Everyone loves a cheese ball... but turning it into Mini Chees Ball Bites makes it even better! These mini versions are perfectly portioned, easy to serve, and guaranteed to be the first things gone from the appetizer table. They're fun, flavorful, and a must-have appetizer for any party or holiday gathering!
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Looking for more easy-to-serve, shareable bites? Check out my crispy bacon wrapped jalapeño poppers, my Montana's copycat antojitos and my ultra cheesy stuffed mushrooms!
Why You'll Love These Mini Cheese Ball Bites
- Cheese ball bites are perfect for parties, appetizer boards or any holiday gathering!
- Bite-sized cheese balls are easy to serve, eat, and look great on party platters.
- Mini cheese ball bites are easy to make and are make-ahead friendly.
- Include these delicious little bites in a homemade lunchable box!
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Ingredients You'll Need
- Cream Cheese - Use full-fat cream cheese for the best flavor and texture.
- Sharp Cheddar Cheese - Can be substituted for any shredded cheese. Sharper cheeses with a more intense flavor give the cheese balls a better taste.
- Shallots - Can be substituted for thinly sliced scallions (green onions) or red onions.
- Pretzel Sticks - Alternatively, the cheese ball bites can be served with crackers or smushed between two large pretzels.
For exact quantities and the full list of ingredients, see the recipe card below.
Recipe Modifications and Variations
- Add Some Spice - add chili pepper flakes or extra cayenne pepper into the cream cheese mixture.
- Everything Bagel - add everything bagel seasoning to the pecans and use it to coat the cheese ball bites.
- Cranberry Pecan - add ½ cup of finely diced dried cranberries to the pecans before coating the cheese balls.
- Bacon Ranch Cheese Balls - add 1 package of Hidden Valley Ranch mix to the cream cheese mixture.
- Smoky Jalapeño - add 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika and ¼ cup diced jalapeños to the cream cheese mixture, like my bacon wrapped jalapeño poppers.
- Shape these mini cheese ball appetizers in different shapes for different holidays, for example, shape them like footballs for a game day appetizer!
How To Make Mini Cheese Ball Bites
Step 1
In a large mixing bowl with a hand mixer, combine the cream cheese, cheddar cheese, shallot, bacon, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, garlic powder, parsley, and cayenne pepper.
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Step 2
Using a 1 Tablespoon cookie scoop, portion the cheese ball into balls. Rolling them to shape, this recipe makes 17-18 individual cheese balls.
After the cheese balls are all shaped, add the chopped pecans to a large, flat bowl. Roll the cheese balls in the pecans to fully coat each ball.
Step 3
Refrigerate for at least an hour before serving. Right before serving, add one pretzel stick to the center of each cheese ball bite. Waiting to add the pretzels ensures they do not go soggy.
Expert Tips
- If the cream cheese mixture is sticky while you are shaping the cheese balls, pop it into the refrigerator for 15-30 minutes to let it firm up for easier shaping.
- Wear disposable food-safe gloves to shape the cheese balls for less stickiness and easier clean up.
- Get creative and roll the cheese balls in fried onions, extra bacon bits, chives or fresh parsley! We also have a ton of variation ideas to change up the flavor of this recipe above.
How To Store Bites
Store cheese ball bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To avoid the pretzel sticks from going soggy, add them just before serving the cheese balls.
Frequently Asked Questions
No! Any chopped nuts or toppings can be used to coat the cheese balls. Roasted almonds, honey roasted cashews or walnuts can be used!
Yes! There are a variety of other toppings to roll the cheese balls in, like fried onions, diced cranberries, fresh parsley, and even extra bacon bits with shredded cheese!
Cheese balls can be made up to 3 days in advance if stored properly.
Add the pretzel sticks right before serving. This ensures that the pretzels don't absorb extra moisture and go soggy in storage.
No, these mini cheese ball bites should be served chilled. But if you are looking for warm cheese-based appetizer recipes, you have to try my warm spinach and artichoke dip, my camembert roti and my sun-dried tomato roasted garlic baked brie!
Account for 2 bites per person for a party.
More Make-Ahead Appetizer Recipes
Looking for more easy make-ahead appetizers like this? Try these:
These cheese ball bites are a part of our 12 Days of Christmas Series - Season 3, and make sure you don't miss Day 12: Strawberry Nutella Cheesecakes! 🎁
If you made these Mini Cheese Ball Bites or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating, a 💬 comment and share it on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook!
📖 Recipe
Mini Cheese Ball Bites
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Print Recipe Pin RecipeIngredients
- 1 (8oz) Brick Cream Cheese
- 1 cup Sharp Cheddar Cheese shredded
- 5 pieces Bacon cooked and finely chopped
- 1 medium Shallot grated
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire Sauce
- 2 cloves Garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon Parsley Flakes
- ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
- Dash Cayenne Pepper
- 1 ¼ cup Pecans finely chopped
- 18 Pretzel Sticks
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, using a hand mixer, combine the cream cheese, shredded cheese, bacon, shallot, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, parsley, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper. Mix on medium until all of the ingredients are fully combined.
- Using a 1 Tablespoon cookie scoop, portion the cheese ball bites and roll them into balls. In a large flat bowl, add the pecans (or any toppings you want to use) and roll each ball in the toppings to coat it completely.
- Refrigerate the cheese balls for a minimum of 1 hour before serving. Right before serving the cheese ball bites, add 1 pretzel stick to the top of each, pressing it in so it resembles a lollipop.
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Notes
- These mini cheese ball bites can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Add the pretzel sticks right before serving to avoid them going soggy in storage.
- Use everything bagel seasoning, cranberries, and even fried onions to top the cheese balls. See our extensive list of cheese ball flavor variations here.
- If the cream cheese mixture is sticky while shaping the cheese balls, pop it into the refrigerator for 15-30 minutes to let it firm up.
- Use food-safe disposable gloves to shape the cheese balls for easy clean up and to prevent stickiness.
- Account for 2 mini cheese ball bites per person for a party!
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided is an estimate based on an online nutrition calculator and it will vary based on the ingredients that you use.
Jessica says
Cheese ball has been a long-loved family recipe. With this recipe, I just transformed the traditional cheese ball into individual bites! They taste incredible, are perfect for parties, and are so easy to make!