The best, quick and easy mini cheese balls recipe with pretzel stick, homemade with simple ingredients in one pot in 30 minutes. These bite sized appetizers are loaded with cream cheese, fresh herbs and garlic. Also known as savory cheese bites.
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Mini appetizers are the way to go these days! Pretty presentation and bite sized individual bites are fantastic to enjoy at parties, while walking around and mingling with people. Today's recipe is just as delicious as this Cranberry Salsa With Cream Cheese (One Pot) and this Easy Queso Dip (One Pot). Those are always a hit with family and friends too.
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Key ingredients
- Cheese- You will be needing cream cheese and shredded mozzarella cheese. Make sure they are full fat.
- Butter- This helps to create a smooth consistency.
- Pretzel sticks- Be sure to use mini sized ones.
- Toppings- There are so many options and you can get very creative. My favorites are fresh herbs, sesame seeds, dried cranberries and chopped pistachios.
- Spices- Keep it simple with salt, pepper, paprika and garlic.
Variations
- Ranch flavor- Add a ranch seasoning packet to the mixture.
- Pineapple version- Mix in crushed pineapple to the mixture. Make sure they are drained to get rid of excess juices.
- Cheese log- Roll the cheese mixture into a log shape and then roll that in any toppings of your choice.
- Add other types of cheese- Such as parmesan, goat cheese, ricotta, gouda or anything else you like.
- Nut toppings- Try crushed, almonds, pecans, walnuts, cashews, pistachios or peanuts.
- Dried fruit toppings- Try cranberries, cherries, apricot, mango, coconut.
- Fresh herb toppings- Try finely chopped parsley, dill, chives, cilantro, thyme, oregano, green onions, tarragon.
- Add bacon- Use bacon crumbles in the mixture or rolled on the outside of the ball.
- Try other seasonings- Such as Cajun seasoning or Greek Seasoning or your own seasoning blend.
- Add sausage- Mix in crumbled cooked sausage to the cheese mixture.
- Fried version- Prepare a simple flour mixture and dip each chilled ball into this batter and fry for a few minutes until golden brown. Serve immediately.
- Try different sizes and shapes - Instead of the mini version, make a big giant ball with crackers and pretzels, served on the side. You can also make a log shape.
How to make easy mini cheese balls recipe from scratch?
1. Mix ingredients with hand-held mixer- This includes cream cheese, butter, mozzarella cheese, salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder.
2. Smooth it out- With a rubber spatula and chill.
3. Scoop out small portions- With a spoon.
4. Roll- Into balls.
5. Roll balls- In toppings of your choice.
6. Push a pretzel stick- In the center.
What to serve with this appetizer?
- You can serve these along with other appetizers and make a platter or charcuterie board. Include other items like Cranberry Brie Bites (One Pan), Best Bruschetta Recipe (One Bowl), Caprese Skewers (One Pan), or these Baked Buffalo Cauliflower Wings (One Pan).
- You can also serve these before a protein based main dish of any kind! Try them with these protein based main courses like: Slow Cooker Ham or Roast Turkey Breast (One Pan) or Easy Thanksgiving Turkey (One Pan), or Garlic Butter Steak Bites (One Pot) and even Roast Beef (One Pan).
Tips and techniques
- Make sure to chill the mixture- Because this makes it so much easier to roll balls.
- Use full fat cheese- Because that yields the maximum richness and creaminess.
- Oil your hands- Because this will keep the cheese mixture form sticking to your hands, and becoming a messy disaster!
- Use unsalted butter- Because that prevents this appetizer from becoming too salty.
- Put the pretzel stick in, just prior to serving- Because if you do this too far ahead of time, the pretzel will get soggy.
- Display a variety- Make a platter of mini cheese bites with multiple different toppings and this way, your guests will have more choices and have a chance to try more flavors.
- Toast the nuts and seeds- The pistachios, coconut and sesame seeds will taste so much better if they are toasted because it enhances the nutty flavor.
- Fresh herbs vs. Dried herbs- I highly recommend using fresh herbs because they look better and taste better in this recipe.
Recipe FAQs
They are made of these few basic ingredients that you probably already have on hand: Cream cheese, Mozzarella cheese, Butter, Salt, Pepper, Paprika, Garlic powder, Fresh herbs. You can get creative and and any herbs and seasonings of your choice.
Your cream cheese is probably at room temperature. Your work area is too hot. You may have used low fat cream cheese which has a thinner consistency. You didn't chill the mixture to make it firmer and easier to handle.
Storage
- Refrigerate- Store leftovers in a sealed container for up to 3 days. Be sure to remove the pretzel stick or it will get soggy. Add it again, prior to serving.
- Freeze- I don't recommend freezing leftovers because in my experience, cheese does not thaw well.
- Make ahead- These can easily be made 1-2 days in advance.
- Reheat- Do not warm them because they heat will cause them to melt and loose its shape. They are typically served cold
More one pot appetizers
- Homemade French Onion Dip (One Pot)
- Cocktail Meatballs (One Pot)
- Crescent Roll Veggie Pizza (One Pan)
- Spinach Artichoke Dip (One Bowl)
- Instant Pot Grape Jelly Meaballs
- Bacon Wrapped Dates (One Pan)
- Bacon Wrapped Smokies (One Pan)
- Easy Pigs In A Blanket (One Pan)
- Grape Jelly Little Smokies (One Pot)
Recipe
One Pot Cheese Balls
Video
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Ingredients
- 2 pacakages Cream cheese 8 oz each, Full fat
- ½ cup Mozzarella cheese Shredded
- 2 tablespoon Butter Unsalted, Room temperature
- Salt To taste
- Pepper To taste
- ¼ teaspoon Paprika
- ¼ teaspoon Garlic powder
- 30 Pretzel sticks Mini size
Toppings
- ½ cup Coconut Unsweetened, Shredded
- ½ cup Pistachios Roughly chopped
- ¼ cup Dill Fresh, Finely chopped
- ½ cup Tarragon Fresh, Finely chopped
- ½ cup Sesame seeds Lightly toasted
- ½ cup Cranberries Dried, Roughly chopped
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, add cream cheese, butter, mozzarella cheese, salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and mix everything until smooth.
- Chill mixture for 15 minutes in the freezer so that it's easier to handle.
- Spray oil on your hands to prevent sticking.
- Then, scoop out small portions of the cheese mixture and roll them into balls.
- Then, roll them in your choice of toppings.Â
- Place these mini cheese bites on a serving dish and push a pretzel stick in the center right before serving. Enjoy!
Notes
- Read all my tips above.Â
- Leftovers can be stored in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Be sure to discard the pretzel sticks before storing them because they will become very soggy. Â
Nutrition
An automated tool is used to calculate the nutritional information. As such, I cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information provided for any recipe on this site.
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