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Home » Holiday Recipes » Christmas

Mini Cheese Balls 4 Ways

A closeup photo of Tiffany holding a bouquet.
By Tiffany
Modified: Jun 19, 2026 · Published: Nov 7, 2025

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These mini cheese balls in 4 ways are the perfect bite-sized appetizer for holidays, parties, or game day grazing boards. With one simple cheese ball base and four delicious topping combinations-just roll, chill, and serve with crackers, pretzels, or fresh veggies.

A round wood cutting board topped with cheese balls arranged in a wreath shape with rosemary leaves and cranberries. A red napkin sits at the top.

Ingredients

  • Cream Cheese
  • Shredded Cheddar Cheese
  • Worcestershire Sauce
  • Seasoned Salt
  • Dried Beef
  • Shredded Cheddar Cheese
  • Ranch Seasoning
  • Chives
  • Chopped Pecans
  • Fresh Parsley
  • White Sesame Seeds
  • Black Sesame Seeds
A close up of cheese balls arranged in a wreath with fresh rosemary and cranberries. They're sitting on a dark wood cutting board.

How to Make Mini Cheese Balls

  • In a medium-sized bowl, add cream cheese, cheddar cheese, Worcestershire sauce, and seasoned salt. Use a hand mixer to combine.
A round white mixing bowl of ingredients for cheese balls. A bottle of Worcestershire sauce and Lawry's seasoned salt sit next to the bowl.
A round white mixing bowl of mixed ingredients for cheese balls. A bottle of Worcestershire sauce and Lawry's seasoned salt sit next to the bowl.
  • Use a small cookie scoop to make approximately 1 tablespoon balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
  • Refrigerate the baking sheet for 15 minutes. While they refrigerate, make the coatings.
A gray rectangle baking sheet with 35 mini cheese balls and a small cookie scoop on it.
A baking sheet partially seen at the top of the image with uncoated cheese balls. Four small bowls with shredded cheese in a round white bowl, white and black sesame seeds in a blue bowl, a light green bowl of chopped chipped beef, and a green bowl of pecan mixture. Each bowl has a silver fork and a small cheese ball coated in each topping.
  • In a food processor, chop the chipped beef. Add the beef to a small bowl and clean the food processor.
  • Next, mix cheddar, ranch seasoning, and chopped chives in the food processor. Add the cheese mixture to a small bowl and clean out the food processor.
  • Add pecans and parsley to the food processor and mix. Place the chopped pecans and parsley in a small bowl.
  • In an additional bowl, mix black and white sesame seeds.
A baking sheet with mini cheese balls coated in a variety of four toppings.
  • Remove the cheese balls from the fridge and cover each one with the four coatings.
  • Optionally, pretzel sticks, crackers, or pita chips can be placed on top of each ball.
A close up of cheese balls arranged in a wreath with fresh rosemary and cranberries. Each cheese ball has a pretzel stick in the top of it. They're sitting on a dark wood cutting board.

Tips

  • Start with Softened Cream Cheese. Let the cream cheese sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before mixing - it'll blend more smoothly with your other ingredients.
  • Use a Cookie Scoop. A small cookie scoop or tablespoon makes portioning even and quick. Roll between your hands for smooth, uniform balls. If you’re having trouble rolling them, place the mixture in the fridge for 20-30 minutes.
  • Serve with a Variety. Offer crackers, pretzel sticks, or veggie dippers (like celery or bell pepper strips) so guests can mix and match.
  • Make-Ahead. Cheese balls can be made 1-2 days in advance. Store covered in the fridge, then coat right before serving so toppings stay crisp.
  • Keep Them Cool. Serve on a chilled platter or over a tray with ice underneath if they'll sit out for a while - especially for outdoor events.
A closeup of a pecan coated cheese ball with a cracker sticking out of the top of it. Fresh rosemary leaves sit around the cheese ball.

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A close up of cheese balls arranged in a wreath with fresh rosemary and cranberries. Each cheese ball has a pretzel stick in the top of it. They're sitting on a dark wood cutting board.

Mini Cheese Balls

Tiffany
These mini cheese balls in 4 ways are the perfect bite-sized appetizer for holidays, parties, or game day grazing boards. With one simple cheese ball base and four delicious topping combinations-just roll, chill, and serve with crackers, pretzels, or fresh veggies.
No ratings yet
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 0 minutes mins
Refrigeration Time 15 minutes mins
Total Time 30 minutes mins
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Servings 35 Cheese Balls
Calories 72 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 16 ounces Cream Cheese room temperature
  • 1 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Seasoned Salt I always use Lawry's

Chipped Beef Cheese Balls

  • 2 ounces Dried Beef

Cheddar Ranch Cheese Balls

  • ¼ cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese
  • 1 teaspoon Ranch Seasoning
  • 2 Stalks Chives

Pecan Crusted Cheese Balls

  • ¼ cup Chopped Pecans
  • Fresh Parsley

Sesame Cheese Balls

  • 1 tablespoon White Sesame Seeds
  • 1 tablespoon Black Sesame Seeds

Serving

  • Petzel Sticks, Crackers, Pita Chips

Instructions
 

  • In a medium-sized bowl, add cream cheese, cheddar cheese, Worcestershire sauce, and seasoned salt. Use a hand mixer to combine.
  • Use a small cookie scoop to make approximately 1 tablespoon balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
  • Refrigerate the baking sheet for 15 minutes. While they refrigerate, make the coatings.
  • In a food processor, chop chipped beef. Add the beef to a small bowl and clean the food processor. Next, mix together cheddar, ranch seasoning, and chopped chives in the food processor. Add the cheese mixture to a small bowl and clean out the food processor. Add pecans and parsley to the food processor and mix. Place the chopped pecans and parsley in a small bowl. In an additional bowl, mix together black and white sesame seeds.
  • Remove the cheese balls from the fridge and cover each one with the four coatings.
  • Optionally, pretzel sticks, crackers, or pita chips can be placed on top of each ball.

Nutrition

Calories: 72kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 2gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 18mgSodium: 173mgPotassium: 32mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 218IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 51mgIron: 0.2mg

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A closeup photo of Tiffany holding a bouquet.

Hello! I'm Tiffany.

I'm the recipe developer and food photographer behind Simply Happenings. I'm also a wife, mom to two adventurous little boys, registered nurse, and I live in the great Midwest. I like to feature high-protein recipes, one-pot meals, and delicious recipes you can cook with your favorite household appliances.

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