Easy Cheese Ball
This incredibly easy Cheese Ball recipe is a delicious party favorite, the perfect appetizer or snack. It’s perfect for making ahead and serving during the festive season or get togethers.
I can always remember a delicious Cheese Ball at most get togethers, especially during the Holiday Season. So quick to make and with few ingredients it makes the perfect appetizer or snack. This recipe is a bit different than the Classic cheese ball recipe, which contains cheddar cheese, sour cream or even garlic.
Recipe Ingredients
- Cream cheese – whole fat
- Feta cheese – crumbled
- Butter
- Black olives – I prefer black olives but you could use green
- Chives – chopped chives or green onion if you prefer
- Walnuts – or even chopped pecans or hazelnuts
Be sure to use whole fat cream cheese that is sold in the brick form and not in a tub. Tubs are usually creamier with added ingredients.
How to make an Easy Cheese Ball
In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer beat the cream cheese, feta and butter until smooth.
With a spatula or spoon fold in the olives and chives. Cover and chill for 1-2 hours.
Shape into a ball, roll in the chopped nuts.
Chill 1-2 hours before serving.
Tips for making the best Cheese Ball
I recommend either lightly greasing your hands, or using food-safe gloves. If your cheese ball has cracks in it, squeeze a few times and reshape into a ball.
In order for the walnuts to stick to the cheese ball, they need to be finely chopped. You can use a knife to chop them, or place in a food processor and pulse until chopped into fine pieces. Don’t keep in the food processor too long or the nuts will end up becoming like powder.
To help the walnuts stick to the cheese ball, after rolling in the nuts, press them into the cheeseball with your hands.
Do cheese balls need to be refrigerated? Yes, this contains cream cheese, so it will need to be refrigerated to stay fresh.
How many days in advance can you make a cheeseball?
You can make this recipe up to a week ahead of time as long as it is wrapped tightly and stored properly.
How long can a Cheese Ball sit out?
For maximum freshness and to prevent bacterial growth, a cheese ball should only be left out 4 hours at the most at room temperature, if your house is warmer I would say 2 hours at the most.
How to store it
Store your cheeseball or leftovers by wrapping tightly in plastic wrap and placing in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep for up to 2 weeks in the fridge. For extra freshness, add a layer of foil after the saran wrap and wrap around the cheese ball tightly.
How to freeze a Cheese Ball
It should be well wrapped in plastic wrap, then rewrapped in foil. Be sure to cover every part so that it doesn’t dry out. Then place in a freezer safe container or bag. It will keep for up to 1 month in the freezer.
Thaw the cheese ball in the fridge and never on the counter since it container milk products.
What are the best crackers to serve with it?
Multigrain, sea salt and black pepper, rosemary crackers, pita chips or even crostini. You could also use a different flavored crackers such as onion, bacon You could even make it gluten free and serve it with gluten free bread or crackers.
When you are looking for an easy appetizer that will also be a crowd please I hope you try this Easy Cheese Ball. Be sure to let me know what you think. Buon Appetito!
More Easy Appetizer Recipes
Easy Cheese Ball
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese (whole)
- ¾ cup feta cheese (crumbled)
- ¼ cup butter (softened)
- 4 ounces black olives (chopped)
- 1 tablespoon chopped chives
- ¾ cup finely chopped walnuts
Instructions
- In a large bowl beat the cream cheese, feta and butter until smooth. With a spatula or spoon fold in the olives and chives.
- Cover and chill for 1-2 hours.
- Shape into a ball, roll in the chopped nuts. Chill 1-2 hours before serving. Enjoy!