They never disappoint a crowd, and they always disappear fast! That’s why I like to keep plenty of options in my back pocket. When I tell you that I have dozens upon dozens of cheese ball recipes stored away in my files, I’m not exaggerating. I’m a cheese ball-aholic, if such a thing exists. This list of 20 cheese ball recipes contains some of my all-time favorites, and boy, was it hard to narrow it down to just 20! Keep reading to see them all, and as a bonus, at the end of the list, I share with you what I think is the best cheese ball in the world. (You won’t want to miss that!)
20 Party-Ready Cheese Ball Recipes You’ll Love
1. Pineapple Pecan Cheese Ball
One of the best things about cheese balls is that they blend contrasting flavors in a complimentary way. With this one, you get the sweetness and tanginess of crushed pineapples and cream cheese, the nuttiness of pecans, and the savory earthiness of garlic and onions. It seems like it shouldn’t work, but it does!
2. Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball Recipe
Bacon and ranch always pair well together. They’ll taste even better when you add in some Swiss, sharp cheddar, and cream cheeses, Greek yogurt, and parsley. This cheese ball mixes an inner smooth and creamy consistency with the crunchiness of bacon and has plenty of salty yumminess to tickle your tastebuds.
3. Mini-Cheese Ball Bites
If you’re looking for a less messy, more individualized way to serve a cheese ball this holiday season, use these single-serving mini-cheese ball bites. Each one has a sweet and herb-flavored center made from cream cheese, cheddar, fruit, and herbs. Then, you’ll roll some in crushed nuts, some in bacon, and some in both! Stick a salty pretzel stick in the middle of each for ease of grasping, and you’ll have a tiny tray of tantalizing treats everyone will love.
4. Snowman Cheese Ball
‘Tis the season… for snowman cheese balls! I mean, just look at this little guy! He’s adorable! He’s also cheesy, full of ranch seasoning, and easy to make. All you’ll need is cream cheese, sharp cheddar, ranch seasoning, shredded jack cheese, a baby carrot, and whole black peppercorns (for the eyes, mouth, and buttons). Despite how cute and creative he looks, it only takes 15 minutes to make him. Just be sure you make it at least 4 hours before serving it to give it time to set.
5. Dried Beef Cheese Ball
If you’re not a fan of crunchy cheese balls, this smooth and creamy dried beef cheese ball could be the ideal choice for you. It has plenty of protein, a bit of kick from the Worcestershire sauce, and a delightful saltiness that’ll have you drinking more water than usual. *Note: The dried beef in this one gives it plenty of salt already, so taste it before you add more. Be sure you use garlic powder instead of garlic salt, or you might get it too salty to eat.
6. Cranberry Pecan Cheeseball
This cheese ball is bright and tangy, but the pecans add warmth and nuttiness that helps tone down some of the zestiest edges. It’s also beautiful and perfect for the holiday season.
7. Smoked Cheese Ball
Whether you’re looking for something new and exciting for game day or need an appetizer before a big summer BBQ, the smoked cheese ball is a safe bet. It has a deep, smoky flavor that goes beyond the traditional smoked gouda flavor and into something else entirely (thanks to the Liquid Smoke). The pecans complement the smokiness, making this a very earthy cheese ball that wouldn’t be out of place on a rustic farm table in the 1800s.
8. Turkey Cheese Ball
You can use any cheese ball on this list – or buy a pre-made one – to make this turkey cheese ball because the only “turkey” in it is the one you’ll make by decorating it. Any cheese ball will work. You’ll just need pretzels for tail feathers, edible candy eyes, and a piece of candy corn for the beak. He’s just as cute as the snowman one up above. Disclaimer: No turkeys were harmed in the making of this cheese ball.
9. Greek Cheese Ball
This cheese ball is for anyone who loves Greek food – hummus, gyros, moussaka, etc. You’ll pack a wallop of flavor into this small ball. For example, besides the other ingredients, you’ll add Kalamata olives, bell peppers, feta cheese, garlic, dried dill, and more. Those are all robust flavors, and you’ll taste every one of them. Pair this with plain crackers, pita bread, or your favorite veggies for a tangy, flavorful appetizer.
10. Spinach Artichoke Cheese Ball
This is a decadent, delicious spinach artichoke dip taken to a whole new level as a cheese ball. The center is still rich and creamy, but the outside has a bit of a crunch. That’s because you’ll use butter, Panko bread crumbs, parsley, red pepper, and parmesan cheese for the coating. The inside is just as flavorful. For that part, you’ll need cream cheese, buttermilk ranch dip mix, mayo, artichoke hearts, frozen spinach, red pepper, mozzarella, and parmesan. It’s spinach artichoke dip, but better.
11. Blue Cheese Cheese Ball
Not everyone loves blue cheese, but if you’re one of those who do, this cheese ball will be a real hit in your house. The earthy, umami flavors of onions, celery, pecans, and parsley offset the rich zestiness of sharp cheddar and blue cheese. The Worcestershire sauce adds another pop of loud flavor that brings additional depth to the appetizer.
12. Dill Pickle Cheese Ball
Although it has only five ingredients, this cheese ball, too, is zingy and zesty. Of course, you can’t really mix cream cheese, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, dill pickle relish, and dill and expect it not to be zingy and zesty. It’s delicious, though, as long as you like dill.
13. Port Wine Cheese Ball
If you’re looking for something a bit milder, this port wine cheese ball might be more your style. It’s salty and savory and has plenty of nuts and just a hint of spiciness. Because of the complementary colors used in the ball, it’s also one of the prettier options on the list, and it isn’t even trying to be.
14. Caramel Apple Cheese Ball
When it comes to cheese balls, my favorites are always those that have the sharpest flavors. However, now and then, even I get in the mood for something sweeter. This caramel apple cheese ball is a delightful fall treat. It combines cream cheese, walnuts, sharp cheddar, green apples, caramel sauce, and nutmeg for something that’s not too sweet but just sweet enough. Serve it with crackers, more apple slices, pretzels, or whatever else you like. It’ll wow everyone who tries it.
15. Pimento Cheese Ball
This is good, old-fashioned pimento cheese, but the toasted pecans give it a unique flavor that’s different from what you’d get if you ate it on bread. As a pretty avid pimento cheese lover, I prefer this cheese ball on crackers to pimento cheese sandwiches (though I love those, as well, especially with a cup of hot chili).
16. Taco Cheese Ball Recipe
This 10-minute cheese ball requires only five ingredients: shredded Mexican cheese blend, cream cheese, taco seasoning, fresh cilantro, and pecans for the topping. Despite being so simple, it has a full-bodied Mexican flavor that’ll make you think you’re visiting your favorite Mexican restaurant. If you don’t mind making the ball a bit less healthy, you can substitute crumbled tortilla chips for the topping instead of the pecans. I do this with the colored tortilla chips for Cinco de Mayo.
17. Pumpkin Cheese Ball
Like the turkey cheese ball above, this pumpkin cheese ball doesn’t contain any actual pumpkin. Instead, you’ll use creative shaping, some orange Doritos, three rubber bands, a baby pickle, and leaves to make it look like a pumpkin. In reality, it’s a super cheesy, somewhat smoky, and heavily ranch-flavored ball of yumminess. It’ll be a massive hit at your fall celebrations, and not just because of how it looks.
18. Walnut Pomegranate Cheese Ball
This gorgeous, six-ingredient cheese ball is sweetly tart and a little tangy, too. It has a fresh, natural taste, but the feta and pomegranate arils add pops of bright flavor that’ll delight your palate.
19. Jalapeno Popper Cheese Ball
This tangy, spicy appetizer has everything you could want in a jalapeno popper – cream cheese, sour cream, garlic, jalapenos, sharp cheddar, bacon, and onions. There are even some pecans added for the coating. Besides that, this cheese ball really does taste just like a jalapeno popper, so if you’re a fan of those, you’ll like this one, too.
20. Cheese Ball Antipasto
In the right light, this cheese ball looks like it’s covered in sparkling gemstones. Really, it’s just green and black olives, sun-dried tomatoes, prosciutto, and salami. The inside is just as bright, salty, and flavorful as well. If you’re the kind of person who enjoys a good antipasto cheese platter, this cheese ball will be right up your alley.
Bonus: The Best Cheese Ball in the World: Garden Herb Cheese Ball
I’m almost too embarrassed to tell you how often I make and eat this cheese ball. Let’s just say it’s usually more often than twice a month. (EEK!) It’s just so insanely good. It’s exceptionally herb-flavored, and the dill gives it the most fantastic kick. The almonds add crunch, and the green onions and Worcestershire round out the taste. The only thing I do differently is substituting cayenne for the red pepper flakes because I like a bit more heat in my appetizers. Even so, this has been and probably will always be my favorite cheese ball. Click on a star to rate it!
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