Description
The Classic Cheese Ball is a creamy, flavorful appetizer combining sharp cheddar, cream cheese, herbs, and seasonings for a nostalgic yet fresh party favorite. Easy to make, customizable, and perfect for any gathering, it pairs beautifully with crackers, veggies, or bread and is ideal for preparing ahead of time.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese Base
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
Flavorings
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce (use vegetarian version if desired)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Coating
- 1 cup crushed nuts or bacon bits (alternatives: crushed pretzels or paprika for nut-free)
Garnish (Optional)
- Fresh parsley or chives for garnish
Instructions
- Soften the Cream Cheese: Let the cream cheese sit at room temperature until soft and spreadable to ensure even blending with other ingredients.
- Mix in Shredded Cheese and Flavorings: In a mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, shredded sharp cheddar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and chopped green onions. Stir thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
- Shape the Cheese Ball: Using your hands or a spatula, form the cheese mixture into a compact ball. If the mixture feels too sticky, refrigerate for 10 minutes and then reshape.
- Prepare the Coating: Spread crushed nuts, bacon bits, or your chosen coating evenly on a plate. Gently roll the cheese ball on the coating to cover its entire surface completely.
- Chill and Serve: Wrap the coated cheese ball tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to meld and the shape to firm up before serving.
Notes
- Room temperature cheese: Softened cream cheese blends more smoothly, preventing lumps.
- Fresh ingredients count: Use fresh green onions and herbs for the brightest flavor.
- Firm shape fix: Chilling before coating helps keep the cheese ball intact while rolling.
- Coating variety: Try a mix of nuts and crispy bacon for contrast in texture and taste.
- Resting time: Letting it chill overnight improves flavor depth and texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: No Cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1/10 of cheese ball
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: cheese ball, party appetizer, classic cheese ball, cream cheese appetizer, holiday appetizer, cheesy snacks, no bake appetizer
