20 Epic Cheese Ball Appetizer Recipes (2024)

Cheese balls were totally a thing in the '80s, and they're back and better than ever. Though traditionally made with cream cheese and rolled in spices, herbs, and/or nuts and bacon, cheese balls have been modernized. These versions, including some vegan versions, prove the once-old app is now retro-cool.

Keto Potato Fixings Cheese Ball

20 Epic Cheese Ball Appetizer Recipes (1)

Bacon and chives coat this cheddar-infused keto cheese ball. (via Brit + Co)

Sharp Vegan Cheese Ball

20 Epic Cheese Ball Appetizer Recipes (2) A simple vegan cheese ball made from creamy cashews is fine on its own, but it reaches new heights when topped with honey, pomegranate arils, and walnuts. (via Catching Seeds)

Herbed Cream Cheese Ball

20 Epic Cheese Ball Appetizer Recipes (3) A bevy of chopped fresh herbs like chives, dill, and scallions add a brightness to your cheese ball. It’s further enhanced with a little bit of lemon zest and juice. (via The Cookie Rookie)

Spicy Vegan Pimento Cheese Ball

20 Epic Cheese Ball Appetizer Recipes (4) The “cheese” itself is made from cashews, vegan cream cheese, and pimento peppers, and it’s rolled in a blend of smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, and chili powder before serving. (via Minimalist Baker)

Sweet Chili Cream Cheese Dip

20 Epic Cheese Ball Appetizer Recipes (5) Reason number 999 why we always keep a bottle of Thai sweet chili sauce in the fridge? It makes it that easy to dress up a simple cream cheese appetizer into something you can proudly share with guests. (via Trial and Eater)

Veggie Cream Cheese Breakfast Cheese Balls

20 Epic Cheese Ball Appetizer Recipes (6) Think of the best veggie cream cheese you’ve ever had on a bagel. Now, turn that into a cheese ball, serve with bagels, sliced veggies, and smoked salmon, and you have a brunch-worthy platter. (via Peas and Crayons)

Pepper Jack Almond Pecan Mini Cheese Balls

20 Epic Cheese Ball Appetizer Recipes (7) If you’ve misplaced that set of cheese-serving knives, never fear. Serve mini cheese balls that people can easily pick up via pretzel stick, so no utensils are needed. (via Small Town Woman)

Mediterranean Cheese Ball

20 Epic Cheese Ball Appetizer Recipes (8) Set a breezy Mediterranean vibe for your next party with a tray of cheese balls rolled in pine nuts, figs, and bacon. (via Sprinkle Bakes)

20 Epic Cheese Ball Appetizer Recipes (9)

9. Pineapple Cheese Ball: Pineapple and cheese might sound like a strange combo, but just think of how many people go wild for Hawaiian pizza. This recipe proves they’re on to something. (via The Recipe Critic)

Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball

20 Epic Cheese Ball Appetizer Recipes (10) Rich white cheddar, fragrant rosemary, and sweetened dried cranberries play off one another beautifully. (via Grees & Chocolate)

Strawberry Cream Cheese Ball

20 Epic Cheese Ball Appetizer Recipes (11) The secret ingredient in this cheese ball? A scoop of strawberry preserves, which keeps the salty heaviness of the cheese from taking over. (via Well Plated)

Tricolor Pimiento Cheese Ball

20 Epic Cheese Ball Appetizer Recipes (12) Roll your cheese balls in bacon bits, chopped scallions, and toasted pecans to make a multicolored trio of starters. (via Food Loving Family)

Pineapple, Pecan, and Cranberry Cheese Balls

20 Epic Cheese Ball Appetizer Recipes (13) Cranberries and pineapple add sweet and tangy pops of flavor to this cheese ball. Don’t forget a coating of pecans for crunch. (via The Cozy Cook)

Carrot-Shaped Cheese Ball

20 Epic Cheese Ball Appetizer Recipes (14) Add some color to your appetizer selection with a cheery carrot-shaped ball that’s covered in finely shredded orange cheddar. (via No. 2 Pencil)

Lucky Charms Cheesecake Ball

20 Epic Cheese Ball Appetizer Recipes (15) Everyone knows the best part of Lucky Charms is the marshmallows. Celebrate them as the star of your next dessert cheese ball. (via Dip Recipe Creations)

Cherry Cheese Ball

20 Epic Cheese Ball Appetizer Recipes (16) Skip the traditional cheese course and serve a cherry cheesecake cheese ball at the end of your meal instead. (via The Blond Cook)

Chipped Beef Cheese Balls

20 Epic Cheese Ball Appetizer Recipes (17) Like most retro recipes, you can expect this chipped beef cheese ball to be the first thing to get finished at your next party. (via The Recipe Critic)

Pine Cone Cheese Ball

20 Epic Cheese Ball Appetizer Recipes (18) Make your appetizer do double duty as a centerpiece when you decorate it with rosemary and cinnamon honey roasted almonds to look like a pinecone. (via Trial and Eater)

Sour Cream Cheese Ball

20 Epic Cheese Ball Appetizer Recipes (19) Sour cream gives this ball a lighter texture than others. It’s easier to spread than you might expect. (via Cooking Classy)

Ranch Cheddar Cheese Ball

20 Epic Cheese Ball Appetizer Recipes (20) Fancy isn’t always better. You can’t go wrong with a classic cheddar cheese ball flavored with ranch. (via Will Cook For Smiles)

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Justina Huddleston

Justina Huddleston is a food writer living in Los Angeles. When she's not busy writing, she spends her time in the kitchen creating both virtuous and decidedly junky vegan food. Buffalo chickpea pizza, anyone? She's also been known to eat a plain block of tofu or beans straight out of the can for lunch, but somehow those culinary adventures don't make it to her Instagram. You can follow Justina on Twitter or see what's cooking in her kitchen on her blog, A Life of Little Pleasures.

20 Epic Cheese Ball Appetizer Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the history of the cheese ball appetizer? ›

Who invented cheese balls? Legend has it that a Massachusetts farmer created the first cheese ball in recorded history in 1801 and presented to President Jefferson at the White House.

What are the best crackers to serve with a cheese ball? ›

Here are some options: Crackers – Ritz Crackers, Wheat Thins, Multi-Grain, Milton's. Pretzels or Pretzel Crisps. Crudité with Veggies like carrots, celery or peppers.

What are the best cheese combinations? ›

Cheese Pairing Chart
Cheese textureFood
Semi-soft (Fontal, provolone)Apples, grapes, roasted or grilled vegetables
Semi-hard (Asiago, gouda)Nuts, dried fruit, dark chocolate
Hard cheese (Romano, Parmesan)Nuts, honey, olives, salted meats, fresh vegetables
1 more row

What is a fun fact about cheese balls? ›

They're sort of retro, they're easy to make, and let's face it: They're fun. "According to legend," writes Michelle Buffardi, author of Great Balls of Cheese, "the first cheese ball in recorded history was made in 1801 by Elisha Brown, Jr. on his farm and presented to President Thomas Jefferson" at the White House.

What are the ingredients in current cheese balls? ›

Corn Grits, Rice Grits, Edible Vegetable Oil (Palmolein Oil), Cheddar Cheese Powder, Iodized Salt, Sugar, Maltodextrin (Ins 1400), Flavour Enhancer (Ins 621), Food Color (Ins 110) And Natural Cheese Flavour. Manufacturer Name: Yashoda Foods Pvt Ltd. Tilottama 15, Rupandehi, Nepal.

What is a cheese ball in American slang? ›

chiefly US, informal. : a person who lacks style or good taste : a cheesy person. The other person of interest is … in his mid-30s, works in New York's fashion industry, and considers his looks a hobby. He's a cheeseball, but a fascinating one.

What are the accompaniments served with cheese and? ›

Dried or fresh fruit and nuts are classic Cheese Accompaniments. The sweetness of fruit offers a balance to the saltiness of many cheeses. Specifically, soft cheeses such as Brie pair well with fruits such as dried apricots. French cheeses such as Camembert pair well with green grapes.

What goes good on a cheese tray? ›

Our favorites are picked veggies, olives or cute little pickles! If you are going ultra fancy, you can pick up some large, beautiful capers like these. Dried or Fresh Fruits: Grapes are classic, and in the fall you should garnish your cheese platter with concords if you can get your hands on them.

What goes well with cheese spread? ›

Let's get the apparent option out of the way: yes, the best way to use spreadable cheese is to, well, spread it on top of a toast, or a bagel, or some crackers and pair it with either some fruit for a sweet toast or your favorite cured meats for a savory one.

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