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Delicious, versatile, and easy to make, Mini Cheese Balls are perfect for any occasion! They are a terrific finger food appetizer for parties, casual entertaining, or holiday gatherings with family and friends.
Welcome To Finger Food Friday!
I’m so excited to share this new series with you. Every Friday, I’ll be featuring a yummy finger food recipe that’s easy to make and eat. Finger foods are bite-size nibbles that encourage folks to relax, mingle around good food and drinks, and have fun. Each week, I’ll spotlight a recipe that you’ll love sharing at an impromptu party or savoring on a lazy weekend. Finger Food Friday is an outstanding way to get the weekend going!
Mini Cheese Balls are the star of the show this week. These tasty bites are super easy to make and can be customized with so many different flavors.
I’ve turned my popular Cheddar And Chive Cheese Ball recipe into mini cheese ball bites. I love filling up a wooden cutting board with mini cheese balls, some crackers, pretzel sticks, and maybe a bunch of grapes. This is a simple way to entertain with a stylish, fun vibe.
Ingredients Needed For This Recipe
- Cream Cheese – softened for easier mixing
- Fresh Chives – parsley or other fresh herbs can be substituted
- Sharp Cheddar Cheese
- Worcestershire Sauce
- Garlic Powder – onion powder can be used if you prefer
- Fresh Cracked Pepper – for extra heat, cayenne pepper can be added
- Pecans
Scroll down for complete measurements and instructions
How To Make Mini Cheese Balls
- Place all ingredients into a medium size bowl. Using a hand mixer or wooden spoon, mix until blended well.
- Using a cookie scoop, measure out tablespoon size balls of the cream cheese mixture and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Place the cheese balls in the refrigerator to chill for 1 to 2 hours.
- Roll the mini cheese balls in chopped pecans or other toppings of your choice.
How To Make Ahead And Store
If you are making these cheese balls ahead of time, make each mini cheeseball and place it on the baking sheet. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and place in the fridge until you are ready to roll in the toppings and serve.
For leftovers, store the mini cheese balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Variations And Serving Ideas
- Cheese Ball Variations – there are so many ways to change up this recipe and customize it to your liking. Add fresh or dried herbs and spices to the cheese mixture for extra flavor.
- Toppings Options – roll the mini cheese balls in bacon bits, chopped walnuts, or almonds. Shredded cheese or crumbled blue cheese are great options for an extra cheesy punch. Chopped cranberries and parsley bring a holiday touch and taste at Christmas or Thanksgiving.
- Serving Ideas – mini cheese balls make an excellent appetizer platter with crackers, pita chips, nuts, and fruit. Add a bit of fun by turning the cheese balls into skewers with pretzel sticks. Cheese ball bites are a great addition to a charcuterie board or as a topping for salads.
More Great Finger Food Recipes To Make
- Outrageously Good Stuffed Celery
- Layered Shrimp Dip
- Antipasto Skewers
- Creamy Crab Dip
- Spicy Cheese Cracker Snack Mix
Ingredients
- 16 ounces (2 blocks) softened cream cheese
- ¼ cup chopped fresh chives
- 1 ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon fresh cracked pepper
- 1 cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Place all ingredients into a medium size bowl. Using a hand mixer or wooden spoon, mix until blended well.
- Using a cookie scoop, measure out tablespoon size balls of the cream cheese mixture and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Place the cheese balls in the refrigerator to chill for 1 to 2 hours.
- Roll the mini cheese balls in chopped pecans or other toppings of your choice.
Notes
- If you are making these cheese balls ahead of time, make each mini cheeseball and place it on the baking sheet. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and place in the fridge until you are ready to roll in the toppings and serve.
- For leftovers, store the mini cheese balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Toppings Options – roll the mini cheese balls in bacon bits, chopped walnuts, or almonds. Shredded cheese or crumbled blue cheese are great options for an extra cheesy punch. Chopped cranberries and parsley bring a holiday touch and taste at Christmas or Thanksgiving.
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