By: Author Joy Shull
Posted on Last updated:
This classic cheese ball recipe is made with cream cheese, green onions, and sharp cheddar cheese. A must have appetizer for the holidays!
This is the best cheese ball recipe!
This is my go to recipe for an easy and tasty cheese ball that only uses simple ingredients and comes together in just a few minutes.A classic favorite that is always a hit for the holidays!
A cheese ball is a delicious addition to any holiday party, and a tradition that I grew up with, like many others did.
This delicious appetizer is so flavorful and has that perfect contrast of crunch in the pecans. Fresh green onions, cream cheese, and a few simple spices add just the right amount of flavor for every bite.
It is so good we made a Pimento Cheese Ball and Pumpkin Cheese Ball version too!
Ingredients Needed
- cream cheese
- sour cream
- sharp cheddar cheese: grated fresh
- green onions
- chopped pecans
- garlic powder
- salt
- pepper
How to make a Cheese Ball
Step 1: First, allow your cream cheese to soften for a few minutes. You will need two blocks of cream cheese.
Step 2: Once softened, beat together the cream cheese, sour cream, garlic powder, fresh chopped green onions, salt, and pepper until combined with a hand mixer.
Step 3: Grate 8 oz of sharp cheddar cheese and beat that in.I always recommend that you take the extra few minutes to grate your cheese fresh. It really makes all the difference in flavor.
Step 4: Cover and chill the filling mixture in the fridge for around an hour or so to firm it up. This will help make it easier to form the cheese ball.
If you want to make this ahead, you can leave the batter overnight in the fridge, then just finish rolling and shaping it right before serving.
Step 5: Once you are ready to make the cheese ball, use greased hands and a spatula to form the mixture into a ball shape.
I first shaped the ball roughly with a spatula then sprayed my hands with olive oil spray to finish shaping it and that worked perfectly.Oiling your hands will help keep the cheese from sticking too much to you.
Step 6: Next, roll the cheese ball in the pecan pieces until it is coated on all sides. You need about a cup of chopped up pecans.
Step 7: Just place the chopped pecans in a bowl and roll the cheese ball until it is totally covered in chopped nuts on all sides. Your cheese ball is now ready to serve!
Tips for Success
- Grate the cheese yourself: Don’t skip grating the cheese yourself! The extra flavor and texture are just right for this recipe.I used sharp cheddar cheese, but medium cheddar would work just as well.
- Buy pecan pieces: To save time, buy your pecans in pieces so you don’t have to spend time chopping them up.
- Use a butter knife to serve this cheese ball
- Refrigerate until ready to serve: do not leave this out at room temperature for longer than 2 hours.
What crackers to serve with this Cheese Ball Recipe
Personally, ritz crackers are my favorite cracker to serve with a cheese ball, but pretty much any cracker is going to be delicious!
- triscuits
- pita chips
- wheat thins
- pretzel chips
- other crackers
How to store a Cheese Ball
Leftover cheese ball can be kept in the fridge in an airtight container for 3-5 days. I doubt they will last that long though. In our house any leftovers are quickly devoured!
More Appetizers You’ll Love
- Chocolate Chip Cheese Ball
- Creamy Spinach Dip
- Cream Cheese Fruit Dip
- Homemade Veggie Dip
- Pimento Cheese Spread
- Sour Cream Potato Chip Dip
- Slow Cooker Spinach Artichoke Dip
- Crock Pot Bean Dip
- Crock Pot Queso Dip
Are you making this recipe? I want to see! Don’t forget to tag me on instagram @buildyourbite and hashtag #buildyourbite with your recipe creations!
Be sure to pin this recipe for later and followBuild Your Bite on Pinterestfor all the latest delicious recipes!
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Yield: 1 cheese ball
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Additional Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
This classic cheese ball recipe is always a favorite appetizer for the holidays!
Ingredients
- 16 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup sour cream
- 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ cup fresh green onions, minced or finely diced
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 cup pecan pieces**
Instructions
- Beat together the softened cream cheese, sour cream, garlic powder, green onions, salt, and pepper until combined
- Grate the cheddar cheese block fresh
- Beat in the sharp cheddar cheese
- Cover and chill the cheese ball mixture for around an hour, until it begins to firm
- Use a spatula and greased hands to form the cheese ball shape, then roll it in the pecans until it is coated on all sides
- Serve with your favorite crackers and enjoy!
Notes
Start with one cup of pecan pieces for rolling, and add more if necessary.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 - 5 days
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 16Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 130Total Fat: 12gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 22mgSodium: 140mgCarbohydrates: 2gFiber: 1gSugar: 1gProtein: 4g
