Mini Cheeseballs

These mini cheeseballs are yummy little bites of deliciousness. They make for easy appetizers that are great for your next party.

They are a fun take on a traditional cheese ball, which is usually much bigger. The great thing about this recipe is that guests can grab the cheese and go. Plus, that is one less utensil you will have to wash!

 

I love throwing parties because they are the perfect time to catch up with friends and family while munching on delicious foods. You also make amazing memories at parties, which are the best party favor of all.

Growing up, we always had wonderful holidays, and I look at those memories fondly. I love to create memories with my family and friends that we can reminisce on forever. Many of them include food and tasty recipes.

We have these gluten free Super Bowl snacks every year, so our kiddos always look forward to the Super Bowl. Another tradition we have is our Galentine's Mom and Me party. My daughter and I look forward to this also.

But you don't have to throw a party just to make memories. Memories can be made by baking classic chocolate chip cookies or our chocolate chip cheeseball.

These mini cheese ball bites are a classic appetizer, like our baked brie with jam, that is a popular choice for holiday parties. They have a variety of flavors that your party guests will absolutely love.

But if you love a traditional cheeseball, this best cheeseball recipe, beef cheeseball and our pineapple cheeseball recipes are great. Plus, you can prep it in advance to save yourself some time in the kitchen. Serve with gluten free crackers or your favorite veggies and you’re ready to go! 

Why you should make this recipe

• These cheeseballs are yummy finger foods that are perfect for serving at a holiday party (think New Year's Eve) or really any time of year.
• Because they are individually sized, you don't have to worry about double dipping!
• It's an easy party appetizer for game day.
• You can find all of the ingredients are your local grocery store.
• It can also be a made-ahead recipe if you freeze it.

Ingredients needed

• Cream cheese - Cream cheese gives these cheeseballs their creamy texture.
• Shredded cheddar cheese - You can't have too much cheese!
• Lemon juice - I find that lemon juice gives just a bit of flavoring that pairs perfectly with the shrimp.
• Onion - Chopped finely.
• Garlic salt - Garlic salt always makes a recipe better.
• Chives - You can also use green onions if you'd like.
• Parsley - Parsley enhances the flavors in this delicious recipe.
• Mayonnaise - Mayo helps all of the ingredients stick together.
• Canned baby shrimp - Make sure the shrimp is drained. You can use crumbled cooked bacon if preferred.
• Crushed nuts - I like to use walnuts but use whatever you prefer. Also, add dried fruits and fresh herbs, like cranberries and dill.

How to make mini cheeseballs

Mix everything together

Pour all ingredients (except nuts, herbs, or dried fruit) into a large bowl. You can mix by hand, use a hand mixer, or a stand mixer.

I recommend using a stand mixer because it is faster and less intensive. Make sure you mix it slowly to ensure all of the ingredients blend well.

Crush nuts

Crush the nuts on wax paper with a rolling pin (or chop in a food processor). Whichever way you decide, ensure the crushed nuts are on a sheet of wax paper.

Place the chopped cranberries onto another piece of wax paper. Then place the herbs onto another piece of wax paper.

Create cheese balls

Grab a mini cookie scoop and use it to scoop out the cheese ball mix and roll it into a ball. Then roll the ball in the nuts, herbs, and chopped dry fruit until completely covered.

Then place the ball on parchment paper or a silicone mat-lined baking sheet. Repeat until all mini cheeseballs are done.

Refrigerate

For the best results, we recommend that you refrigerate overnight, but it is completely optional. The flavor seems to develop more when refrigerated overnight.

If you don't have time to refrigerate overnight, put the balls in the fridge for at least 10 minutes before serving. Letting them cool for a bit helps the cheeseballs set.

Tips for recipe success

• Use a food processor/blender - Next time you need to chop nuts, place them in a blender or a food processor for a quick and easy way to chop them!
• Set out the cream cheese - For softened cream cheese, leave the block of cream cheese out for an hour or so before making this delicious bite-sized appetizer.

Storage and Freezing

Storing - Wrap the mini balls in plastic wrap for maximum freshness, but placing them in an airtight container works well also. These mini cheeseball bites will last up to 7 days in the fridge.

Freezing – If you want to freeze these cheese balls, wrap them well in plastic wrap and put them in a freezer bag. Do not freeze with the nuts or dried fruit.

They can last up to a month in the freezer if stored correctly. Put them in the fridge overnight to thaw, then roll in nuts and fruits before serving.

FAQ

How long are mini cheeseballs good for?

You can store a cheeseball in the refrigerator for up to one week. 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.

Ways to enjoy

This mini cheese ball appetizer would pair perfectly with any of our charcuterie boards. Put a pretzel stick in the ball to make them easy to grab, and you've got yourself a fun addition to a cheese board.

If you haven't made a charcuterie board before, we recommend trying our easy charcuterie board first. We have a charcuterie board shopping list to make it even easier.

We have charcuterie boards for special occasions, like our Super Bowl, Valentines, Christmas, and Thanksgiving boards. Oh, and don't forget our charBOOterie board for Halloween!

Have any food allergies? Don't worry. We have you covered with our gluten-free and vegan charcuterie boards.