January 19, 2023
Review RecipeMini Cheeseball Bites
These mini cheeseball bites with pretzel sticks are a great idea for holiday parties and other special occasions any time of year. Creamy, cheesy and flavorful, you will love all the possibilities for these little appetizers.
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These delightful mini cheeseball bites are such fun to serve at a holiday party and are beyond simple to make. Starting with a creamy, cheesy filling, this recipe will give you plenty of ideas to make a variety of flavors just by changing up the sweet or savory toppings.
We love making finger foods for parties. Check out our favorite appetizers including pull apart pigs in a blanket and stuffed mushrooms.
MINI CHEESEBALL BITES INGREDIENTS
You’ll need:
For the Cheeseballs
- 2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup freshly shredded white sharp cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons salted sweet cream butter, softened
- 1 tablespoon horseradish sauce
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
For the Toppings
- ½ cup finely chopped green onion
- ½ cup chopped dried cranberries
- ½ cup chopped sliced almonds
- ½ cup finely chopped pecans
- 5 slices cooked, finely chopped bacon bits
- 30 pretzel sticks
PRO TIP:
Do not use thick-sliced bacon for these mini cream cheese ball bites. Center cut works best because it is less fatty and not too thick to mix with the cream cheese. I like to pre-chop my raw bacon into thin slices before cooking it. I find it cooks a little faster and also yields more evenly sized bacon crumbles.
SUBSTITUTIONS AND ADDITIONS
SPICE: If you want a spicier cheeseball, you can add a teaspoon of hot sauce to the cheese mixture before chilling.
CHEESE: You can substitute a different cheese in the cheeseball. Any freshly shredded cheese including mozzarella cheese or Monterey Jack cheese are also tasty choices. What about adding blue cheese crumbles for a tangy twist?
CREAM CHEESE: Regular or light cream cheese would both work in this perfect party appetizer.
PRETZELS: You could use any type of hard pretzel or small hard breadstick for serving these easy appetizers.
HOW TO MAKE THIS MINI CHEESEBALL BITES RECIPE
STEP ONE: Using a stand mixer, or a medium bowl and a hand mixer on medium-high, beat the softened cream cheese and butter for 1 minute.
PRO TIP:
Make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature or you will end up with lumps in your cheeseball mixture.
STEP TWO: Add the cheddar cheese, horseradish sauce, and Worcestershire sauce. Continue mixing on medium speed until well combined.
STEP THREE: Tightly cover the bowl and chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
PRO TIP:
Don’t skip the chilling step as you need to have the mixture slightly firm to be able to roll it into a ball.
STEP FOUR: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set it aside.
STEP FIVE: Using a 1 tablespoon cookie scoop, scoop out the cheese mixture. Form cream cheese mixture into a ball and set it on the prepared baking sheet.
STEP SIX: Once all of the cheese mixture has been scooped and balled, roll balls in the different toppings until the cheeseballs are completely coated. Return the coated cheeseballs to the baking sheet pan.
STEP SEVEN: Just before serving, stick a pretzel stick into the center of the cheeseball.
HOW TO SERVE
This easy party appetizer would be a huge hit at your New Year’s Eve festivities. Add a few festive cocktails including our Grinch punch and Jolly Rancher drink to wow your guests with your amazing culinary and bartending skills.
MORE APPETIZER RECIPES
STORAGE
IN THE FRIDGE: Store any leftovers of these fun appetizers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Remove the pretzel sticks from the top of each cheese ball before storing them. The pretzel sticks will get soggy if left in the cheeseball.
These creamy, bite-sized mini cheeseballs are a must the next time you host a party. These are so creamy and flavorful that you will find it hard to stop snacking. There are infinite possibilities for what you can use for toppings depending on your preference.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can I make this cheeseball recipe ahead of time?
These delicious appetizers are perfect to make the day before. Store them in an airtight container and keep them in the fridge for up to 24 hours before serving.
Can I mix in other ingredients with the cream cheese and cheddar cheese?
The cheeseball ingredients are entirely customizable. If you would like to add other ingredients such as other spices, herbs or cheese, give it a try.
Can I add other types of cheese to the cheeseballs?
Any cheese blend or type of shredded cheese can be used in these mini cheeseball bites on a stick.
MORE RECIPES YOU’LL LOVE
- Roast Beef Sliders
- Cowboy Caviar
- Stuffed Peppers
- Chicken Hand Pies
- Pretzel Bites (with Cheddar Sauce)
- Ritz Cracker Chicken
- Cheese Sticks
- Pigs in a Blanket
Mini Cheeseball Bites
These mini cheeseball bites with pretzel sticks are a great idea for holiday parties and other special occasions any time of year. Creamy, cheesy and flavorful, you will love all the possibilities for these little appetizers.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 30 cheeseballs
Ingredients
Cheeseballs
- 16 ounces cream cheese softened (two 8-ounce packages)
- 1 cup white sharp cheddar cheese freshly shredded
- 2 tablespoons salted sweet cream butter softened
- 1 tablespoon horseradish sauce
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Toppings
- ½ cup green onion finely chopped
- ½ cup dried cranberries chopped
- ½ cup almonds chopped sliced
- ½ cup pecans finely chopped
- 5 slices cooked bacon finely chopped
- 30 pretzel sticks
Instructions
- Using a stand mixer, or a medium-sized mixing bowl and a handheld mixer on medium-high, beat the cream cheese and butter for 1 minute.
- Add the cheddar cheese, horseradish sauce, and Worcestershire sauce. Continue mixing on medium speed until well combined.
- Tightly cover the bowl and chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set it aside.
- Using a 1 tablespoon cookie scoop, scoop out the cheese mixture. Roll it into a ball and set it on the prepared baking sheet.
- Once all of the cheese mixture has been scooped and balled, roll the cheese balls in the different toppings until the cheeseballs are completely coated. Return the coated cheeseballs to the baking sheet.
- Just before serving, stick the pretzel sticks into the center of the cheeseball.
Video
Notes
PRO TIP: Do not use thick-sliced bacon for these mini cream cheese ball bites. Center cut works best because it is less fatty and not too thick to mix with the cream cheese. I like to pre-chop my raw bacon into thin slices before cooking it. I find it cooks a little faster and also yields more evenly sized bacon crumbles.
PRO TIP: Make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature or you will end up with lumps in your cheeseball mixture.
PRO TIP: Don’t skip the chilling step as you need to have the mixture slightly firm to be able to roll it into a ball.
Nutrition
Calories: 114kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 24mg | Sodium: 113mg | Potassium: 64mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 282IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 52mg | Iron: 1mg
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Comments
Macy says
Super cute and tasty! Perfect festive addition to any party.
Deb Carmicheal says
Made these for a Bridal Shower, they were a hit. Very yummy, too. I got rave reviews and asked for the recipe.