Cheese Ball Bites Recipe

4.89 from 26 votes

Cheese Ball Bites Recipe

Cheese Ball Bites are easy party appetizers with cream cheese, cheddar, garlic salt, bacon, pecans, chives, and pretzel sticks.

Prep Time10

Refrigerate1

Total Time1 10

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American

Servings: balls

Author: Kristyn Merkley

Ingredients

12 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, (do not use pre-shredded cheese)
1 teaspoon garlic salt, with parsley flakes
1 teaspoon paprika
black pepper, freshly ground
8 slices bacon, cooked and chopped
⅓ cup pecans, finely chopped
¼ cup chives, chopped
18 pretzel sticks

Instructions

Line a small baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
In a medium mixing bowl combine cream cheese, shredded cheese, garlic salt, paprika and pepper.
Use a cookie scoop to form 14 mini balls from the cream cheese mixture and place on prepared baking sheet. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
In a shallow dish mix together chopped bacon, pecans and chives.
Roll cream cheese balls into this mixture, then insert a pretzel stick into the top of each ball.
Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Notes

Recipe Tips.

Use softened cream cheese so the filling mixes smoothly.
Freshly shred the cheddar instead of using pre-shredded cheese for the best texture.
Chill the cheese balls for at least 1 hour before rolling so they are firm enough to coat.
Finely chop the bacon, pecans, and chives so the coating sticks evenly.
Make-ahead tip: roll and chill the cheese balls ahead of time, then add pretzel sticks right before serving so they stay crisp.

Make ahead of time. Prepare these up to 8 hours before you plan to serve them. Simply follow the recipe, and cover the cheese balls with plastic wrap. Before serving, remove from the fridge and add pretzel sticks.

Store. Remove the pretzel sticks before storing. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Nutrition