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    Home » Recipes

    Mini Cheese Ball Bites

    February 11, 2022 by Patti Estep Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe
    Collection of mini cheese balls with bamboo skewers on a black plate.
    Mini cheese balls on a plate.

    Have fun creating these delicious mini cheese balls with a tasty cream cheese base and a number of yummy toppings to coat them in. They are perfect for any occasion and look extra festive too.

    Mini cheese balls coated in nuts, spices and seeds on a black dish.

    This is one of those easy appetizers that's fun to make because it's not only delicious but it looks beautiful on the serving plate too.

    This post contains some affiliate links (that means if you make a purchase after clicking a link, there’s no additional cost to you, but I will earn a very small commission. ) i.e. as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.

    Cream cheese, Gouda, lemon, toasted sesame seeds, paprika, bamboo toothpicks and parsley.

    What You'll Need

    • cream cheese softened
    • Gouda cheese (shredded)
    • lemon juice and zest
    • garlic powder
    • onion powder
    • thyme
    • hot sauce
    • Coatings/Toppings - paprika, parsley, dill, toasted sesame seeds, chopped pecans
    Cream cheese, shredded Gouda and spices in a food processor.

    Making Mini Cheese Balls

    Mix up the cream cheese base with all the seasonings in a food processor. However, if you get the cream cheese nice and soft you could stir this by hand if you don't have a food processor.

    The cream cheese mixture then needs to be placed in the refrigerator to harden so that it will form nice balls.

    Cream cheese mixture made into small balls on  a white plate.

    You could use a teaspoon or a cookie scoop for each cheese ball. Roll them in the palms of your hands until they are a fairly round small ball.

    Sesame seeds toasting in a non-stick pan.

    The toppings or coatings can come in many forms. One of my favorites is toasted sesame seeds. All you need to do is place the seeds in a non-stick pan and heat them for about 3 minutes all the while shaking them around until they are golden brown on all sides.

    Other Topping or Coating Options

    • Parmesan or Romano grated cheese
    • Chopped pistachios, or walnuts
    • Black sesame seeds, poppy seeds, or everything spice blend
    • Chopped bacon or dried cranberries
    Circle of eight mini cheese balls in different color coating with bamboo toothpicks on a black plate.

    Use pretty toothpicks or something like a pretzel stick to serve the mini cheese balls.

    Mini cheese balls with bamboo toothpicks on a large white tray.

    They are so colorful and festive looking. Great for a holiday party or anytime you are having people over. Dinner parties, cocktail parties, awards night parties, holidays, or just for the heck of it.

    Patti signature

    More Great Appetizer Recipes

    • Cheesy Spinach Cups
    • Sweet Potato and Black Bean Rounds
    • Easy Steamed Shrimp
    Mini cheese balls on a black plate.

    Mini Cream Cheese Balls

    Make these mini cheese balls for your next gathering. A nice bite-sized appetizer that looks festive and tastes delicious.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 30 mins
    Total Time 30 mins
    Course Appetizer
    Cuisine American
    Servings 30
    Calories 44 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 pkgs cream cheese softened 8 oz
    • 1.5 cups of Gouda cheese shredded
    • 1 lemon - juice and zest
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1 teaspoon onion powder
    • 1 tablespoon of thyme
    • 1 teaspoon of hot sauce

    Coatings

    • paprika
    • parsley
    • dill
    • toasted sesame seeds
    • chopped pecans

    Instructions
     

    • Combine softened cream cheese, shredded gouda, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, and onion powder, thyme, and hot sauce in a food processor.
    • Blend until smooth.
    • Remove cheese mixture from the food processor into a mixing bowl and place it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
    • Take the cheese mixture out of the refrigerator and start making 1 inch balls with a cookie scoop or a teaspoon and then roll it in your hands.
    • Set out small bowls with the toppings in each such as parsley, dill, and toasted sesame seeds.
    • Roll the cheese ball in the toppings to coat.
    • Use a toothpick or pretzel stick and insert it into each cheese ball.
    • Place the coated balls on a serving tray in a pleasing order.
    • Keep refrigerated until ready to serve.

    Notes

    You can use all kinds of spices or chopped nuts for the topping coat. Used chopped bacon or dried fruit like cranberries too.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1gCalories: 44kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 2gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 8mgSodium: 64mgSugar: 1g

    Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although attempts have been made to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.

    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    About Patti Estep

    Patti is the creator of Hearth and Vine, a home and garden blog filled with projects to inspire your creative side. She loves crafting, gardening, decorating and entertaining at her home in Pennsylvania. When she is not working on a project at home or searching for treasures at nurseries and thrift stores with her girlfriends, you’ll probably find her with family and friends, at a restaurant, or home party enjoying new and different food adventures.

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