These Mini Cheese Balls are the ultimate party appetizer—bite-sized, packed with flavor, and totally addictive! Whether you’re hosting a crowd or just need a fun snack, these little cheesy bites are guaranteed to disappear fast. Plus, they’re easy to customize with your favorite toppings!
This recipe calls for a cheese ball. I recommend trying my Everything Bagel Cheese, Ranch Cheese Ball Recipe or my Jalapeno Popper Cheese Ball are fun twists on this classic!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy– You can have this holiday appetizer ready in just 20 minutes.
- 2-Ingredient Appetizer– You can use a store-bought cheese ball to make the process even easier!
- Easy to Customize: Add whatever toppings you want to customize this super simple snack.
This is the perfect New Year’s Eve appetizer, or really any holiday! You can make the mini bites in advance which leaves you more time to enjoy the party and make some memories.
One of the reasons we love the holidays is because it gives us a reason to serve finger foods. They are so fun and you have about a million different appetizer options to choose from. Why is this one top of our favorites? Cheese.
We love all things cheese and this one does not disappoint. You can use a homemade cheese ball or pick up your favorite one from the grocery store. Since they are served in bite sized portions you won’t have to worry about piling up crackers or finding pieces stuck into the dip. It’s a win-win.
Ingredient You’ll Need
These Mini Cheese Balls come together quickly with just a few simple ingredients, making them perfect for last-minute appetizers. Whether you go with store-bought or homemade cheese balls, the toppings and serving style are what really elevate this dish.
- Cheese Ball (store-bought or homemade): You can use a pre-made cheese ball for convenience or whip up your own. If making homemade, let the cheese soften at room temperature for easy mixing.
- Toppings: Get creative with toppings like chopped nuts, bacon bits, herbs, or crushed crackers. Press the toppings firmly onto the cheese balls so they stick and add texture.
- Phyllo Cups (optional): These mini cups make serving super easy and add a satisfying crunch. Toast the phyllo cups for a few minutes to keep them crisp before filling with the cheese balls.
Variations and Substitutions
These Cheese Ball Bites are super versatile, so feel free to mix things up! Here are a few variations and substitutions to make them your own:
- Cheese options: Swap out the base cheese for goat cheese, blue cheese, or a cheddar blend for different flavor profiles.
- Toppings: Not into nuts or bacon? Try rolling the cheese balls in crushed pretzels, dried cranberries, or fresh herbs for a unique twist.
- Phyllo cups: Don’t have phyllo cups? Serve your cheese balls on crackers, pretzel sticks, or even cucumber slices for a lighter option.
- Make it spicy: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or some chopped jalapeños to your cheese mixture for a spicy kick.
Mini Cheese Ball Bites
Bacon is always a crowd favorite and one of my go-to’s with this dip. Once you have got some of that crumbled, and maybe a few nut varieties, you can get to work!
- Roll a few teaspoons of your cheese ball into the topping of your choosing.
- I highly recommend using a scoop like this one (affiliate).
- Place into a pastry cup and serve!
Easy, right? Your guest will think you slaved for hours to create the cute little concoctions and really it took you no time at all! It really gives you a show stopping treat that looks fancy with minimal effort.
Storage and Make-Ahead Instructions
These mini cheese balls are the perfect appetizer for prepping ahead, so you can focus on hosting when the party starts! Here’s how to store and make them ahead of time:
- Make-Ahead: You can prepare the cheese balls up to 3 days in advance. Just shape them, roll in toppings, and store them in an airtight container in the fridge until ready to serve.
- Storage: Leftover cheese balls can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Make sure they are tightly covered or stored in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
- Freezing: For longer storage, freeze the cheese balls (without toppings) on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container. Thaw in the fridge before adding toppings and serving.
Tips for Success:
Chill the mixture: After mixing the cheese ball ingredients, refrigerate the mixture for about 30 minutes to make shaping the balls easier.
Uniform size: Use a small cookie scoop or tablespoon to portion the cheese mixture, ensuring all the mini cheese balls are the same size for even presentation.
Room temperature serving: Let the cheese balls sit out for 10-15 minutes before serving to soften slightly and bring out the flavors.
Double coating for extra crunch: Roll the cheese balls in toppings twice to get a thicker, crunchier layer—especially if you’re using nuts or pretzels.
Topping variety: Offer a few different topping options like herbs, bacon, and nuts on separate trays so guests can mix and match to their preference.
Recipe FAQs
Yes! You can make the cheese balls up to 3 days in advance. Just store them in an airtight container in the fridge until ready to serve.
Press the toppings firmly into the cheese balls, and make sure the cheese is cold but not too firm so the toppings adhere better.
Phyllo cups are optional. You can serve the cheese balls on crackers, pretzel sticks, or cucumber slices as alternatives.
If the mixture feels too soft, pop it in the fridge for 30 minutes to firm up before shaping the cheese balls.
More Quick Appetizers
Still Hungry? Follow One Sweet Appetite on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook!
Cheeseball Bites
Ingredients
- 1 traditional cheese ball
- Topping of choice chopped bacon, chopped pecans, chopped pistachios
- phyllo cups
Instructions
- Roll 2 teaspoons of your cheeseball into the topping of your choice. Place in a filo cup and serve!
- If making ahead make sure you store them in the refrigerator.
Equipment
Nutrition
Did You Make This Recipe?
Share it with me on Instagram @1sweetappetite and follow pinterest for more!
More Must-Try Appetizer Recipes
- Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
- Sweet Pepper Poppers
- Asian Zing Bites
- The Best Deviled Eggs
- Blender Salsa Recipe
- Cheesy Potato Casserole
- Artichoke Dip
Reader Interactions
Find even more recipes!
Be sure to share it in the comments below and follow me on Pinterest, Facebook and Instagram for even more delicious recipes.
Comments & Reviews
Christie says
These look so so yummy! Pinning!