Mini Cheese Ball Bites

5 from 3 votes

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!

Course Appetizer, Snack

Cuisine American, Christmas, Holiday, North American, Thanksgiving

Keyword Mini Cheese Ball Bites, Mini Cheese Balls, Mini Cheeseballs

Prep Time 15

Chilling Time 2

Total Time 2 15

Servings servings

Calories 162kcal

Author Chrissie

Equipment

Ingredients

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

For the cranberry pecan cheese balls:

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

For the bacon ranch cheese balls:

1 tablespoon ranch seasoning
1/3 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
1/3 cup chopped bacon
1 tablespoon chopped chives

For the honey sesame cheese balls:

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoon honey
1/3 cup feta cheese crumbled
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon salt

For rolling:

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 OR use a mixture of black and white sesame seeds
30 small pretzel sticks for serving

US Customary - Metric

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 (if desired).
Divide this mixture evenly between 3 bowls: one bowl will be for the cranberry pecan cheese balls, one will be for the bacon ranch cheese balls, and the other will be for the honey sesame cheese balls.
Into the first bowl, add the chopped dried cranberries, chopped pecans, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt.
Into the second bowl, add the ranch seasoning, parmesan cheese, bacon, and chives.
Into the third bowl, add the Worcestershire sauce, honey, feta cheese, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt.
Stir each mixture well to combine. Cover each mixture and refrigerate for about 2-3 hours or until the mixtures become firm enough to roll.
Prepare a baking sheet or cutting board lined with parchment paper.
Prepare the ingredients for rolling on the outside of the cheese balls in three more small bowls. Combine the dried cranberries and pecans in one, the bacon and chives in another, and the everything bagel seasoning in the last. Set these aside.
Using a cookie scoop or a tablespoon, scoop out about one tablespoon of the chilled cranberry pecan cheese ball mixture and roll it in your hands to form a ball. Roll the mini cheese ball in the chopped cranberries and pecans, and set the mini cheese ball on the prepared pan or board. Repeat with the other mini cheese balls until the mixture is gone (you should get about 10 mini cheese balls for each flavour).
Repeat this process with the other flavours, rolling the balls and dipping them in the correct coating for that flavour.
Chill the cheese balls in the fridge for about 2 more hours or overnight. If chilling for more than 2 hours, we recommend covering the cheese balls with plastic wrap to keep them fresh.
Before serving, place a pretzel stick into each mini cheese ball and serve on your favourite serving platter or cheese board.

Video

Notes

Make- Ahead Instructions

These cheese balls keep in the fridge wrapped in plastic wrap for about 1 week or in the freezer for about 1 month (defrost in the fridge before serving).

Storage Instructions

Once assembled, store in the fridge for up to one week before serving (3 days for best results).

Freezer Instructions

If you're planning to freeze them, we recommend rolling them in the coating right before serving, once the cheese balls have thawed for ideal texture.

Nutrition