Quick and easy mini cheese balls recipe, ready in 30 minutes, using simple ingredients. They are a creamy bite sized appetizer with many topping options.
*Thank you Jewel-Osco for sponsoring today's post so that I can share this mini cheese balls recipe with all of you. As always, all opinions are mine.*
There is something about bite sized treats like these simple mini cheese balls (bites) that are FUN to make and even more fun to eat.
If you are planning your Christmas menu, make sure these are INCLUDED!
I highly suggest making a BIG batch because they won't last long! heheh.
The BEST thing about these mini cheese balls is that you can get very CREATIVE with toppings.
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You can make these savory mini cheese balls with the following toppings:
- Cranberries
- Coconut
- Pistachios
- Almonds
- Cashews
- Pecans
- Walnuts
- Cilantro
- Dill
- Tarragon
- Basil
- Bacon (I believe that mini bacon cheese balls are probably the most popular!)
- Parsley
You can either make a platter of these cheese bites with just one topping OR do what I did...
Make a platter of mini cheese ball bites with multiple different toppings and this way, your guests will have more CHOICES and have a chance to try more flavors.
Some people like to serve a BIG GIANT cheese ball but I find this mini version to be so much easier to eat, while walking around and mingling with family and friends.
Here are some TIPS for making mini cheese balls on a stick:
- OIL your hands when forming balls to prevent them from sticking to your hands and making a mess.
- TOASTING pistachios, coconut and sesame seeds really enhances the flavor.
- Insert the pretzel sticks into the cheese balls, just prior to serving to PREVENT them from becoming soggy.
- DON'T forget to chill the cheese mixture because that makes it easier to handle and easier to shape into balls.
- To make sweet mini cheese balls, omit all the spices and add powdered sugar, according to your preference. Chill and then roll them in chopped nuts instead of herbs. These are great as a bite sized dessert or snack.
- To make fried mini cheese balls, prepare a simple flour mixture and dip each chilled cheese ball into this batter and fry for a few minutes until golden brown. Serve immediately.
How to make mini cheese balls?
Start off by mixing together, cream cheese, shredded mozzarella cheese, butter, spices. Chill this mixture so that it's easier to handle. Use a spoon to scoop out small portions and shape into balls. Roll them in your choice of toppings. Chill and insert a pretzel stick into each ball, prior to serving. Enjoy!
I used many O Organics® products in this recipe: mozzarella cheese, shredded coconut, cream cheese, dried cranberries and butter.
They are available in my area EXCLUSIVELY at Jewel-Osco and the quality is top notch.
Typically, organic products are expensive but I am fond of these O Organics products because the prices are so affordable.
I LOVE shopping at Jewel-Osco and it's one of my favorite grocery stores.
It's located near my house and has everything I am looking for and if I can't find something, the management is very helpful, which I really appreciate.
Best of all, they offer home delivery service now and I tried it last week and fell in LOVE immediately.
It was a such a time-saver and I can order from anywhere and pick a time when I want them to make the delivery... Super CONVENIENT!
If you don't have a Jewel-Osco in your area, you can also find O Organics products at any of the Albertsons Companies family of stores: Albertsons, Safeway, Acme Markets, Vons, Pavillions, Randalls, Tom Thumb, Shaw's, Star Market, United Express, United and Csrrs/Safeway.
I also had the opportunity to attend the Jewel-Osco Holiday kick-off event about a month ago with a lovely group of food bloggers. It was a wonderful hands-on experience, where we learnt about entertaining guests through easy decor ideas and delicious recipes. My favorite part was the feast that all of us enjoyed together, which was packed with food all of us had made in the Jewel-Osco test kitchens. It was amazing to see all of our ideas coming together. While there, I realized how important it is to have handy bite-sized recipes at any event you host because it allows you to walk around the room, chatting and catching up with friends.
Well, that's all for today.
If you liked this recipe for mini cheeseballs, you may like of these other easy appetizer recipes too:
Recipe
Mini Cheese Balls (Bites)
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Ingredients
- 16 oz Cream cheese Full fat
- ½ cup Mozzarella cheese Shredded
- 2 tablespoon Butter Unsalted, Room temperature
- Salt To taste
- ¼ teaspoon Pepper
- ¼ teaspoon Paprika
- ¼ teaspoon Garlic powder
- 30 Pretzel sticks Mini
Toppings
- ½ cup Coconut Unsweetened, Shredded
- ½ cup Pistachios Roughly chopped
- ¼ cup Dill Finely chopped
- ¼ cup Tarragon Finely sliced
- ½ cup Sesame seeds Lightly toasted
- ½ cup Cranberries Roughly chopped
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, add cream cheese, butter, mozzarella cheese, salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and mix everything until smooth.
- Chill mixture for 15 minutes in the freezer.
- Oil your hands.
- Scoop out small portions of the mixture and roll them into balls.
- Then, roll them in your choice of toppings.
- Place these mini cheese bites on a serving platter and push a pretzel stick in the center right before serving. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Read all my tips above.
- Leftovers can be stored in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Be sure to discard the pretzel sticks before storing them because they will become very soggy.
Nutrition
An automated tool is used to calculate the nutritional information. As such, I cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information provided for any recipe on this site.
Until next time, tata my lovelies!
Jen
I love this idea of having these in mini form! Such an easier way to serve them at a party!!
Abeer Rizvi
Yes! It's so much more easier to eat these while mingling with family and friends.
Dee
This would be perefect for our annual holiday party!
Abeer Rizvi
Yay! Let me know if you have any questions.
Kimberly
These are so cute and so perfect for entertaining!
Abeer Rizvi
Absolutely...Happy entertaining!
carrie
I am loving all of the variations on this! Such a fun appetizer for a holiday party.
Abeer Rizvi
Oh yes! There is something in this platter to please everyone!
Amanda
I love the idea of mini cheese balls... so perfect for parties!
Abeer Rizvi
Absolutely! And who doesn't love anything bite-sized... Right?!
Paula
Are the nutritional facts for one cheese ball?
Abeer Rizvi
There are 30 servings in total and that's the nutritional value per ball, according to the calculator I used.