Cheese Ball

5 from 3 votes

This simple, delicious cheese ball recipe is a party favorite. It's such a tasty appetizer, and you only need a handful of ingredients.

Prep Time15

Total Time15

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American

Servings: servings

Calories: 173kcal

Author: Sapana Chandra

Ingredients

¾ cup raw pecans
8 oz cream cheese softened
8 oz sharp cheddar freshly grated
1 tablespoon finely minced fresh chives
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley
1 tablespoon lemon juice
½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon onion powder
⅕ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

Using a stand mixer, beat softened cream cheese until smooth.
Add cheddar cheese, chives, parsley, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, garlic powder, and black pepper. Taste and adjust the seasonings if needed.
Using a spatula, transfer the mixture to a plastic wrap-lined bowl. Use the wrap to mold into a firm round ball, then chill at least 1 hour until set.
Meanwhile, toast pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring often, until fragrant, about 3-5 minutes. Let it cool, then finely chop and spread evenly on a plate.
Unwrap the chilled cheese ball and gently roll it in the chopped pecans, pressing lightly so they stick evenly.
Place the cheese ball on a platter and serve with crackers, veggies, pretzels, or crostini.

Notes

Chop the ingredients into small pieces. All the ingredients you mix need to be in small pieces. This ensures there's consistency throughout the mixture. It also makes it easier to spread.

Shred your own cheese. It's so worth it to grate or shred your own cheese because it'll taste richer and creamier. Pre-shredded cheese comes with anti-caking agents. A common one is cellulose, and it keeps it from clumping. Buy a block of cheese and enjoy a fresher, tastier cheese ball.

Add the coating after chilling the cheese ball. Let the cheese ball get firm in the fridge without the pecans. By adding the coating later, you'll have a nice, crunchy exterior.

Use a cheese knife to spread. If you're using thinner or delicate crackers, a cheese or butter knife is a must. It'll allow you to spread the cheese without breaking the cracker.

Nutrition