You can never go wrong with a cheese ball, especially when hosting a holiday gathering! Salty, crunchy, and cheesy, it's the perfect appetizer for guests to munch on as they visit with each other.

I love how simple they are to throw together, and everyone loves snacking on them before a rich and hearty meal.

Homemade Cheese Balls

Cheese balls will forever remind me of my best friend Katie. She made a cheese ball one of the first times that she met my back-then husband-to-be. Mr. Fiance had turned his nose up at the cheese ball, and we just laughed. He had no idea that Katie had been making them for years for her mom's deli. We were snacking on it, and before we know it, Thomas has the plate and literally eats the whole thing before we even had time to ask for another bite. We still tease him about the cheese ball stealing incident all these years later. But I can't blame him... This cheese ball is definitely worth stealing!

In the past, I've made mini cheese balls and cute little cracker packs to give to neighbors on holiday goodie plates. I thought a little salty would break up all the sweet nicely. To make the cracker packs, just tear off a 6- or 7-inch piece of parchment paper, fold it in half, and then cut it 3 times. Staple up each side to create a little pocket that measures about 3 inches tall by 4 inches wide.

This recipe will make one giant cheese ball or 8 mini cheese balls that are about ½-cup each. Wrap the big cheese ball or smaller ones individually in plastic wrap, tying off the ends with yarn. Chill them in the fridge for at least an hour to firm up before serving.

What is a cheese ball made of?

Traditional cheese balls are made of some sort of soft cheese with a few flavorful additions and rolled in chopped nuts. This recipe is super salty and savory, and is made of cream cheese, green onions, chopped roast beef (the secret ingredient that makes it SO good), garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce, and chopped pecans for the outside (optional).

What do you eat with cheese balls?

You can eat whatever you like with cheese balls! I prefer crackers, but you could also spread some on small slices of toasted baguette or dip sturdy chopped veggies in it, like cucumbers or celery.

You can never go wrong with a cheese ball, especially when hosting a holiday gathering! Salty, crunchy, and cheesy, it's the perfect appetizer for guests to munch on as they visit with each other. I love how simple they are to throw together, and everyone loves snacking on them before a rich and hearty meal. #cheeseball #homemadecheeseball #cheeseballrecipe #easycheeseball #easyappetizer #partyappetizer #holidayappetizer

How long do cheese balls last?

Cheese balls stored wrapped in plastic wrap in the fridge can last up to 5 days, but the sooner you eat it the better and fresher it tastes.

What are the best crackers for a cheese ball?

Because cheese balls are pretty thick, it's best to use sturdier crackers for dipping. If you have a crumbly, buttery cracker, it'll still taste good but they may break easier.

How do you make cheese balls?

Simply mix up the cheese and other additions with your hands in a bowl, roll it into a ball, coat it in chopped nuts, and chill in the fridge for an hour for everything to mingle and firm up.

How to make a cheese ball:

Combine the cream cheese, green onion, roast beef, garlic powder, and Worcestershire sauce.
Using clean hands, blend everything together really well.
To make mini cheese balls, take a handful of the cream cheese mixture, and pat it into a ball about the size of your fist. You should get about 8 balls. Roll each ball in nuts, if you choose, then wrap in plastic wrap, and keep in the fridge until you are ready to use them.
To make a party-sized cheese ball, scrape as much of the cream cheese mixture as you can from the bowl into your hands. Pat and roll in between your hands to form a ball. Roll in nuts if you are going to, reshape, and then wrap in plastic wrap.
Let it firm up in the fridge for at least 1 hour before serving.