Looking for the perfect party appetizer? These mini cheeseball bites are bite-sized flavor bombs that will steal the show at any gathering. Creamy, cheesy, and rolled in delicious coatings like nuts, herbs, or bacon, they’re easy to make and even easier to eat!
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe?
These mini cheeseball bites are:
- A crowd-pleaser—everyone loves them!
- Easy to customize with your favorite flavors and toppings
- Perfectly portable and mess-free for parties or potlucks
- A great make-ahead option to save time on busy days
Ingredients
Here’s a quick look at what you’ll need:
- Cream cheese
- Cheddar cheese
- Green onions
- Garlic powder
- Bacon bits, chopped nuts, or fresh herbs for rolling
The complete ingredient list and measurements are available below in the recipe card!
Directions
- Make the cheese mixture
In a mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar, chopped green onions, and garlic powder. Mix until smooth and well-blended. - Shape into balls
Scoop out small portions of the mixture (about a tablespoon each) and roll them into bite-sized balls. - Roll in toppings
Prepare your toppings—chopped nuts, crumbled bacon, fresh herbs, or a combination of these. Roll each cheeseball in your desired coating until fully covered. - Chill and serve
Place the coated cheeseballs on a tray and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up. Serve with toothpicks or crackers for easy snacking.
Expert Tips and Tricks
- Use a cookie scoop to make uniform cheeseball sizes.
- Make sure your cream cheese is softened for easy mixing.
- If the mixture feels sticky, lightly oil your hands before rolling the balls.
- For extra flavor, add a splash of Worcestershire sauce or a pinch of smoked paprika to the cheese mixture.
Recipe Variations and Possible Substitutions
- Swap cheddar for other cheeses like Gouda, Monterey Jack, or pepper jack for a different flavor profile.
- Roll the cheeseballs in crushed pretzels for a salty crunch.
- Add dried cranberries or raisins for a sweet-savory twist.
- Skip the bacon for a vegetarian-friendly version and stick with nuts and herbs.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
Serve these mini cheeseball bites on a platter with crackers, pretzel sticks, or veggie slices for dipping. They pair beautifully with a sparkling drink or a glass of chilled white wine. These bites also make a great addition to a charcuterie board or a festive appetizer spread.
Storage and Reheating Tips
Store leftover cheeseball bites in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. These are best enjoyed cold, so no reheating is necessary.
FAQs
Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes! Prepare them a day in advance and keep them covered in the fridge until serving.
What toppings work best?
Chopped pecans, walnuts, crispy bacon, fresh parsley, or even Everything Bagel seasoning are all fantastic options!
Can I freeze mini cheeseball bites?
Yes, you can freeze them before adding the toppings. Once frozen solid, transfer them to a zip-top bag. Thaw in the fridge overnight and roll in your toppings before serving.
Can I make them larger?
Absolutely! You can form one large cheeseball instead of minis and serve it with crackers for dipping.
Conclusion
Mini cheeseball bites are the ultimate appetizer for any occasion. They’re flavorful, customizable, and always a hit with guests. Whip up a batch for your next party, and watch them disappear in no time! Let me know what toppings you tried—I’d love to hear about your delicious creations.
Print
Mini Cheeseball Bites
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Yield: 23 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer, Snack
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Mini Cheeseball Bites are a delicious and easy appetizer that’s perfect for parties or snacking. They’re made with cream cheese, cheddar cheese, everything bagel seasoning, and pecans, and they’re served with pretzel sticks for dipping.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup finely shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 teaspoons everything bagel seasoning
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- 3/4 cup finely chopped pecans
- 23 pretzel sticks
Instructions
- Prep: Lay a piece of parchment paper on a cookie sheet.
- Mix Cream Cheese: In a mixing bowl, use a spatula or wooden spoon to press the cream cheese until it’s smooth and pliable. (Set out the cream cheese a couple of hours before making these cheeseballs to soften.)
- Combine Ingredients: Add the shredded cheese, everything bagel seasoning, and green onions. Mix thoroughly until well combined.
- Shape Cheeseballs: Using a tablespoon measuring spoon (or a 1 tablespoon cookie scoop), scoop out the cheeseball mixture and roll it into a smooth ball with your hands. Place them onto the parchment paper and repeat until done.
- Coat in Pecans: Put the finely crushed pecans into a small bowl. Roll each mini cheeseball in the pecans until well coated. Place them back onto the parchment paper.
- Chill: Refrigerate the mini cheeseballs for at least 1 hour.
- Serve: Stick 1 pretzel stick into the center of each mini cheeseball, or try placing the mini cheeseball on top of a round cracker (like Ritz crackers). Serve them immediately, or they can chill in the fridge (up to 3-4 hours) until ready to serve.
Notes
- Shredded Cheese: Shred the cheese from a block of cheddar cheese on the fine side of a cheese grater.
- Cream Cheese: Use full-fat cream cheese for the best flavor and texture.
- Mixing: Mix the cheeseball mixture very well to avoid large cream cheese chunks.
- Softened Cream Cheese: It’s much easier to mix the cheeseball mixture when the cream cheese is softened at room temperature.
- Rolling Tip: If the cream cheese mixture is too soft and sticks to your hand, try wetting your hands (damp and not dripping wet) before rolling the cheeseballs.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cheeseball
- Calories: 150kcal
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 25mg