Mini Cheese Ball Bites are the perfect party appetizer that’s easier to eat and more practical then a large cheese ball!
I love all of the holiday party food this time of year, but I especially love the appetizers! However, when I see a cheeseball being served at a party, I usually don’t eat any. I always feel a little awkward digging into this giant ball of cheese with a cracker or a spoon, especially when there are people behind me in line! Maybe I’m weird, but it’s true.
Then, I saw this amazing idea on Pinterest–cheeseball hacking problem solved! These little mini cheese ball bites are not only cute, they’re totally practical. You can still serve them with crackers on the side, and they’re super easy for guests to enjoy!
I made one cheeseball recipe, divided it into 12 portions, and coated them in nuts, dried cranberries, and green onion or parsley.
Consider trying these easy appetizers:
- Seven Layer Bean Dip
- Easy Vegetable Dip
- Artichoke Dip
- Slow Cooker Cranberry BBQ Meatballs
- Artichoke Dip Stuffed Bread
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Recipe
Mini Cheese Ball Bites
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons salted butter , room temperature
- 8 ounces cream cheese , room temperature
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
- 1/8 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/8 teaspoon hot sauce
- 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup freshly shredded cheddar cheese
For topping
- 1/3 cup dried cranberries
- 1/3 cup crushed nuts (almonds, pecans or walnuts)
- 1/3 cup green onion , finely chopped
- 12-15 pretzel sticks
Instructions
- In a medium bowl add the butter, cream cheese, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and ground pepper. Beat with an electric mixer until well combined and smooth. Stir in cheddar cheese.
- Use a spoon to divide the mixture into 12-15 tablespoon-size portions. Dip your clean hands in a little bit of water and smooth each portion into a small ball. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (or as long as you want to in advance). Before serving, roll the balls in cranberries, nuts, parsley or green onion. Place a pretzel stick in each. Serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
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This recipe did not taste right and was not flavorful enough so I added onion powder and paprika as another recipe called for. I would absolutely leave out the butter, it is not necessary and I made three times the recipe so I couldn’t start over again but the butter keeps it from being as hard as it should be.
I have made this many times. Each time they are a hit.
Thanks for the great recipe! I have made these as appetizers for my son’s high school graduation party and now for Thanksgiving. I love that I can make them ahead, freeze them, and thaw them the day of the event. The three flavors give something for everyone.
Awesome. Looking forward to making these soon!
They look delicious! How many is a serving ?
Lauren said roll the cheese mìxture into 12-15 mini balls. I would say apprx. 3/4 -1 oz. each. Each one would be a small serving for a few small crackers or baguette slices. Maybe that helps a little. As for myself, I would want at least 2 pieces.
i have followed the recipe but mine are very soft i can not roll any ideas why?
thanks
I’d stick the mixture in the fridge to harden a little more.
I love this recipe and got voluntold I would be making it again this year. I add some of the lemon zest for fun, extra chipotle hot sauce, garlic powder measured with my heart, and extra pepper. So cute and keep their darling shape unlike the big standard size. Thanks much!
They’re very cute but rather bland. I added extra hot sauce, but next time, more cheddar and maybe some garlic or onion powder.
I’m going to make these when we go camping with everyone. They are going to love these
Looks great! Making for my granddaughters, 30th. Birthday Party!
Hi! These look amazing! I would like to prepare it for a get together I am planning. Can I make the balls, roll it in the toppings and then refrigerate for a day or roll the toppings only a little before serving (and not a full day)? Thank you in advance : )
Yes, you can make them even a few ahead of time (depending on the freshness of your ingredients). I’d wait to roll any of them in chopped nuts until the night before, so the nuts stay crunchy.
Iam not a fan of Worcestershire sauce or hot sauce.These look so pretty and festive for the Holidays. Do you have any suggestions for using another ingredient in placement of the hot sauce and Worcestershire sauce? If I left out the sauce would I still use the lemon juice? Thank you in advance! Sharyn.
You could simply leave out both.
Perhaps Heinz 57 steak sauce.
Smoked paprika it’s delicious
Thank you again for great tips, recipes and for making Thanksgiving dinner a delight!
I roll my cheese ball recipe into a log about the circumference of Ritz cracker and the cover with desired topping. I cut a few “discs” before serving so guest know what to do. It’s make for a lovely presentation too!
Sheila, I thought the comments would relate to this recipe, not what you do with a cheese log
Great recipe and tips! I landed here from a link from the “classic cheese ball” recipe- which is recipe I will use tomorrow for a party. I love the idea of mini balls- so cute and guest friendly! Sheila, GREAT idea about the log- diameter and slicing tips. I will make use of it for the party. Barb, I always look at comments for additional tips, tricks, and tweaks. Your comment to Sheila was completely useless to me.
I used goat cheese instead if butter due to an allergy. It was amazing!
I Feel the same about digging into a cheese ball at a party so I usually don’t get any. I made these last year for a couple of places and they were a hit!
These look delicious! Trying to keep in the Christmas color scheme, instead of green onion, has anyone tried crushed pistachios for the green part? Love the crushed walnut/pecan or bacon look as well as the cranberries!
Made to my taste (definitely shredded cheddar cheese, left out some items like steak sauce. I used very small cookie scooper and topped with crisp bacon crumbs, and/or finely chopped walnuts….
Note: I put each scooped ball into already cooled n baked floured tortilla cup (350 degrees non greased for 5min.)
To punch out individually into tiny muffin cups, I used a biscuit cutter to cut out 2” circles.)
Sure was attractive n tasty!
Colleen, I’ve read the recipe 10 times and do not see steak sauce listed as an ingredient
It was the suggestion for the hot sauce/Worcestershire substitution question.
Can you also used crumbled up bacon bits for another kind of topping
Sure, that sounds delicious!
These were a hit! I made them smaller than the recipe. I used flaked almonds and chopped pecans, but I also did crushed nuts and this is definitely the way to go. I also used the chopped cranberries.
These look and sound SO GREAT! Can’t wait to make them for my Canasta and Bingo groups. :^)
When a recipe calls for dried cranberries, I use the Craisin cherry flavored ones. They just taste better to me.
Thanks for this idea! I just made them for book club that I am hosting tomorrow night. Quick question–I have them in the fridge now. Can I roll them in toppings 3 hours before I serve them? It says serve immediately after you roll in toppings but I have to take my daughter to volleyball practice before our party so wondering if it would hurt to roll in toppings and refrigerate for 3 hours before serving. Thanks!
Hi Amy, that should be fine! Sounds like fun–hope everyone loves them!
Thankyou so much for Sharing these adorable mini cheese ball bites. We have our annual ladies Valentines Day Party comin up soon! WE all bring a dish and these would be perfect an so cute!! Love these!!! Sticking a stick Pretzel in the middle Instead of a toothpick! Awesome! :0)~~~~
Thanks Cathy! That sounds like a fun party–I hope everyone loves them!
Would these freeze well? I want to make them for a party, but need to be able to make them 8-9 days ahead of time…
Did you try freezing them? I’d like to do the same.
Did you try freezing them? I’d like to do the same.
Yes they do freeze well. I did so at Thanksgiving. I wrapped them in plastic, then put in a freezer bag. Thawed them in the fridge the night before.
I seriously love cheese balls! I always make them as appetizers for get together’s or holidays. I love the idea of making them mini and adding different flavor components. Thanks for sharing!
I love this idea! Only instead of cream cheese I use goat cheese. Everyone loves them! Thank you!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️
These are so cute! They look tasty too. Can’t wait to make them for a party on Wednesday.