Patrick Oconnell
Cheese balls are a popular snack and appetizer, often served at parties and family gatherings. They are made by mixing various types of cheese, such as cheddar, mozzarella, and cream cheese, with other ingredients like garlic, green onion, and seasonings. The mixture is then shaped into small balls, coated with breadcrumbs or nuts, and fried or baked to create a crunchy exterior and creamy interior. Cheese balls can be served immediately or stored in the refrigerator for later consumption. They are a versatile dish that can be customized with different ingredients and themes, making them a fun and tasty treat for any occasion.
Characteristics of Cheese Balls
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Cream cheese, cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, green onion, green chillies, oregano, garlic paste, salt, black pepper, grated potato, chopped corn, red and green capsicum, breadcrumbs, corn flour, nuts (pecans, almonds, cashews), etc. |
| Preparation | Mix ingredients, form into small balls, freeze, coat with breadcrumbs, dip in corn flour slurry, and coat again with breadcrumbs. |
| Cooking Method | Frying |
| Serving Suggestions | Crackers, carrots, celery sticks, etc. |
| Storage | Refrigerate for up to 2 weeks or freeze for up to 4 weeks. |
| Calories | 131kcal |
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What You'll Learn
Preparation and shaping
To prepare the cheese mixture, you can use a combination of cheeses such as cream cheese, mozzarella, and cheddar, along with various seasonings and ingredients like garlic, Italian seasoning, green chillies, and vegetables. For a creamier texture, you can add in some processed cheese or grated potato.
Once you have combined all the ingredients, the cheese mixture will be sticky. Use your hands or a spoon to shape the mixture into small lemon-sized balls, ensuring they are tightly packed to prevent them from splitting during frying. If you're making a large cheese ball, use plastic wrap to help form it into a ball. Place the mixture in the middle of a large piece of plastic wrap and use the wrap to mould it into a ball. Chill the ball in the refrigerator for several hours before serving.
If you're making smaller cheese balls, place them on a plate lined with parchment paper and freeze for about 20 minutes to help them retain their shape. You can also freeze uncooked cheese balls for longer-term storage. Place them in a single layer on a baking tray lined with foil and freeze until solid. Then, transfer them to an airtight container or freezer bag and store them in the freezer.
To coat your cheese balls, prepare a slurry mixture and a breadcrumb coating. Dip the frozen cheese balls into the slurry and then coat them evenly with breadcrumbs. Press lightly with your palm to ensure the coating sticks. You can also roll your large cheese balls in chopped nuts, such as pecans, or other toppings like bacon bits, chopped green onions, or dried cranberries.
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Coating and frying
Before frying, coat the cheese balls in a layer of breadcrumbs. To ensure the breadcrumbs stick, dip the cheese balls in a corn flour slurry before transferring them back to the breadcrumbs and coating them evenly. Press lightly with your palm to ensure the breadcrumbs stick.
You can also freeze the uncooked cheese balls before frying. Place them in a single layer on a baking tray lined with foil and put them in the freezer for 2-3 hours until they are frozen solid. Remove them from the freezer and place them in an airtight container or freezer bag. When you are ready to fry the cheese balls, take them out of the freezer and put them directly into the hot oil, adding an extra minute or two to the frying time.
Finally, fry the coated cheese balls in hot oil. Be careful, as there is a high chance of them bursting open. The frying time will depend on the size of the cheese balls and the temperature of the oil.
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Freezing and storing
Cheese balls can be frozen, but it is worth noting that freezing will affect the texture of the cheese balls. To freeze cheese balls, place uncooked cheese balls in a single layer on a baking tray lined with foil and put them in the freezer for 2-3 hours until they are frozen solid. Then, transfer the frozen cheese balls to an airtight container or freezer bag and store them in the freezer. When you are ready to cook the frozen cheese balls, fry them directly from frozen, adding an extra minute or two to the cooking time.
If you want to store cheese balls in the refrigerator without freezing them, they will stay fresh for several days or up to two weeks, depending on the freshness of your ingredients. To estimate how long your cheese balls will stay fresh, check the expiration dates of the ingredients you have used. If you have used recently purchased ingredients, your cheese balls should last about two weeks in the refrigerator. To store cheese balls in the refrigerator, wrap them tightly in two layers—first in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil—and they will keep their shape and stay fresh.
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Serving suggestions
Cheese balls are a versatile snack and can be served in a variety of ways. A classic way to serve cheese balls is as an appetizer or a party snack. They can be served with a variety of crackers and a spreading knife. You can also serve them with vegetables like carrots and celery sticks.
For a more indulgent option, you can fry the cheese balls and serve them as a crunchy snack with a creamy, melted cheese texture inside. This can be served as a game-night snack or an indulgent evening treat.
If you're serving someone with a nut allergy, it is important to avoid the classic pecan or nut coating. Instead, you can roll the cheese ball in finely chopped parsley and chives, or coat it in a mixture of breadcrumbs and salt for a crunchy texture.
Cheese balls can also be frozen and then fried directly from frozen, adding an extra minute or two to the frying time. This makes them a convenient snack to have on hand for surprise visitors or teenage hunger pangs.
For a festive twist, you can create themed cheese balls by shaping them into different designs and using natural ingredients for colouring, such as carrot or cashews.
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Nut allergies
Firstly, you can simply omit the nuts and still create a tasty cheese ball. The creamy texture and rich flavour of the cheese will remain, and you can add other ingredients to create a crunchy shell. For example, you could roll the cheese ball in bacon crumbles or crispy bacon bits to add a salty richness and extra crunch. This option is especially good if you are already including bacon in your cheese ball, as it is a common ingredient that pairs well with cheese.
Another option is to roll the cheese ball in something sweet like pomegranate arils or dried cranberries, which can add a festive look to your cheese ball, especially during the holidays. You could also try rolling the cheese ball in chopped pretzels for an extra salty coating.
If you are looking for a healthier option, you could roll the cheese ball in seeds, such as pumpkin or sunflower seeds, which will add a crunchy texture and are a good source of nutrients. You could also try rolling the cheese ball in chopped, toasted coconut flakes for a sweet and crunchy alternative.
Finally, if you are looking for a more savoury option, you could roll the cheese ball in chopped, cooked vegetables, such as carrots, cucumbers, or even beetroot for a colourful and nutritious twist.
By considering these alternatives, you can easily accommodate nut allergies and create a delicious and safe cheese ball for everyone to enjoy.
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Frequently asked questions
You can make cheese balls with a variety of ingredients, but a classic recipe calls for cream cheese, cheddar cheese, green onion, and chopped pecans. Other recipes include mozzarella cheese, grated potato, green chillies, oregano, garlic paste, salt, black pepper, chopped corn, red and green capsicum, and breadcrumbs.
First, mix your ingredients in a bowl. Form small balls with the mixture, ensuring they are tightly packed. Freeze the balls for 20 minutes, coat them with breadcrumbs, dip them in corn flour slurry, and then coat them again with breadcrumbs. Fry the cheese balls until they have a crunchy outside and a creamy, melted cheese texture inside.
Cheese balls can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks, depending on the freshness of the ingredients used. They can also be frozen for up to four weeks.
Cheese balls are best served with a variety of crackers and a spreading knife. They can be served as an appetizer or a snack and are perfect for parties and holiday gatherings.
