Cheese Ball
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Every time I make this Cheese Ball, the combination of sharp Cheddar and tangy cream cheese gets me. It’s coated in crunchy pecans and walnuts that stick to every cracker, while green onions and garlic powder add savory depth. It’s creamy, rich, and perfectly spreadable. You’ll watch it disappear in minutes at your next gathering.
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I make this for holiday parties, game day snacks, potlucks, and family gatherings because everyone always asks for the recipe. It’s perfect for make-ahead entertaining, feeds a crowd easily, and travels really well. You can swap in whatever nuts or add-ins you love. It keeps well in the fridge for up to 1 week or frozen for up to 1 month.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll need all the ingredients shown in the photograph below.
How to Make Cheese Ball with Step-By-Step Instructions
Scroll down for the full recipe card containing a full printable recipe and measurements in both US customary and metric units.
You’ll mix cream cheese with sharp Cheddar, shape the mixture into a ball, and coat it with crunchy nuts for the perfect party appetizer.
Prepare the Nuts
Place your pecans and walnuts on a plate and set them aside. You’ll use these to coat the cheese ball later, and having them ready on a plate makes the coating process much easier.
I use a food processor to roughly chop the nuts if they’re not already chopped; it works like a breeze every time.
Mix the Cheese Base
Place your cream cheese in a medium bowl, then beat it just until smooth. Add cheese, vegetarian Worcestershire sauce, green onion, hot sauce, garlic powder, dried parsley, dried oregano, and black pepper and mix thoroughly to combine.
A hand mixer works perfectly for blending everything into a smooth, uniform mixture without any lumps.
Shape the Cheese Ball
Using a silicone rubber spatula, scrape the mixture into the center of the bowl, making sure all the sides are scraped. Then, with greased hands, shape the cheese mixture into a large ball.
Greasing your hands with a bit of oil or cooking spray prevents the cheese from sticking to your fingers.
Coat with Nuts
Now, holding the cheese ball in one hand, scoop the nuts with the other hand, and press them gently into the cheese. Make sure to evenly coat the ball.
The nuts should stick easily to the soft cheese surface. A marble pastry board gives you a clean, cool surface to work on while coating the cheese ball.
Chill and Serve
Once the cheese is coated, wrap it in plastic wrap and place it in the fridge for approximately an hour so it can firm up. Remove it from the fridge 15 to 20 minutes before serving so that it softens slightly.
Serve with crackers, bruschetta, vegetables, or your favorite foods to dip in cheese. I love arranging everything on a bamboo serving board or a large serving platter for an attractive presentation. Enjoy!
If you’re taking your cheese ball to a potluck, party, or gathering, keep it chilled during transport by placing it in an insulated carrier with ice packs. Wrap the cheese ball tightly in plastic wrap, then place it in an airtight container to prevent it from getting crushed.
It can sit at room temperature for up to 2 hours at your event, but if it’s outdoors on a warm day, keep it in a cooler until serving time. Bring the crackers, vegetables, or serving items separately so they stay crisp during transport.
Equipment
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup pecans roughly chopped
- ⅓ cup walnuts roughly chopped
- 16 ounces cream cheese softened
- 2 cups sharp Cheddar cheese freshly grated
- 1 teaspoon vegetarian Worcestershire sauce
- 2 green onions chopped
- 1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper ground
Instructions
- Place your pecans and walnuts on a plate and set aside.⅓ cup pecans, ⅓ cup walnuts
- Place your cream cheese in a medium bowl and mix it until it's smooth. Add cheese, vegetarian Worcestershire sauce, green onion, hot sauce, garlic powder, dried parsley, dried oregano, and black pepper and mix thoroughly to combine16 ounces cream cheese, 2 cups sharp Cheddar cheese, 1 teaspoon vegetarian Worcestershire sauce, 2 green onions, 1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon dried parsley, ½ teaspoon dried oregano, ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Using a rubber spatula, scrape the mixture into the center of the bowl, ensuring all the sides are scraped. Then, with greased hands, shape the cheese mixture into a large ball.
- Now, holding the cheese ball in one hand, scoop the nuts with the other hand, and press them gently into the cheese, ensuring an even coating of the ball .
- Once the cheese is coated, then wrap it in plastic wrap and place it in the fridge for approximately an hour in order for it to firm up. Remove it from the fridge 15 – 20 minutes before serving so that it softens slightly.
- Serve with crackers, bruschetta, vegetables, or your favorite foods to dip in cheese. Enjoy your delicious cheese ball!
Notes
Nutrition
How to Store Leftovers
Keep your cheese ball in a deep airtight container or a prep bowl with a lid in the fridge for up to 1 week. The nuts might soften slightly after a day or two, but the flavor stays delicious.
For longer storage, wrap the cheese ball tightly in plastic wrap, then place it in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw it overnight in the fridge before serving, then let it sit at room temp for 15 to 20 minutes so it softens to the perfect spreading consistency.
What to Serve With Cheese Ball
Serve it with buttery crackers, crispy baguette slices, or pita chips for scooping up the creamy mixture. Fresh vegetables like celery sticks, carrot sticks, bell pepper strips, and cucumber slices add crunch and freshness that balances the rich cheese.
You’ll also love pairing it with apple slices, pear slices, or grapes for a sweet contrast, or with pretzels and breadsticks for a salty, crunchy option. It’s perfect alongside other appetizers like spinach dip, stuffed mushrooms, or a veggie platter.
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