Description
An easy make-ahead appetizer or snack recipe, this Mini Cheese Ball Bites recipe is the perfect appetizer for cheese lovers made 3 ways: Cranberry & Pecan, Bacon & Ranch, and Honey Sesame.
Ingredients
Scale
- 16 ounces full-fat cream cheese (room temperature)
- 1/2 cup full-fat sour cream
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Emmentaler or Gruyere cheese
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/3 cup chopped dried cranberries
- 1/3 cup chopped pecans
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning
- 1/3 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/3 cup chopped bacon
- 1 tablespoon chopped chives
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 1/3 cup feta cheese (crumbled)
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 cup dried cranberries (finely chopped)
- 1/4 cup pecans (finely chopped)
- 1/2 cup crumbled bacon
- 3 tablespoons finely chopped chives
- 1/3 cup everything bagel seasoning (OR use a mixture of black and white sesame seeds)
- 30 small pretzel sticks (for serving)
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine the cream cheese, sour cream, shredded cheese, and lemon juice with a rubber spatula or with a hand mixer.
- Divide this mixture evenly between 3 bowls.
- Into the first bowl, add the chopped dried cranberries, chopped pecans, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt.
- Into the second bowl, add the ranch seasoning, parmesan cheese, bacon, and chives.
- Into the third bowl, add the Worcestershire sauce, honey, feta cheese, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt.
- Stir each mixture well to combine. Cover each mixture and refrigerate for 2-3 hours or until firm.
- Prepare a baking sheet or cutting board lined with parchment paper.
- Prepare the ingredients for rolling in 3 small bowls.
- Scoop out about one tablespoon of the chilled cranberry pecan cheese ball mixture and roll it in your hands to form a ball. Roll in the chopped cranberries and pecans.
- Repeat with the other mini cheese balls until finished.
- Repeat with the other flavours, rolling and dipping in the correct coating.
- Chill the cheese balls in the fridge for 2 more hours or overnight.
- Before serving, place a pretzel stick into each mini cheese ball and serve on a platter.
Notes
- Cover cheese balls with plastic wrap if chilling for more than 2 hours.
- Use a cookie scoop for even-sized balls.
- Experiment with different coatings if desired.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 105 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Chilling and rolling
- Cuisine: Various
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 mini cheese ball
- Calories: 162
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 13 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
Keywords: Mini Cheese Ball Bites, appetizer, snack, cheese