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
Have you tried this recipe?!
RATE and COMMENT below! I would love to hear your experience.
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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!