifully in this recipe.
What can I serve with Cheesy Sausage Crescents?
They're delicious with honey mustard, ranch dressing, marinara, spicy mayo, queso, or a creamy cheese dip. For brunch, pair them with fresh fruit, scrambled eggs, or a simple green salad.
Can I make these with crescent dough sheets?
Yes. Crescent dough sheets work just as well. Simply cut the dough into triangles before filling and rolling.
Can I add vegetables to the filling?
Yes. Finely diced jalapeños, green onions, bell peppers, or chopped spinach can be mixed into the filling. Cook vegetables first and remove excess moisture to keep the crescents from becoming soggy.
More Great Appetizer
If you're planning a party, game day spread, or casual family gathering, these easy appetizer favorites are guaranteed to keep everyone coming back for more.
Buffalo Chicken Sliders 
Spinach Artichoke Dip 
Cheeseburger Egg Rolls
Final Thoughts
Cheesy Sausage Crescents are one of those easy recipes you'll find yourself making again and again. With flaky crescent dough, a creamy sausage filling, and plenty of melted cheese, they're perfect for everything from holiday parties and game day gatherings to quick family snacks. Simple to prepare and always a hit, they're sure to disappear fast from any appetizer table.
