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    Home » Recipes » Appetizers » BEST Cheeseball you will ever make!

    BEST Cheeseball you will ever make!

    February 19, 2022 By Chandice | 26 Comments | Updated March 19, 2022

    this post may contain affiliate links

    JUMP TO RECIPE
    BEST Cheeseball Ever! pin

    Our best cheeseball recipe is an easy appetizer for any gathering. Make in minutes and serve with buttery crackers, pita chips, or your favorite bread.

    Cheesy and easy recipes like this homemade cheese ball make classic holiday appetizers! Everyone loves a cheese ball, charcuterie board, or fondue as a starter!

    BEST cheeseball on a serving spoon in hand

    I love serving this easy, best cheese ball because it truly is one of the most delicious appetizers ever! The first time she made a good cheese ball, everyone gobbled it up right after she set it out!

    My mom has to make at least two of these best cheese balls, and they aren’t small, for Thanksgiving appetizers every year. They are gobbled up just as soon as she can put them out.

    Truly, our family looks forward to this appetizer more than any other. Well, this and our instant pot artichoke dip that is.

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    What is a cheeseball made of?

    A homemade cheeseball is typically made out of sharp cheddar cheese, blue cheese, sour cream, cream cheese, and other simple ingredients. The cheese mixture is going to differ depending on personal preference.

    As for non-cheesy ingredients, Worcestershire sauce, bacon bits, pretzel sticks, nuts, black olives, and even poppy seeds are all popular additions to a cheese ball! The best cheeseball ever is made using very few and simple ingredients but it is the best recipe!

    And if you can’t get enough cheese, you are going to love this easy Mexican street corn smothered in cojita!

    Do you have to use shrimp?

    My husband would never voluntarily eat shrimp but this cheeseball is one of his favorite appetizers. Believe me when I say that it will make a shrimp believer out of anyone!

    While not big and grand, the secret ingredient of baby shrimp is slightly salty and mild in flavor. Even if your not a big seafood fan, when added to the best cheese ball it makes it extra delicious!

    With that being said, if you don’t like shrimp, crispy BACON works great! Just cook it up and crumble then add it in place of the shrimp.

    You can also add green onions as well! Serve this make ahead appetizer up at your next party for a crowd pleaser everyone will love.

    BEST cheeseball on wood platter with crackers

    What you need to make the best cheeseball ever

    For the cheese ball mixture, you’re going to need cheddar cheese, cream cheese, garlic powder (or garlic salt), baby shrimp, and a few other simple ingredients.

    Feel free to add bacon bits, black olives, poppy seeds, or other common cheeseball ingredients to this simple recipe. Bagel seasoning would be another great addition to this delicious cheese ball!

    Cheddar Cheese

    You can use another type of cheese that you prefer over cheddar cheese. Colby jack, American, and even fiesta blend would all work just fine.

    Crushed Nuts

    Walnuts are the best type of nut to use in a cheeseball but pecans also work. Walnuts have such a simple flavor and texture that blends well with the other ingredients.

    • cream cheese
    • chives
    • onion
    • garlic salt
    • parsley
    • lemon juice

    How to make it

    • Mix everything together in a medium bowl
    • Crush nuts on wax paper
    • In a mixing bowl, roll the cheese ball into nuts until completely covered
    • Refrigerate overnight
    • Remove from the refrigerator at least 10 minutes before serving

    Pro tip: Next time you need to chop nuts, place them in a blender for a food processor for a quick and easy way to chop them!

    How long does it take for a cheeseball to set?

    Wrap your cheeseball in cling wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of 1 hour. I recommend refrigerating overnight if you have time.

    Before serving, remove from fridge and set at room temperature 20 minutes before serving. This is a great way to let your cheeseball soften a little bit.

    Can you freeze cream cheese balls?

    Yes you can freeze cheeseballs wrapped in a piece of plastic wrap or stored in an airtight container. Do note, that cheese has a tendency to dry out after it has been frozen so serve fresh for best results.

    How long is a cheeseball good for?

    You can store a cheeseball in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Although, make sure that your cheeseball doesn’t sit at room temperature for more than 4 hours to preserve freshness.

    If you like this best cheeseball ever, then you will also love these other appetizers…

    • Gluten-Free Charcuterie and Cheeseboard
    • Instant Pot Artichoke Dip
    • Gluten-Free Fried Ravioli
    • Guacamole Stuffed Tater Tot Bacon Bombs
    BEST cheeseball on a wood platter with crackers

    If you need a dairy-free cheeseball, I highly recommend this vegan party cheeseball from my friend Erin at Meaningful Eats. I can eat dairy and still love hers!

    Need an EASY and delicious breakfast, lunch, dinner or dessert?
    Take a look at my Sheet Pan Meals and More!

    NEED MORE GOODNESS? Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter for great recipes, entertaining ideas and more!

    BEST Cheeseball

    BEST Cheeseball Ever on a serving spoon in hand
    4.86 from 35 votes
    Our best cheeseball is perfect for any gathering. The secret ingredient in this cheese ball will shock you but it truly gives it the amazing flavor it has!
    PRINT RECIPE SAVE RECIPESaved!
    Prep Time: 5 mins
    Cook Time: 5 mins
    Total Time: 10 mins
    Course: Appetizer
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: cheese, cheese ball, cheeseball, gluten-free
    Servings: 24 servings
    Calories: 109kcal
    Author: Chandice Probst

    Ingredients

    • 16 ounces cream cheese
    • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
    • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
    • 1/2 teaspoon onion chopped finely
    • 1 teaspoon garlic salt
    • 1 1/2 teaspoon chives or green onions
    • 1 tablespoon parsley
    • 1 tablespoon organic mayonnaise
    • 4 ounces can baby shrimp (drained) or crumbled cooked bacon
    • 1/2 cup Crushed nuts of your choice I like pecans or walnuts

    Instructions

    • Mix everything together in a large bowl
    • Crush nuts on wax paper
    • Roll the cheese ball into nuts until completely covered
    • Refrigerate overnight
    • Remove from the refrigerator at least 10 minutes before serving

    Video

    Notes

    Pro tip: Next time you need to chop nuts, place them in a blender for a food processor for a quick and easy way to chop them!
    How long is a cheeseball good for?
    You can store a cheeseball in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Although, make sure that your cheeseball doesn’t sit at room temperature for more than 4 hours to preserve freshness.
    Do you have to use shrimp?
    The secret ingredient of baby shrimp is slightly salty and mild in flavor. Even if your not a big seafood fan, when added to the best cheese ball it makes it extra delicious!
    With that being said, if you don’t like shrimp, crispy BACON works great! Just cook it up and crumble then add it in place of the shrimp.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 109kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 32mg | Sodium: 218mg | Potassium: 55mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 324IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 57mg | Iron: 1mg

    This recipe was originally published on March 19, 2012 with this photo…oh how far we’ve come!

    IMG_2691

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    Filed Under: Appetizers, Thanksgiving Dinner Tagged With: appetizers, cheese ball

    Chandice of This Vivacious Life

    Hi, I'm Chandice!

    Parties, gatherings, gorgeous food and ESPECIALLY holidays with my people are what make my heart pitter patter. Having a place to share our favorite traditions, recipes and celebrations is very important to me. I live each day with unapologetic, authentic happiness and hope to help others do the same. More About Chandice

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Natalie says

      February 28, 2022 at 9:35 am

      5 stars
      I had guests last weekend. I made this cheesball. It was delicious! Everyone loved it. Thanks for the recipe. I’ll keep it and make it again for sure.

      Reply
    2. Amy Liu Dong says

      February 28, 2022 at 8:08 am

      5 stars
      This recipe looks really good when served and is tasty, yum!

      Reply
    3. Brianna says

      February 27, 2022 at 9:28 pm

      5 stars
      Made this for my book club and it was a hit! Not one bit was left and a few people asked for the recipe.

      Reply
    4. Alex says

      February 27, 2022 at 7:52 pm

      I definitely need to make this again! Such yummy ingredients and super easy. I don’t know if I’ll be able to share, though. 😉

      Reply
    5. Erin says

      February 27, 2022 at 7:23 pm

      I can’t wait to make this again! They’re so great for parties or movie nights.

      Reply
    6. Aya says

      February 27, 2022 at 5:57 pm

      This is perfect for parties and gatherings, so I made it for game night the other day, and it was a HIT! Everyone loved it, and it was so effortless to make. Thank you!

      Reply
    7. Linda says

      February 27, 2022 at 5:37 am

      5 stars
      I tried adding baby shrimp and now I’m hooked! So much fun in every scoop

      Reply
    8. Beth says

      February 27, 2022 at 4:45 am

      5 stars
      I can see that the shrimp or the bacon would add so much flavor to a cheese ball. What a great idea for entertaining!

      Reply
    9. Tristin says

      February 26, 2022 at 4:36 pm

      5 stars
      This turned out bigger than I expected and was so flavorful! Everyone loved it!

      Reply
    10. Heidy says

      February 26, 2022 at 10:39 am

      5 stars
      This cheeseball recipe was outstanding! I loved all the flavors, and so did my husband. I am making a few more to take to my friend’s party! This recipe is a keeper in my book! I bet it flys off the buffet table in no time!

      Reply
    11. Gloria says

      February 21, 2022 at 3:57 pm

      5 stars
      Always a hit at any party. So easy to make. Always love the presentation too.

      Reply
      • Chandice says

        February 22, 2022 at 4:15 am

        Thanks Gloria, I always love serving it at parties too! 🙂

        Reply
    12. Lesley says

      November 15, 2021 at 4:13 am

      Do you know if this cheeseball would have enough seasoning in it to be really good without the shrimp? I’m deathly allergic to shellfish but this looks really good. Just wondering if anybody has ever made it without the shrimp.

      Reply
      • Chandice says

        November 16, 2021 at 3:30 am

        I highly recommend adding freshly cooked, cooled and crumbled bacon instead 🙂

        Reply
    13. Tanalee says

      November 01, 2021 at 1:56 pm

      5 stars
      Our family loves this cheese ball! Such a hit with everyone. It’s great that it can be made a couple days ahead of time and refrigerated until the day of the event.

      Reply
      • Chandice says

        November 01, 2021 at 8:32 pm

        Definitely! I’ve got one in my fridge right now. 🙂

        Reply
      • Teralee Williams says

        November 15, 2021 at 7:18 pm

        5 stars
        We’ve eaten this cheese ball of Chandice’s for years! And love it! Such a hit at all the parties!

        Reply
        • Chandice says

          November 16, 2021 at 3:29 am

          Thanks, it is definitely a favorite 🙂

    14. Jenessa says

      October 26, 2021 at 8:10 pm

      5 stars
      This is the best cheeseball ever! I can’t wait to make it for the Holidays this year, its always a hit!

      Reply
      • Chandice says

        October 27, 2021 at 4:06 am

        Thanks Jenessa, it is my favorite for sure!!

        Reply
    15. Ruth says

      October 26, 2021 at 3:22 pm

      5 stars
      I made this cheeseball this weekend and we all devoured it! I’ll be making it for Thanksgiving too. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Chandice says

        October 26, 2021 at 5:52 pm

        Thanks Ruth, it is our favorite too!

        Reply
    16. Boston James Besendorfer says

      October 26, 2021 at 3:25 am

      5 stars
      Super yummy great party snack

      Reply
      • Chandice says

        October 26, 2021 at 3:40 am

        Thanks, we think so too! 🙂

        Reply
    17. Sydney Wynne says

      January 06, 2019 at 2:29 am

      5 stars
      We made this cheese ball for New Years Eve, it was soooo good! I kept coming back for more and more.

      Reply
    18. Julie says

      November 24, 2009 at 12:51 am

      one of the greatest things about Thanksgiving!

      Reply

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    Chandice of This Vivacious Life

    Hi there, I’m Chandice!

    I love sharing ways to live more vivaciously! Celebrate life with us through unforgettable gluten-free recipes, easy mocktails and everyday entertaining ideas…

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