Mini Cheese Balls 3 Ways
Mini cheese balls are mouthwatering morsels that are the perfect appetizer whether you’re hosting a gathering or simply craving a scrumptious snack!
Mini Cheese Balls are the perfect bite-sized appetizers or snacks that pack a punch of flavor. Whether you’re hosting a party or looking for a delicious after-school treat, these little delights are sure to please.
The great thing about the little cheese balls is that you can make them in a variety of flavors. We’re sharing three different flavor combinations to get you started!
Table of contents
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Ingredients You’ll Need
- Cheeses – This recipe uses a mixture of cream cheese, goat cheese, and white cheddar cheese.
- Honey – Just a little honey adds a nice sweetness to the cheese and compliments the tart flavor of the goat cheese.
- Lemon juice – A little lemon brightens anything up and gives it a fresh flavor. You can also you lemon zest if you want a more lemon forward flavor.
- Toppings – We’re getting you started with 3 different flavor combinations for these you’ll need dried cranberries, pistachios, pecans, bacon, and chives.
How to Make Mini Cheese Balls 3 Ways
Step 1 – The Base. Combine the cream cheese, goat cheese, white cheddar cheese, honey, and lemon juice. Stir them together until they are well combined.
Step 2 – Roll. Roll the cheese mixture into 1-inch cheese balls.
Step 3 – Flavor combinations. On separate small plated combine the ingredients you’ll use to coat the cheese balls. In this case you will need 1 small plate for the chopped pecans and chopped bacon, mixed together. A second small plate combine the pistachios and cranberries, mixed together. A third small with finely chopped chives.
Step 4 – Coating. Divide the cheese balls into 3 equal portions and roll 1/3 in the bacon pecan coating, 1/3 in the cranberry pistachio coating, and 1/3 in the fresh chives.
Step 5 – Chill. Set the coated cheese balls on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and place in the refrigerator to chill for at least 1 hour.
Step 6 – Serve. Serve chilled.
Other Variations
Mini Cheese Balls are incredibly versatile. You can experiment with different flavor combinations by adding ingredients like:
- Sun-dried tomatoes, olives, jalapenos, etc.
- Nuts – Walnuts, macadamia nuts, almonds, etc.
- Dried or fresh herbs – dill, oregano, rosemary, thyme, etc.
- Spices and Seasonings – ranch, chili, onion powder, garlic powder, everything bagel seasoning, etc.
- Alternate cheeses – Blue cheese, feta cheese, Boursin cheese, smoked gouda, etc. If you use alternate cheeses we suggest replacing the goat cheese with soft cheeses and the white cheddar with firm cheeses. Cream cheese should remain in your base for all variations.
These variations will delight your taste buds and keep your guests coming back for more.
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Mini Cheese Balls as Party Appetizers
These little cheese balls are a party host’s dream. They’re not only delicious but also visually appealing. Arrange them on a platter with a variety of coatings, and watch them disappear as your guests indulge in this irresistible treat.
Mini Cheese Balls – A Kid-Friendly Snack
Mini Cheese Balls are not just for adults. Kids love them too! They are the perfect size for small hands and can be a fun and nutritious snack option. You can even involve your little ones in the rolling and coating process; it’s a great way to spend quality time together in the kitchen.
How to Serve Mini Cheese Balls
- On a Platter: Arrange your mini cheese balls on a stylish platter. You can group them together or spread them out for an appealing presentation. We like to line the platter with fresh herbs to
- With Toothpicks: Provide toothpicks alongside the cheese balls. This makes it easy for your guests to pick them up without getting their fingers messy.
- Accompaniments: Serve your mini cheese balls with some complementary items like:
- Crackers: A variety of crackers, including plain, whole wheat, or flavored, make a great pairing.
- Pretzels: Pretzel sticks stuck in the cheese ball rather than a toothpick is a delicious and fun alternative!
- Vegetable Sticks: Carrot, celery, and cucumber sticks are healthy options for dipping.
- Meats and cheeses: Serve on a platter with complimentary meats and hard cheeses. We especially like prosciutto, genoa salami, and chouriço.
- Dips: Offer some dipping sauces or spreads like:
- Honey: Drizzle a bit of honey for a touch of sweetness.
- Mustard: Spicy or Dijon mustard complements the savory flavors.
- Fruit Preserves: Try fruit preserves like fig or apricot for a sweet contrast.
- Salsa: A mild salsa can add some zing to your mini cheese balls.
Remember, the key is to get creative and have fun with your presentation. Your guests will appreciate the effort, and these mini cheese balls are sure to be a hit at any gathering!
How to Store Them
- Refrigeration: The best way to store mini cheese balls is in the refrigerator. Place them in an airtight container with a lid. Make sure the container is large enough to accommodate the cheese balls without crowding them.
- Layering: If you need to stack the cheese balls in the container, separate the layers with parchment paper or wax paper to prevent them from sticking together.
- Sealing: Ensure the container is tightly sealed to keep out moisture and odors from the fridge.
- Temperature: Store the container in the coldest part of your refrigerator, typically near the back or on a lower shelf.
- Duration: Mini cheese balls can be stored in the refrigerator for about 3 to 4 days.
- Serve Chilled: Mini cheese balls are best enjoyed chilled, so take them out of the refrigerator shortly before serving to allow them to come to a slightly cooler than room temperature for the best taste and texture.
By following these storage guidelines, you can keep your mini cheese balls fresh and delicious, whether you’re preparing them in advance for a party or saving some leftovers for later enjoyment.
How Long Do Mini Cheese Balls Last:
When stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container, mini cheese balls can last for approximately 3 to 4 days. During this time, they should maintain their flavor and texture.
Looking for More Easy Appetizers?
- Sausage Cream Cheese Dip
- Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe (Oven)
- Mexican 7 Layer Dip
- Quick and Easy Antipasto Skewers
- Southern Deviled Eggs
- Baked Turkey Sliders
- More Appetizer Recipes…
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Mini Cheese Balls 3 Ways
Ingredients
- 8 ounces Cream Cheese
- 4 ounces Goat Cheese
- 4 ounces White cheddar cheese
- 1 teaspoon Honey
- 1 teaspoon Lemon juice
- 1/4 cup Finely chopped dried cranberries
- ¼ cup Finely chopped pistachios
- ¼ cup Finely chopped pecans
- 5 slices Cooked bacon, finely chopped
- 3 tablespoons Finely chopped chives
Instructions
Cheese Ball Base
- Combine the first five ingredients and stir together until well combined.
- Roll the cheese mixture into 1-inch balls.
- On a small plate combine the chopped pecans and chopped bacon and mix together.
- On a second small plate combine the pistachios and cranberries and mix together.
- On a final plate add the finely chopped chives.
Bacon Pecan
- Roll 1/3 of teh cheese balls in chopped pecans and bacon.
- Set the coated cheese balls on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and place in the refrigerator to chill for at least 1 hour.
- Serve chilled
Cranberry Pistachio
- Roll 1/3 of the cheese balls in chopped dried cranberries and pistachios
- Set the coated cheese balls on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and place in the refrigerator to chill for at least 1 hour.
- Serve chilled
Chives
- Roll 1/3 of the cheese balls in chopped chives.
- Set the coated cheese balls on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and place in the refrigerator to chill for at least 1 hour.
- Serve chilled
Yumm! These look awesome! I’ll definitely have to make some of these for my next party!
These look delicious – thanks so much for sharing – pinning !
These look so delicious and perfect for game day. Found you from Tutorials & Tips Link Party.
Love cheese balls! In miniature…perfect! What great flavors and textures!
Dang it I have no cream cheese!!! I would make this tonight if I did. I LOVE goat cheese and cream cheese, this looks so amazing, I want it so bad.
You should come link up at our Bloggers Spotlight party on Thursday, we pin everything to our group board and have two separate link-ups, one for posts and one devoted to pins so you get even more exposure!
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Can I make these ahead of time? I would like to make them for a wedding shower but would need to make them at 12-18 hours in advance.
Yes! The only ones that might get a little droopy looking would be the chives. You might want to test those out ahead of time to make sure the chives look ok but the nuts and cranberries are definitely OK to make the night before. I hope people enjoy them!
What is your technique for rolling the cheese balls?
I just scoop the cheese up, usually with a melon baller and roll them into smooth balls in the palm of my hand.
Ooooh yum!! These sound amazing! I love the flavor of those smokehouse almonds… and… you really can’t go wrong with cheese and bacon! ????
How many does this make please? They look amazing… It’s my granson’s 21st birthday tomorrow, and when I asked what to bring, I was told a cheese tray. This will wow their socks off 🙂
Oh, I see now how many it yields. Thank you!
Glad you found it. I hope everyone likes them as much as we do!!