Description
Mini Cheese Ball Bites are deliciously creamy, flavorful cheese balls coated with crunchy nuts, fresh herbs, or crispy bacon bits. Perfect as an appetizer or party snack, these bite-sized treats combine cream cheese, sharp cheddar, Parmesan, and savory seasonings for a rich and satisfying flavor. They are easy to prepare ahead, chilled, and served with crackers, bread, or vegetables for a crowd-pleasing finger food.
Ingredients
Cheese Mixture
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp sour cream
- 1 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Coatings
- 2–3 tbsp chopped fresh herbs (parsley, chives, or dill)
- 1 cup finely chopped nuts (pecans, walnuts, or almonds)
- 1 cup chopped fresh herbs (optional)
- ½ cup crispy bacon bits (optional)
Instructions
- Mix the Cheese Base: Combine the softened cream cheese, shredded sharp cheddar, grated Parmesan, sour cream, mayonnaise, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper in a bowl. Mix thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
- Chill the Mixture: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the cheese mixture for 30 minutes to firm up, making it easier to handle and shape into balls.
- Form Cheese Balls: Using a tablespoon, scoop out portions of the chilled mixture and roll each portion gently between your palms to create uniformly sized balls.
- Prepare the Coatings: Place your choice of finely chopped nuts, fresh herbs, and crispy bacon bits (if using) into separate shallow bowls, ready for coating the cheese balls.
- Coat the Cheese Balls: Roll each cheese ball in your desired coating(s), pressing gently so the nuts, herbs, or bacon bits adhere well to the surface.
- Chill Before Serving: Arrange the coated cheese balls on a platter and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow them to set and flavors to meld.
- Serve: Present the Mini Cheese Ball Bites alongside crackers, bread, or fresh vegetables for a perfect appetizer that guests can easily grab and enjoy.
Notes
- You can mix and match coatings for varied flavors and textures.
- Chilling is key to ensure the balls hold their shape and flavors meld nicely.
- Feel free to adjust seasonings according to your taste preferences.
- These cheese balls can be made a day ahead and kept refrigerated.
- Use fresh herbs for the best flavor impact.
