These fun, festive and fabulous mini cheese balls are perfect appetizer to make ahead. Best of all, the single-serve portions make it super easy to serve!
When hosting a party, big or small, you want to enjoy the company of your friends and family, instead of sweating in the kitchen, yes? Here is my #1 advise for relaxing and enjoyable party: prepare as much as you can in advance. And that includes the menu as well. Simple enough? I know it’s easier said than done, when you’re are scrambling for ideas.
Well, here is an absolutely fun and delicious appetizer for you to have as a backup. When in doubt, serve these cheeseballs!
These little cheese balls are incredibly customizable, fun and elegant. All for very little effort. You can coat the cheese balls in whatever your creative heart desires. Here, I used paprika, scallion, walnuts and sesame seeds.
Hungry for more ideas?
How about crushed red pepper for some kick, finely chopped pistachios (my favorite!), or dried cranberries. The world is your pickle, my friend!
And guess what? It’s so simple to whip up these gems, which makes it perfect last minute appetizer as well! Now, that’s a win-win in my book!
I strongly suggest you use high-quality cheese here. No pre-grated stuff here, please. Start with a nice block of cheese (I love Cabot’s seriously sharp cheddar), freeze it for 15-30 minutes and then grate away. Freezing helps to keep the cheese firm and makes the grating much easier. Mix the grated cheese with cream cheese and seasonings and divide the mixture into small single-serve balls. Roll them in whatever coating you prefer, and serve! With lots of crackers and wine. Yep, wine is a must. 🙂
Oh one more tip, do label the appetizer when serving at the party, because your guests might not realize that they are meant to be eaten on crackers. Quick funny story for ya. I brought these little guys to the ranch, and before I got to explain what they were, my mother-in-law had popped the entire ball into her mouth. After a minute, she is like “This is rich! But it’s good!” Oh did we have a good laugh!
What other fun coating ideas can you come up with? I’m all ears. 🙂
Thanks for stopping by. And have a fabulous day!

Mini Cheese Balls
Ingredients
- 4 oz 115gr extra sharp cheddar cheese (frozen for 15-30min)*
- 2 scallions
- 8 oz 225gr cream cheese, softened
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Crackers for serving
Coating options:
- Paprika
- Chopped scallions
- Finely chopped walnuts
- Black and white toasted sesame seed
Instructions
- Grate the sharp cheddar cheese on medium side of the box grater. Chop the scallions.
- In a mixing bowl with paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese until fluffy. Add the freshly grated cheese, chopped scallions, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. Mix until well combined. Salt and pepper to taste.
- Using a medium cookie scoop, form the mixture into small balls.
- Place the coatings into separate small dishes. Roll the cheese balls in the coating. Serve at room temperature with savory crackers.
Tips & Notes:
Store in the refrigerator, covered, for up to 3 days.
Sandy says
I do these with some ground up ham, finely chopped green onion, garlic pepper, mustard & worcestershire..
family loves them ❤️
Shinee says
Hi, Sandy. Ground ham sounds great! I;ll be trying that for our Christmas dinner. Thank you for sharing!
Teresa says
Hello, I love cheese balls, they are easy to make and YUM with lots of variety (a little change of cheese or extra and can be rolled in different coatings to make them look pretty and different!! They make great gifts and Christmas is coming, they are nice wrapped in some pretty wrapping with a ribbon. Thank you for sharing your tasty recipes.
Shinee says
Hi, Teresa. I agree, cheese balls are yum!! And what a great idea to gift as a Christmas gift! I love that idea! Thanks for sharing!
Easy Peasy Life Matters says
Love, love, love these!! So cute and party friendly! 🙂
Shinee says
Totally agree. Thank you!
Mandee Thomas says
Ooo, yummy! I wanted to let you know that I’m featuring this post tonight at the Create & Share Link Party (7:00 PM MST)! Congratulations!!! Can’t wait to see what you share with us this week. 🙂
Shinee says
Yay, fantastic. Thank you, Mandee!
Cecilia MyThriftStoreAddiction says
Hello, I saw your link on Creative Ways. These look delicious–I want to add fresh garden herbs too! Blessings, Cecilia
Shinee says
Fresh herbs would so good too! Thanks for visiting, Cecilia!
Melissa French, The More With Less Mom says
This is so dangerous, I should never have looked at this. Now I have to do this for every party ever. Thanks for posting. Hello from Totally Terrific Tuesday.
Shinee says
Haha these are too good and perfect for parties! Thanks for stopping by, Melissa!
Morgan says
I LOVE this idea. I am getting married in a few weeks and we are doing the reception food ourselves. This is a great idea and totally doable! I am going to have to look into doing this. I think this should definitely be added to our list. What a great idea!
Shinee says
Congrats on your upcoming wedding, Morgan! These are totally doable, simple yet impressive. Hope you give them a try. 🙂 Thank you!
Jhuls | The Not So Creative Cook says
What a creative idea – these look so good. 🙂 #TotallyTerrificTuesday
Shinee says
Thank you, Jhuls!
Sherri says
Oh my goodness. What a neat idea! I am SO doing this at my next get together! I would love for you to share this at my weekly link party, The Mommy Club, that starts every Tuesday night.
Shinee says
Thank you, Sherri!
Lauren says
These looks so good, I love everything that involves cheese! Glad I found you on the create, link and inspire linky party!
Shinee says
Welcome, Lauren! Glad you found my blog. Thanks for stopping by!
Kati says
I love a cheese ball for parties, and these mini cheese balls are so amazing! I need to have a party now so that I can make them 🙂
Shinee says
Hehe yeah, find an excuse to have your friends over. Thanks, Kati, for stopping by.
Joy @ Joy Love Food says
These are adorable and sound delicious! Visiting from Treasure Box Tuesday 🙂
Shinee says
Thank you, Joy!
Val @ Home Made Modern says
I’m in love with this idea! Thx for the inspiration!
Shinee says
You’re welcome, Val. Thanks for stopping by.
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says
Shinee, this is my kinda app!!! Don’t get me wrong, I love my sweets but I love savory even more. . and these are so easy. . I love these and love all the variations!!!
Shinee says
Thank you, Alice!
Ali @ Home & Plate says
Such a great idea. All the different different coatings are so pretty on the plate. Yum.
Shinee says
Thank you, Ali!
Elizabeth says
What a super idea! Now I need to throw a party so I can make them! So simple and fuss free to make too – thanks for sharing the recipe! 🙂
Shinee says
Thanks so much, Elizabeth!
Ashley | The Recipe Rebel says
These are so fun! I love all of the different options! Pinned 🙂
Shinee says
Thank you, Ashley!
[email protected] says
After seeing the behind the scenes on IG, I was waiting for this! I posted one for NYE so I was curious to see how you made yours – I love it!! New ideas, thanks Shinee!
Shinee says
I remember yours, Nagi! So many possibilities. Thanks!
Angelina says
I love this idea! I agree with Beeta, it does look like some of the cheeses in Paris! I’m pinning this for later!
Shinee says
I must have missed the cheese balls when I was in Paris. Thank you, Angelina!
Beeta @ Mon Petit Four says
This is such a fun idea, Shinee! I always serve cheese at my gatherings and never thought to do them in these cute ball shapes with the toppings packed in. It actually reminds me of the prepared cheese packs they sell at La Grande Epicerie (market) in Paris. They would coat the cheese, be it a triangle shape or ball shape, in fun toppings. I love all your picks! I would even go for toasted pecans and cranberries as toppings, especially if its fall or whatnot! 🙂
Shinee says
How did I miss these in Paris?! Triangle shape sounds fun, will have to try next time! Thanks as always, Beeta!