Mini Cheese Ball Bites
Today, I’m sharing my mini cheese ball bites recipe! It’s that time of year when we love to get together with family and friends. Do you love appetizers as much as I do?
What I love about this recipe is that we all have the ingredients in our refrigerator or in the pantry. In November and December, cream cheese goes on sale, and boy do I stock up!
If you watch for the double packs (two 8-ounce packages) of cream cheese, sometimes they are even cheaper than the single ones. This recipe is always a hit when we take it to a party.
The recipe has some Frank’s Hot Sauce in it. Not too much spice, but just enough to give it some really good flavor with a bit of a kick.
I’ve been providing a bunch of recipes for the past week or two. I wanted to help my readers be prepared when asked to provide a special entree or treat. Besides, I love to cook, and this recipe journey has been really fun for me. I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I loved getting it ready for this post.
Items You May Need In The Kitchen
Mini Cheese Ball Bites
Step One
These are the ingredients. Whether you make this as a regular cheese ball or follow the instructions to make mini cheese ball bites, this is one of my very favorite recipes at this time of year.
Step Two
Place the cream cheese and butter in your mixing bowl to soften.
Step Three
Combine the cream cheese, butter, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, pepper, and Frank’s hot sauce.
Step Four
This is what it looks like after you mix it together.
Step Five
Grate the cheese on the fine side of the box grater.
Step Six
Add the grated/shredded cheese until thoroughly mixed together.
Step Seven
Use a cookie scoop to make the “cheese balls.” I used a one-inch size cookie scoop. Refrigerate the cheese balls for 1-2 hours to make sure they are firm and solid in order to roll the mini cheese balls in the coatings of choice.
Finished Product
Use a cookie scoop to make the “cheese balls.” As mentioned, I used a one-inch size cookie scoop, but you could make them larger or smaller as preferred by your family. Right before serving, roll the cheese balls in the different coatings and carefully put a pretzel stick in each one. Place them on your serving tray. The pretzel sticks will become soggy, so don’t put them in until ”JUST” before you serve them.
Mini Cheese Ball Bites Recipe
- 2 8 – ounce packages of Cream Cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup Butter, softened
- 4 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon Frank's Hot Sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 cup white sharp cheddar cheese, grated/shredded
- 1 cup dried cranberries, chopped
- 1 cup crushed or finely chopped pecans
- 1 cup green onions, finely chopped
- 20-30 stick pretzels
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I used my Kitchen Aid mixer to combine the cream cheese, butter, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, pepper, and Frank's hot sauce. Add the grated/shredded cheese until thoroughly mixed together. Use a cookie scoop to make the "cheese balls." I used a one-inch size cookie scoop. Refrigerate the cheese balls for 1-2 hours to make sure they are firm and solid in order to roll the mini cheese balls. Right before serving, roll the cheese balls in the different coatings and carefully put a pretzel stick in each one. Place them on your serving tray. The pretzel sticks will become soggy, so don't put them in until ''JUST" before you serve them.
P.S. You can make this same recipe as a regular cheese ball. Either way, it's fabulous!
Can I make just a cheese ball?
Yes, you can. I make this recipe into a cheese ball, I just wanted you to try this fun “small bite” treat. Skip the pretzels and you have a cheese ball pictured below.
How do I store these?
I store mine in the refrigerator for 1-2 weeks covered with plastic wrap. If you’re planning on serving later, wait to put in the pretzel sticks since they will get soggy if left in the ball very long.
Can I freeze them?
I have never frozen them, but I heard from a reader she made several cheese balls for a wedding and froze them ahead of time.
Can I make them ahead of time?
Absolutely, you can make them one week in advance. Roll the mini cheese balls in your choice of mixtures, and place a pretzel in them right before serving.
Holiday Recipes
Strawberry Pretzel Salad Recipe
Old-Fashioned Vintage Christmas Candy Recipes
How To Make The Best Christmas Treat Ideas
Final Word
My goal is to teach people how to cook, and this recipe gives me so much joy when I make it. It’s all about showing our kids and grandkids how to prepare meals, even appetizers. Some day they’ll appreciate it, I promise. May God Bless this world, Linda
Oh no! More goodies! I’m having to add more days for dieting in January! February?
These look sooo good. Too easy to eat. These will not last at all. My family will love them. They are all big cream cheese eaters. You really have some great and easy recipes. Thank you, I think.
Hi Mary, thank you for the 5 stars, my friend!! My daughter and I just said the very same thing, dieting in January!! LOL! I’ve been wanting to share so many of my recipes for the holidays!! I love cream cheese as well! Linda
In my opinion you can keep the recipes coming. I love your recipes. I may not make them exactly like you make them but then again like you said in another recipe our families will eat.
Hi Jackie, thank you for the 5 stars, my sweet friend. Thank you for your kind words, they mean so much to me. It’s nice we can share recipes and how we would change out the ingredients. I miss being around people so much, I’m sharing these for the holidays! Hugs, Linda