How to make a cheese ball that is extremely delicious and sure to impress your guests! Made from scratch and totally versatile, this easy cheese ball recipe is a perfect appetizer for any occasion!
This cheese ball recipe is a must have for any event, you can easily customize the flavors to suit the theme or your own tastes. We have included three basic cheese ball recipes that are not only delectable but so easy to make too.
What is a Cheese Ball?
A cheese ball is a festive and fancy dip made to be a little more firm for easy slicing and spreading on crackers. It looks impressive as a centerpiece, tastes incredible with just about anything added to it, and is always a huge hit at parties. Despite their fancy appearance, these appetizer cheese balls are actually quite simple to make and filled with basic ingredients like cheese, nuts, and cream cheese. You can add just about anything to them, and you can even adapt the recipe enough to create a dessert CHEESECAKE CHEESE BALL. With so many flavorful options available, you are going to love this recipe!
Why we think you will love this Cheese Ball Recipe!
I didn’t grow up with the traditional holiday cheese ball at parties, but upon trying them, I was immediately sold. Here are three reasons we think you will enjoy this recipe too:
- They are customizable. You can truly make the balls to suit your own family’s tastes. Add nuts, dry fruits, or shape your cheeseball into a festive and fun REINDEER CHRISTMAS CHEESEBALL for the next holiday party.
- You can prep it in advance. The great thing about this recipe is that you can make these cheese balls a day or so in advance and keep them in the fridge, ready to pull out and entertain guests at a moment’s notice.
- There’s no actual cooking required. This recipe is as easy as blending together some ingredients and shaping them into a ball. There are no ovens, stovetops, or even microwaves needed. Making them a fantastic appetizer idea, minimal prep and all the great taste!
Cheese Ball Staple Ingredients
Cream cheese: You will need 2 8-ounce sized bricks of cream cheese for the base of this recipe. This is what makes the cheeseballs creamy and rich in flavor.
Cheddar cheese: Use 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese to pack your cheeseball with a ton of great flavor.
Ranch dressing mix: Adding in 1 packet of dry ranch seasoning mix will give a great amount of seasoning in every bite.
Variations of ingredients to add to Cheese Balls
Bacon Pecan Cheese Ball
- Add in 1/4 bacon bits (I prefer real bacon bits, as opposed to the maroon colored unidentifiable crunchy things.)
- Coat the outside with 1/2 cup chopped pecans
Cranberry-Almond Cheese Ball
- Add in 1/4 chopped dried cranberries
- Coat the outside with 1/2 cup sliced almonds.
Other Tasty Options
- Add in 1/4 cup chopped green chilies and Monterey Jack cheese instead of Cheddar, rolled in pecans.
- Use 1/4 cup finely chopped ham, and 2 TBSP sliced chives rolled in walnuts.
- Try adding 1/4 cup pomegranate “seeds” and roll in almonds.
- Omit cheddar and replace with 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese. Add in 1/4 cup diced sun-dried tomatoes, roll in walnuts or pine nuts.
Step by step on how to make a Cheese Ball
Cream together ingredients
Mix all of the ingredients in a large mixing bowl using a hand mixer, or mix them in the bowl of a stand mixer until well combined. It is easier to shape the balls when you use cold cream cheese as opposed to room temperature.
Next, divide the mix into two separate bowls and add any additional ingredients you would like or keep as one flavor.
Shape your cheese ball
To shape the cheese ball, you will first need to scrape the mixture into a ball-like shape while it is still inside the bowl.
Pull out a piece of saran wrap and lay it on the counter.
Then, sprinkle about half of the nuts onto the plastic wrap in a small pile.
Use a rubber scraper to scrape the partially shaped cheese onto the top of the nuts.
Working one side at a time, cover the sides of the cheese ball with the plastic wrap and use both hands to shape it into a ball.
Unwrap the ball and press the nuts into the side. The nuts won’t stick more than one layer deep, so you can roll the ball in the nuts if desired. Use your hands to individually place nuts in the spots that are not covered.
Continue to cover the ball with plastic wrap and nuts until it takes the form of a ball but keep in mind that it does not have to be perfectly round.
Once finished, set it down with a little force to flatten out the bottom side.
Chill
When you have finished shaping your cheeseball, wrap it in plastic wrap and place it into the fridge to chill for at least a few hours, but preferably a day in advance. This will help it to set up and allow the flavors to meld.
Serve
When you are ready to serve, place the cheeseball onto a plate with crackers and a small knife for serving.
Serve and enjoy!
How to Make a Cheeseball
Ingredients
BASIC CHEESE BALL RECIPE:
- 2 8 ounce bricks Cream cheese
- 2 cups Shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 packet Dry Ranch dressing mix
BACON-PECAN Cheese Ball
- ¼ cup Bacon bits
- ½ cup Chopped pecans
CRANBERRY-ALMOND Cheese Ball
- ¼ cup Dried cranberries chopped
- ½ cup Sliced almonds
Serving crackers
- Wheat thins
- Triscuits
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients together using a hand mixer or stand mixer. It’s easier to shape the cheese if the cream cheese is still cold, so using a mixer saves your arms since it’s not an easy talk to mix cold cheese.
- Divide the mixture into 2 separate bowls or you can keep as one flavor. At this point you can add any mix-ins you'd like, here are my favorite two:
Bacon Pecan Cheeseball
- Stir in 1/4 bacon bits. Coat the outside with 1/2 cup chopped pecans {Do not mix these in!}
Cranberry Almond Cheeseball
- Add in 1/4 chopped dried cranberries. Coat the outside with 1/2 cup sliced almonds {Do not mix these in!}
Shape Cheeseballs
- To shape the cheese ball, first scrape the mixture into a ball-like shape while it’s still inside the bowl.
- Unwrap a piece of saran wrap and lay it on the counter. Sprinkle about half the nuts onto the saran wrap, in a small pile.
- Using a rubber scraper, scrape out the semi-shaped ball of cheese onto the top of the nuts. Now, working with one side at a time, cover the mound of cheese with a section of saran wrap and start to shape it into a ball. Just use your hands- sometimes I cover the whole thing and use both my hands to shape it.
- Unwrap it and start pressing nuts into the side. For the sliced almonds, just start placing them on to cover the outside. They won't stick more than one layer deep, so you can roll it around in them a bit, then just individually place them where there are sections missing.
- For the chopped pecans, I find it’s easier to cover and shape one side, then pick up the cheese ball, sprinkle more nuts on the saran wrap and turn the cheese ball over, covering the other side. Pick it up and roll it through the nuts again to coat around the middle section.
- All the while you can continue to cover the cheese ball with sections of the plastic wrap and shape it into a ball. I say ball, but you really don’t want it to be perfectly round since it needs to sit on a plate! So do the best to make it circular, then set it down with a little more force, flattening one side.
- When you’re satisfied with your cheese ball, wrap the entire thing in plastic wrap. Here’s the funny thing- I personally like cheese balls more when the flavors have had a chance to meld. So plan on making these at least a day in advance. {You can make them even up to a week in advance- just store them sealed in a freezer bag in the fridge! }
- When you’re ready to serve, put the cheese ball on a plate surrounded with crackers and a small knife for serving.
- I like different kinds of crackers, but I find smaller, square crackers look the best on serving trays. {Think Triscuits or Wheat Thins!}
Notes
Variations
-
Add in 1/4 cup chopped, green chiles and Monterey Jack cheese instead of Cheddar, rolled in pecans.
-
Add in 1/4 cup finely chopped ham and 2 TBSP sliced chives, rolled in walnuts,
-
Add in 1/4 cup pomegranate “seeds” and roll in almonds.
-
Omit cheddar and replace with 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese. Add in 1/4 cup diced sun dried tomatoes, roll in walnuts or Pine Nuts.
Nutrition
How far in advance can I make a cheeseball?
You can keep your cheese ball contained in a sealed freezer bag in your fridge for up to 1 week, giving you plenty of time to make them in advance of a party or event. This also gives you time to slowly eat the cheeseball by yourself as a late evening snack.
What do I serve with cheeseballs?
You can serve so many different things with cheeseballs, but my favorite is crackers. I like all different kinds of crackers, but I find that the smaller the cracker, the better they look on serving trays. Square crackers like Triscuits or Wheat Thins are currently my favorite for entertaining.
How long can a cheeseball sit out?
For food safety reasons, you should not allow this cheeseball or any cheeseballs to sit at room temperature for more than two hours at a time. Since this recipe makes 2 balls, I recommend placing one out for guests to enjoy while the other sits in the fridge, and as the two-hour mark approaches, you can rotate them.
Can I freeze a cheese ball?
Yes, you can freeze these cheeseballs in airtight containers in the freezer for up to 1 month. Then let them thaw overnight in the fridge before use.
Try these other great easy appetizer recipes!
- LEMON CHIFFON DIP
- CROCKPOT SWEET AND SOUR MEATBALLS
- PEANUT BUTTER APPLE DIP
- BACON WRAPPED CHICKEN TENDERS
- GREEN CHILE BEAN DIP
- ASPARAGUS CRESCENT ROLLS
- CAPRESE POPS
- EASY FRIED CHEESE STRAWS
- BACON CHEDDAR DEVILED EGGS
- EASY BIG MAC BITES
- EASY RANCH SAUSAGE ROLLS
- OVEN-BAKED CHICKEN WINGS
Made from scratch and filled with possibilities, you’re going to love learning how to make a cheese ball. This easy party appetizer is sure to impress your guests.
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