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 teaspoon honey
- 1/3 cup feta cheese (crumbled)
- 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
- 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 for different flavors.
- In the first bowl, add cranberries, pecans, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt.
- In the second bowl, add ranch seasoning, parmesan cheese, bacon, and chives.
- In the third bowl, add Worcestershire sauce, honey, feta cheese, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt.
- Stir each mixture well to combine. Cover and refrigerate for about 2-3 hours until firm.
- Prepare a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Prepare the rolling ingredients in small bowls: cranberries and pecans, bacon and chives, everything bagel seasoning.
- Scoop about one tablespoon of the chilled mixture and roll it into a ball. Roll in the appropriate coating and set on the prepared pan.
- Repeat with the other flavors.
- Chill the cheese balls in the fridge for about 2 more hours or overnight.
- Before serving, place a pretzel stick into each mini cheese ball and serve.
Notes
- Chill for at least 2 hours for best results.
- Use plastic wrap to cover if chilling overnight.
- Prep Time: 60 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Refrigerate and roll
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 mini cheese ball
- Calories: 162 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 13 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 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