Stuffed Sloppy Joe Bombs are the ultimate comfort food makeover that transforms the classic messy sandwich into neat, hand-held bites that are perfect for parties, game days, or fun family dinners. These golden brown dough balls are stuffed with savory, slightly sweet sloppy joe filling and melted cheese, then baked until perfectly crispy on the outside while staying soft and gooey inside. They’re like having all the delicious flavors of a sloppy joe sandwich without any of the mess. Kids absolutely love these because they’re fun to eat and perfectly portioned, while adults appreciate how easy they are to make and how well they feed a crowd. Whether you’re looking for creative appetizers, lunchbox treats, or just want to shake up dinner routine, these bombs deliver satisfaction in every bite.
Serving Quantity: 12 bombs (serves 6)
Cooking Time: 45 minutes
1. Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef (80/20 blend)
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 1 small green bell pepper, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 cans (16 ounces each) refrigerated biscuit dough
- 1 and 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (optional)
- Cooking spray
- Extra ketchup and mustard for dipping
2. Nutrition Information Per Serving (2 bombs)
- Calories: 485
- Protein: 22g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fat: 22g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sodium: 1180mg
3. Make the Sloppy Joe Filling
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and break it up with a wooden spoon or spatula. Cook for about 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the meat is browned and no longer pink. Break it into small crumbles as it cooks for the best texture in your bombs.
4. Drain the Fat
Once the beef is fully cooked, carefully drain off most of the excess fat, leaving just a tablespoon or so in the pan. Too much fat will make your filling greasy and cause the dough to become soggy, but a little fat adds flavor and helps bind everything together.
5. Cook the Vegetables
Return the skillet with the drained beef to medium heat. Add the diced onion and bell pepper. Cook for about 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened and the onion is translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
6. Add the Sauce Ingredients
Stir in the ketchup, tomato paste, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, yellow mustard, chili powder, and smoked paprika. Mix everything together thoroughly until the beef and vegetables are completely coated in the sauce. The mixture should look thick and rich.
7. Simmer and Thicken
Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the sloppy joe mixture simmer for about 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. This allows the flavors to meld together and the sauce to thicken considerably. You want the mixture to be thick and not soupy at all, or it will leak out of the dough bombs. The filling should be thick enough that very little liquid pools at the bottom of the pan.
8. Season and Cool
Taste the filling and season with salt and black pepper as needed. Remove the skillet from heat and let the sloppy joe mixture cool completely. This is very important because if you stuff warm filling into the dough, it will make the dough soggy and difficult to work with. Spread the filling on a plate or baking sheet to help it cool faster. You can even refrigerate it for 15 to 20 minutes.
9. Preheat the Oven
While the filling is cooling, preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or spray it generously with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
10. Prepare the Dough
Open the cans of refrigerated biscuit dough and separate the biscuits. You should have 16 biscuits total. Gently flatten each biscuit with your hands into a circle about 4 inches in diameter. Don’t roll them too thin or they’ll tear when you stuff them. The dough should be about a quarter inch thick.
11. Assemble the Bombs
Working with one flattened biscuit at a time, place about 2 tablespoons of the cooled sloppy joe filling in the center. Top the filling with about 2 tablespoons of shredded cheddar cheese. Don’t overfill or the bombs will burst open during baking. Less is more here.
12. Seal the Bombs
Carefully gather the edges of the dough up and around the filling, pinching and twisting at the top to seal completely. Make sure there are no gaps or openings where the filling could leak out. Pinch the seams firmly to create a good seal. Place the bomb seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining biscuits and filling.
13. Space Them Properly
Arrange the bombs on the baking sheet with about 2 inches between each one. They’ll puff up and expand as they bake, so they need room to grow without touching each other.
14. Prepare the Butter Topping
In a small bowl, mix together the melted butter and garlic powder. This will create a delicious golden coating on your bombs.
15. Brush With Butter
Use a pastry brush to generously brush the melted garlic butter over the top and sides of each bomb. This helps them brown beautifully and adds wonderful flavor. If using sesame seeds, sprinkle them over the buttered tops now.
16. Bake the Bombs
Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 18 to 22 minutes until the bombs are deep golden brown all over and the dough is cooked through. The bombs should look puffy and gorgeous. If they’re browning too quickly on top, tent them loosely with aluminum foil for the last few minutes.
17. Cool Slightly
Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the bombs cool on the pan for about 5 minutes. They’ll be extremely hot inside, so this cooling time is important to prevent burned mouths. The slight cooling also allows the filling to set up a bit.
18. Serve and Enjoy
Transfer the sloppy joe bombs to a serving platter. Serve them warm with extra ketchup, mustard, or your favorite dipping sauces on the side. They’re best enjoyed fresh and warm when the cheese is still melty and gooey inside.
19. Tips for Success
The key to successful bombs is making sure your sloppy joe filling is completely cooled and very thick. If it’s too wet or warm, it will make the dough soggy and cause leaks during baking. Ground turkey or ground chicken can substitute for the beef if you prefer a leaner option. Just add an extra tablespoon of oil when cooking since these meats are drier. Don’t overstuff the bombs. It’s tempting to pack in more filling, but overstuffing makes them impossible to seal properly and causes them to burst open in the oven. Refrigerated biscuit dough is convenient, but you can also use pizza dough, crescent roll dough, or even homemade bread dough if you prefer. Each creates a slightly different texture. Make sure to pinch the seams very well. Any gaps will allow the filling to leak out during baking. If you’re having trouble sealing them, try wetting your fingers slightly to help the dough stick together. These bombs can be assembled up to 4 hours ahead. Place them on the baking sheet, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until ready to bake. Add a few extra minutes to the baking time if starting from cold. For meal prep, you can freeze unbaked bombs. Arrange them on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. Bake directly from frozen, adding about 5 extra minutes to the baking time. Add pickles, jalapeños, or crispy bacon bits to the filling for extra flavor variations. Each addition brings something special to these already delicious bombs. Kids love helping make these. Let them help flatten the dough, spoon the filling, and seal the bombs. It’s a fun cooking project that results in something they’re excited to eat. Different cheeses work wonderfully. Try pepper jack for spice, American for classic flavor, or mozzarella for extra stretch and gooeyness. The garlic butter topping is optional but highly recommended. It adds so much flavor and helps achieve that beautiful golden color. Everything bagel seasoning sprinkled on top instead of sesame seeds is absolutely delicious and adds extra flavor dimension. These bombs are perfect for parties because they’re easy to eat while standing, don’t require plates or utensils, and can be made ahead. They also transport well for potlucks. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat in a 350 degree oven for about 10 minutes until warmed through and crispy again. The microwave makes them soggy. Serve these with classic sides like french fries, tater tots, coleslaw, or a simple green salad for a complete meal.
