Description
These Mini Cheese Ball Bites are creamy, flavorful, and perfect for any party or holiday appetizer. Made with a smooth blend of cream cheese, sharp cheddar, and savory seasonings, then coated with a crunchy mix of fresh chives, nuts, and bacon, these bite-size snacks are easy to prepare and sure to impress your guests.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese Mixture
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons sour cream
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Coating
- ¼ cup finely chopped fresh chives
- ¼ cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts
- ¼ cup cooked and crumbled bacon
To Serve
- Pretzel sticks
Instructions
- Mix the Cheese Base: In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and evenly blended.
- Chill the Mixture: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the cheese mixture for 20 to 30 minutes. This will help it firm up, making it easier to handle when forming the balls.
- Prepare the Coating: While the cheese mixture chills, combine the finely chopped fresh chives, chopped pecans or walnuts, and crumbled cooked bacon in a shallow bowl, mixing well to create the coating.
- Form the Cheese Balls: Once the cheese mixture is firm, use a tablespoon to scoop small portions and roll each portion between your palms to form smooth, bite-sized balls.
- Coat the Cheese Balls: Roll each cheese ball in the prepared chive, nut, and bacon coating until completely covered, ensuring even distribution for maximum flavor and texture.
- Add Pretzel Sticks: Insert a pretzel stick into each coated cheese ball to serve as an easy-to-hold handle and a complementary crunchy snack.
- Serve or Store: Arrange the mini cheese ball bites on a serving platter and serve immediately, or chill them in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Notes
- These can be made a day in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator to save time.
- Swap out sharp cheddar for pepper jack, gouda, or your preferred cheese to customize flavors.
- For a nut-free alternative, replace nuts with finely crushed pretzels or crispy fried onions.
- Ensure to use gluten-free pretzels to keep this recipe gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cheese ball
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
