Mini Cheese Balls are the perfect bite-sized party appetizer. Serve alongside a veggie tray with crackers and your guests will graze until they’re gone!
Whether it’s a holiday gathering or a Superbowl party you’re preparing for, you want to have plenty of appetizers or snacky foods, amiright?? Well, these delicious mini cheese balls fit the bill perfectly. You can serve them with crackers, a veggie tray, or just as they are with a pretzle stick “handle” to pop it right in your mouth. Whichever way you choose, you won’t be able to stop with just one!
They are creamy in the center, with a crunchy bacon and herb coating that will have your tastebuds singing. Superbowl is coming, and if you serve these, you are sure to be the MVP of the day!!
What you need to make Mini Cheese Balls
Full list with measurments is below in the printable recipe card!
- Bacon
- Cream Cheese
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese
- Garlic Powder
- Paprika
- Salt & Pepper
- Parsley
- Pretzel Sticks (optional)
Cheese balls are one of those appetizers that pretty much everyone loves, and they typically don’t need a lot of ingredients. So simple, yet so tasty and addicting! Try to stop at just one!
How to make Mini Cheese Balls
Full printable recipe card below!
- In a large nonstick skillet over medium heat (or in the oven!), cook bacon until nice and crispy. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate to drain grease, then finely chop. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, stir together softened cream cheese, cheddar cheese, garlic powder, and paprika and season with salt and pepper. Use a medium cookie scoop to form mixture into small balls and transfer to a lined baking sheet. Refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour.
- In a shallow bowl, stir together bacon and parsley.
- Place cheese balls, one a time, into the bacon-parsley mixture and coat on all sides. Stick a pretzel stick in the top (optional) and place back on baking sheet or serving tray. Bring to room temp for about 15 minutes before serving, and store covered in the fridge if not using right away.
Other great appetizers to serve at a Superbowl party are my Jalapeno Bacon Deviled Eggs and Spicy Coconut Lime Baked Chicken Wings!
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Mini Cheese Balls
Ingredients
- 12 slices bacon
- 16 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups shredded cheddar
- 1 ½ tsp garlic powder
- 1 ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1/3 cup finely chopped parsley
- 24 pretzel sticks
Instructions
- In a large nonstick skillet over medium heat (or in the oven!), cook bacon until nice and crispy. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate to drain grease, then finely chop. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, stir together softened cream cheese, cheddar cheese, garlic powder, and paprika and season with salt and pepper. Use a medium cookie scoop to form mixture into small balls and transfer to a lined baking sheet. Refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour.
- In a shallow bowl, stir together bacon and parsley.
- Place cheese balls, one a time, into the bacon-parsley mixture and coat on all sides. Stick a pretzel stick in the top (optional) and place back on baking sheet or serving tray. Bring to room temp for about 15 minutes before serving, and store covered in the fridge if not using right away.
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