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    Home » Recipe » Appetizers » The Top 30+ Best Cheese Ball Recipes

    The Top 30+ Best Cheese Ball Recipes

    Published: Mar 1, 2023 by Sabrina Currie · This post may contain affiliate links.

    If you love a party cheese ball as much as I do, why buy a bland, store bought version when you can make your own easy and spectacular cheese ball appetizer. To help you find the perfect flavors for your next boule de fromage, I've collected the easiest, cheesiest, top 20 cheese ball recipes for every occasion. Come and get inspired!

    Collage of 4 different cheeseball recipes. Shown are small, cranberry covered balls with crackers stuck in each, a hedgehog shaped one, a pumpkin shaped one and a Christmas tree shaped one studded with herbs and cherry tomatoes.

    Great for parties, buffets, bridal and baby showers and as the centerpiece on a cheese board, a cheese ball is a classic appetizer that works well throughout the year. I might be biased, but I love this gluten-free, easy Hedgehog Cheeseball With Almonds.

    Most of these easy recipes are gluten-free but we didn't forget the keto, low carb and vegan crew! Read on for tasty, special diet-friendly versions of the cheeseball near the end. There are awesome sweet dessert cheese balls too. Grab your hand mixer and a few blocks of cream cheese and lets get started!

    Jump to:
    • Shaped +Themed
    • Smoked Salmon, Shrimp, Chicken + Beef
    • Mini Balls Of Cheese
    • Crazy Yummy Flavors
    • Easy Homemade Cheese...Really!
    • Goat Cheese
    • Fruit And Nut
    • Vegan Cheez
    • Dessert Cheese Ball
    • What To Serve With Cheese Balls
    • Different Coatings To Try
    • How Long Can It Sit Out?
    • Can You Freeze Cheese Balls?
    • Related Recipes

    If you love cheesy appetizers and recipes, you've gotta check out my Brie and Apple Grilled Cheese with Hot Honey, Caramelized Onion and Blue Cheese Dip, Baked Oysters With Cheese.

    Shaped +Themed

    The beauty of a homemade cheese ball is that you can shape it into any theme you like. Beyond just awesom Christmas appetizers, serve a pretty pastel hedgehog cheese ball at Easter, an orange and brown nut covered pumpkin for Thanksgiving.

    For Christmas, a herb and dried fruit recipe shaped into a Christmas tree or cute little mini reindeer balls delight. A football shaped cheese ball adds festive vibes to a Superbowl party or a football players graduation party. Use one of these creative ideas or come up with your own.

    Christmas tree shaped cheese appetizer garnished with green herbs and cherry tomatoes with a yellow pepper star on the top.
    Easy Hedgehog Cheeseball With Almonds
    This cute little hedgehog is made with the tastiest, best cheese ball recipe. You can save time by using pre-shredded cheese and buying slivered almonds and there is a how-to video to help you shape it and create the cute little face with some black olives. This fun, creative idea is great for Easter, baby showers, Thanksgiving parties and anywhere you want to add some fun.
    Easy Hedgehog Cheeseball
    Front view of the hedgehog with crackers and rosemary.d mouth. It is sitting on a parchment covered cutting board and surrounded with green rosemary sprigs and square crackers.
    A Festive Christmas Tree Cheese Ball Appetizer Recipe
    Create the perfect holiday appetizer for your next party with this recipe for a festive Christmas tree cheese ball. Beautifully decorated, it tastes as good as it looks and will be the star on a table of holiday appetizers.
    Christmas Tree Cheese Ball
    A Festive Christmas Tree Cheese Ball Appetizer Recipe
    Reindeer Cheese Ball Appetizer Recipe
    Mini cheese balls get rolled in bacon and topped with pretzel sticks for antlers, this easy reindeer cheese ball recipe is a super fun addition to your next holiday party.
    Reindeer Cheese Balls
    Reindeer Cheese Ball Appetizer Recipe
    Football Cheese Ball
    Want to make your party guests smile? Whip up this awesome football cheese ball. A fun, easy appetizer recipe that is super easy and perfect for game day snacking! Perfect appetizer for the Super Bowl. Throw some cream cheese, green onions, tomatoes and seasoning blend it up with an electric mixer. Serve it up with pita crackers or chips.
    Football Cheese Ball
    Football Cheese Ball
    Everything Bagel Cheeseball
    When shaped into a pumpkin, this Everything Bagel Cheese ball is the perfect appetizer for fall entertaining. It’s easy to make and full of flavor!
    Everything Bagel Cheese Ball
    Everything Bagel Cheeseball

    Smoked Salmon, Shrimp, Chicken + Beef

    I adore smoked salmon and blended up into a herb and cream cheese mixture, it's a crowd favorite. Serve these up with a side of crackers, sliced baguette, capers, lemon wedges or horseradish. Slices of cucumber or a dish of pickled beets is great pairing too!

    A ball of cheese mixture coated in light brown crushed nuts and surrounded by square wheat crackers.
    Smoked Salmon Cream Cheese Ball
    Up your cheese ball game with this smoked salmon cream cheese ball! This unique cheese ball will be the star of your party and is made with real, hot smoked salmon.
    Smoked Salmon Cheese Ball
    Smoked Salmon Cream Cheese Ball
    Smoked Salmon Cheese Ball
    Learn how to make this easy smoked salmon cheese ball recipe, which was given to me by my dad, the no-fuss gourmet foodie in the family. This recipe uses canned salmon and liquid smoke-great if you don't have smoked salmon on hand.
    Smoked Salmon Boule
    Smoked Salmon Cheese Ball
    Shrimp Cheese Ball
    This delicious Shrimp Cheese Ball is prepared with cream cheese, shrimp, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder and Old Bay seasoning. It then gets coated in chopped pecans for an easy, homemade cheeseball.
    Cheesy Shrimp Ball
    Shrimp Cheese Ball
    Quick and Easy Chicken Cheeseball with Ranch and Bacon
    How to make the best chicken cheeseball recipe. This easy appetizer has a cream cheese base and gets tons of flavor from bacon bits and ranch seasoning. It’s a great party snack recipe that feeds a crowd!
    Chicken Cheeseball
    Quick and Easy Chicken Cheeseball with Ranch and Bacon
    Dried Beef Cheese Ball Recipe
    Make a retro dried beef cheeseball. This quick and easy appetizer recipe is creamy and salty and great for a crowd made with dried beef and shredded cheddar cheese. Make it ahead for stress-free hosting.
    Retro Dried Beef Appetizer
    Dried Beef Cheese Ball Recipe

    Mini Balls Of Cheese

    Individual, mini cheese balls are so cute, who can resist?! Served with a cracker on top or a toothpick, these are perfect finger food for any cocktail party.

    Individual cheese balls coated in green and red herbs and craisins each have a square cracker stuck in the top of them like a handle.
    Mini Holiday Cheese Balls With Goat Cheese
    If you don’t have these Mini Cranberry Pecan Cheese Balls on your holiday appetizer table, we can’t be friends. I mean, they have ALL the flavors of Christmas rolled into one adorably delicious creamy bite.
    Mini Holiday Balls
    Mini Holiday Cheese Balls With Goat Cheese
    Air Fryer Corn Cheese Balls
    Potato corn cheese balls are a perfect party appetizer and a crowd-pleaser. This is an easy recipe to make cheese corn balls in an air fryer in just 20 minutes.
    Corn Cheese Balls
    Air Fryer Corn Cheese Balls
    Mini Goat Cheese Balls
    Mini goat cheese balls are creamy, tangy and rolled in cranberries and pistachios for an easy yet festive holiday appetizer! They can be made and rolled (with clean hands) entirely in advance and use simple ingredients.
    Mini Goat Balls
    Mini Goat Cheese Balls

    Crazy Yummy Flavors

    The best thing about making your own homemade cheese ball is all the kinds you can choose from! It doesn't take much to add a fun twist on the classic cheese ball recipe and make it unforgettable. I love them all but if I had to pick, my favorites are the pickle ball and chili ball. Mexican flavors of chilis and hot sauce add a spicy kick and bring the cheeseball to Cinco de Mayo parties too.

    Bacon and dill pickle cheeseball coated in bacon bits and surrounded by sliced pickles and crackers.
    Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball
    A quick and easy cheese ball recipe that’s loaded with flavor from the mixture of cream cheese, bacon, ranch, parsely, sharp cheddar cheese and BBQ sauce. Perfect for parties, New Year’s Eve and more!
    Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball
    Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball
    Tex Mex Cheese Ball
    A spicy cheese ball is perfect for parties or game day! Serve this easy appetizer recipe with your favorite crackers, pretzels, or fresh veggies.
    Tex Mex Bola de Queso
    Tex Mex Cheese Ball
    Dill Pickle Bacon Cheese Ball
    Dill Pickle Bacon Cheese Ball is such a fun and easy cheese ball recipe made with cream cheese, cheddar, pickles, and bacon! The perfect appetizer for any party!
    Dill Pickle Ball
    Dill Pickle Bacon Cheese Ball
    Jalapeno Cheddar Cheese Ball
    This Jalapeno Cheddar Cheese Ball is full of zesty Mexican flavor and takes just minutes to make. The perfect snack for game day!
    Jalapeno Cheddar Ball
    Jalapeno Cheddar Cheese Ball
    Hatch Green Chile Cheese Ball
    This Hatch Green Chile Cheese Ball is an amazing appetizer recipe for game day tailgate, the holidays, and a fall party. Cheeses are mixed with spices and roasted peppers for a fun charcuterie board addition.
    Green Chile Cheese Ball
    Hatch Green Chile Cheese Ball
    Loaded Cheese Ball
    Loaded Cheese Ball - A mixture of cream cheese and sour cream combines with shredded cheese, dried beef, walnuts and green onions to create a cheese ball that will be the hit of the party.
    The Loaded Ball
    Loaded Cheese Ball
    Homemade Pumpkin Cheese Ball
    This pumpkin cheese ball recipe is so good and so easy to make! Everyone loves the pumpkin spice flavoring and pumpkin shape! Perfect fall party appetizer.
    Pumpkin Cheese Ball
    Homemade Pumpkin Cheese Ball
    Everything Bagel Cheese Ball
    Everything bagel cheese ball is an easy cold appetizer recipe that’s perfect for your next holiday gathering or event. A crowd favorite!
    Everything Bagel Ball
    Everything Bagel Cheese Ball
    KETO Cream Cheese Ball
    Cream Cheese Ball; A Keto, Low Carb, gluten free crowd pleaser! 5 easy ingredients that can be made ahead makes it a hostess pleaser too! And only 2 Carbs per serving!
    The Keto, Low-Carb, GF Cheese Bomb
    KETO Cream Cheese Ball

    Easy Homemade Cheese...Really!

    Simple and elegant, making a fresh cheese like Boursin, will really "Wow" your guests. This version is flavored with herbs and garlic for the classic cheese spread. A great make-ahead recipe that is fresher than store bought.

    Boursin Cheese Recipe
    Up your appetizer game and surprise your guests with a homemade Boursin cheese recipe! Cream cheese and butter base filled with plenty of garlic and herbs.
    Homemade Boursin Cheese
    Boursin Cheese Recipe

    Goat Cheese

    Goat cheese adds extra tanginess and pairs so well with the sweet fruit and crunchy nuts. Serve cold or smoosh them onto chunks of crusty bread.

    Crispy golden small cheese balls on a gray plate drizzled with syrup or honey and sprinkled with slivered almonds.
    Honey Goat Cheese Ball Appetizer
    This Honey Goat Cheese Ball Appetizer has creamy cheese, sweet fruit, crunchy nuts, and fresh herbs. Enjoy as a fun snack!
    Honey Goat Cheese Ball
    Honey Goat Cheese Ball Appetizer
    Goat Cheese Croquettes
    These crispy goat cheese croquettes are an appetizer that everyone will love! Drizzled with honey, and sprinkled with walnuts and almonds.
    Goat Cheese Croquettes
    Goat Cheese Croquettes

    Fruit And Nut

    Fruit, nuts and cheese are such a classic combo. Here they are combined into spreadable, elegant and tasty one dish appetizers that are a holiday favorite.

    Pineapple and green pepper cream cheese recipe getting cut into with a small cocktail knife.
    Cheese Ball with Cranberries and Nuts
    This is one festive Cheese Ball with Cranberries and Nuts that pairs beautifully with either sweet or savory accompaniments.
    Cranberry Nut Ball
    Cheese Ball with Cranberries and Nuts
    Pineapple Cheeseball
    This Pineapple Cheeseball is always a hit at parties. Crushed pineapple, cream cheese, green pepper, shallot and chopped pecans!
    Pineapple Cheeseball
    Pineapple Cheeseball
    Apricot Goat Cheese Bites
    If you are looking for an easy, make-ahead appetiser, my Apricot and Goat Cheese Bites are perfect. Simple, elegant and delicious - suitable for any party.
    Apricot Cheese Ball Bites
    Apricot Goat Cheese Bites

    Vegan Cheez

    Whip one of these vegan appetizers up in no time. Choose from a vegan cheese mixture or make your own with a tofu and nutritional yeast recipe. Both are so flavorful and cheese-like, no one will know they are dairy-free!

    Vegan Cheese Ball
    This vegan cheese ball is perfect for parties of get togethers. It’s perfect for spreading over crackers with a glass of wine!
    Vegan Cheese Ball
    Vegan Cheese Ball
    Raisin and Pecan Cheeseball
    This Vegan Raisin and Pecan Cheeseball is perfect for entertaining your guests. Or on special occasions such as holidays. This one uses nutritional yeast and tofu to get a delish cheese flavor that's completely dairy-free!
    Vegan Raisin Pecan
    Raisin and Pecan Cheeseball

    Dessert Cheese Ball

    With a cream cheese base and various sweet ingredients, a dessert cheese ball is a great, make-ahead dessert or cocktail party treat. Go big and showy with the tasty turkey or elegant with dainty cheesecake balls and dip.

    Turkey Dessert Cheese Ball
    Made with a cream cheese base and decorated to look like a cute little turkey, this easy turkey cheese ball is a Thanksgiving hit!
    Candy Coated Turkey
    Turkey Dessert Cheese Ball
    Cheesecake Balls
    Are you a cheesecake lover looking for a mini dessert treat? Then here you go! Introducing Cheesecake Balls – the ultimate dessert for any occasion! These bite-sized treats are made with creamy cheesecake filling, rolled
    Cheesecake Balls
    Cheesecake Balls

    What To Serve With Cheese Balls

    Almost anything that can scoop up dip makes a great side for cheese balls. Buttery crackers (Ritz crackers!) and baguette slices are traditional. I love adding in some celery sticks or cucumber slices for a light dipper.

    Pretzel sticks, ripple potato chips, tortilla chips, pita chips and bagel chips are also great dipping foods. Check out the mini versions below with pretzel stick handles! So fun.

    Small balls of cheese rolled in different colored coatings. There is green parsley, red paprika and brown nut coated balls. They all have a pretzel stick stuck in the top as a handle.

    Fruit like grapes, pears and pomegranates and fresh herbs make lovely, edible garnishes and don't forget a small butter knife or cheese spreader.

    Different Coatings To Try

    If you are doing a simple recipe, try coating the cheese in different, flavorful ingredients like below. Paprika, sesame seeds, poppy seeds and chopped parsley or other herbs are all delicious and add extra texture too.

    Chopped dried fruits like cranberries, raisins, apricots and even chopped apple or mango are all tasty twists. We are familiar with crushed nuts like pecans and walnuts but pistachios, hazelnuts and white macadamias are unique and tasty too.

    How Long Can It Sit Out?

    A great thing about cheese balls is that they aren't as perishable as many other appetizers. This makes them great for buffets and cocktail parties. Most cheese ball recipes can usually sit out 4-6 hours depending on their ingredients. Cheddar, Parmesan and other hard cheeses will last the longest. Cheese balls with chicken or shrimp should only be out for 2 hours before getting wrapped in plastic wrap and stored in the fridge or tossed.

    Can You Freeze Cheese Balls?

    The short answer is yes and it's not hard. For more info on freezing your cheese ball, checkout Can You Freeze a Cheeseball? How And Why To Do It. Freezing allows you to make your cheese ball ahead of time saving last minute stress and allowing you to stock up when the ingredients are on sale.

    I hope this list of awesome cheese ball recipes has been helpful and inspiring. If you have another favorite, not mentioned here, let me know in the comments below!

    Collage of 4 different cheeseball recipes. Shown are small, cranberry covered balls with crackers stuck in each, a hedgehog shaped one, a pumpkin shaped one and a classic cheese ball with a butter knife scooping some.

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    • Easy Grilled Prawns With Garlic Butter

    For more on what I'm cooking up, follow me on Instagram or Facebook. You might also like my FREE printable weekly meal planner.

    Cheers friends! Sabrina

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    About Sabrina Currie

    Classically French trained cook, photographer and food stylist living on beautiful Vancouver Island, BC.

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