Randy Chandler
Utz Cheese Balls are a crunchy, munchy, cheesy delight. They are made from real cheese and baked to perfection, resulting in a taste of irresistibly cheesy goodness. With a light and airy texture and a satisfying crunch, these cheese balls are a snack lover's dream. But how are these delicious treats made? Utz has been making snack foods since 1921, starting with potato chips and expanding to include pretzels and cheese balls. The company started making cheese balls in 1990 at the request of Sam's Club, one of its biggest customers, who asked for the iconic barrel packaging. The cheese balls are made with coarsely ground corn meal that is deposited into an extruder, creating a gel that is then cut into bite-sized pieces. After exiting the extruder, the pieces expand and turn into round puffs, which are then baked to remove excess moisture. A seasoning made from vegetable oil and cheddar cheese powder is mixed and sprayed over the cheese balls, resulting in the ultimate cheesy snack.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Flavour | Rich cheddar, tangy cheddar |
| Texture | Crunchy, light, airy |
| Weight | 36.5 oz, 23 oz, 8.5 oz |
| Health | Gluten-free, cholesterol-free, trans-fat-free, kosher certified |
| Brand | Family-crafted since 1921 |
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What You'll Learn
Utz Cheese Balls are made from real cheese
Utz Cheese Balls are made with real cheese. The ingredients list includes corn meal, vegetable oil, whey, maltodextrin, cheese (semisoft and cheddar), milkfat, salt, and various other flavourings and preservatives. The combination of real cheddar flavour and a crunchy texture makes these cheese balls a popular snack.
The Utz story began in Hanover, Pennsylvania, in a small-town kitchen in 1921. Bill and Salie Utz believed that potato chips could be better. They thought that potato chips should be made from clean, simple ingredients that are minimally processed to bring out the natural flavour of farm-fresh potatoes. Over the next 100 years, they expanded their product line to include pretzels, cheese, popcorn, pork rinds, and other delicious snack foods.
The cheese balls are baked, not fried, and are kosher certified. They are also gluten, cholesterol, and trans-fat-free. The baking process ensures that consumers get the freshest, crispiest crunch they crave. The cheese balls are packaged in convenient, resealable barrels to help maintain freshness and crunchiness.
Utz Cheese Balls are a popular snack option for parties and events, or for everyday snacking. The light and crunchy texture, along with the rich cheddar flavour, makes them a favourite among snack lovers. The barrels are available in different sizes, including 23 oz, 35 oz, and 36.5 oz, making them perfect for sharing or enjoying over time.
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The cheese balls are baked to achieve their crunchy texture
The Utz Cheese Balls are baked to achieve their crunchy texture. The baking process involves cooking the cheese balls at a high temperature, which helps to create their light and airy texture while also giving them a crispy exterior. This high-temperature cooking process is what forms the acrylamide in the cheese balls, which is a chemical known to the state of California to cause cancer.
The baking process also ensures that the cheese balls are free of hydrogenated oils and are gluten, cholesterol, and trans-fat free. This makes them a healthier alternative to other fried or oil-cooked snacks. The baking process also helps to enhance the natural flavor of the cheese, giving the Utz Cheese Balls their distinctive tangy cheddar taste.
The cheese balls are baked in a way that ensures they are evenly cooked, with a consistent texture throughout. This is achieved through precise temperature and time control during the baking process. The baking time and temperature are carefully calibrated to ensure that the cheese balls are cooked through, achieving the desired crunchy texture without burning or overcooking.
Utz has been crafting their snacks with care and dedication since 1921, and their cheese balls reflect this long-standing tradition of quality. The baking process is a key step in achieving the distinctive texture and taste that have made Utz Cheese Balls a popular snack choice for cheese lovers of all ages.
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They are packaged in plastic barrels
Utz Cheese Balls are packaged in plastic barrels, with each barrel containing 36.5 oz of cheese balls. The plastic barrels are resealable, helping to maintain the freshness and crunchiness of the cheese balls. This ensures that every bite is as good as the last, and the cheese balls remain delicious and crunchy. The resealable container also allows for bulk ordering, as consumers can easily reseal the barrel to keep the cheese balls fresh. The plastic barrels are ideal for parties or gatherings, as well as for everyday snacking. The large size of the barrel makes it perfect for sharing with family and friends.
The Utz Cheese Balls are crafted with care and dedication, reflecting the long-standing tradition of quality associated with the brand since its inception in 1921. The cheese balls are baked with real cheddar cheese, resulting in a tangy and crunchy snack. They are gluten-free, cholesterol-free, and trans-fat-free, making them a guilt-free treat for consumers. The baking process ensures a fresh and crispy crunch, enhancing the overall taste experience.
The plastic barrels are not only practical for storage and freshness but also contribute to the overall convenience and portability of the product. The barrels can be easily transported and stored, making them suitable for various occasions, including parties, road trips, or everyday snacking at home. The resealable lid ensures that the cheese balls remain fresh and crunchy, even when taken on the go. This feature adds to the versatility of the product, catering to consumers' diverse needs and preferences.
Utz Cheese Balls, packaged in their distinctive plastic barrels, have become a beloved snack for cheese lovers of all ages. The combination of tangy cheddar flavor and a satisfying crunch has made them a popular choice for parties, gatherings, or individual enjoyment. The resealable barrels not only preserve freshness but also provide a generous supply, ensuring that consumers can indulge in their cheesy, crunchy goodness whenever they crave it. The barrels serve as a convenient and functional packaging solution, contributing to the overall appeal and success of Utz Cheese Balls.
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Utz started making cheese balls in 1990
Utz Quality Foods has been around since 1921, when Bill and Salie Utz began making potato chips out of their home in Hanover, Pennsylvania. Over the years, the company expanded its product line to include other snack foods, such as pretzels. In 1990, Utz started making cheese balls, which have since become one of their most famous products.
The idea to create cheese balls came from Sam's Club, one of Utz's biggest customers at the time. Sam's Club wanted to sell the cheese balls in a large barrel instead of the smaller bags that Utz was using for its other products. The Utz design team created the plastic barrel with a clear body and an infamous purple label, which has become iconic and even featured in popular culture.
The cheese balls themselves are puffed corn snacks, coated with a mixture of cheese or cheese-flavored powders. They are made by depositing coarsely ground corn meal into an extruder, which exerts enough pressure to turn it into a gel. This gel is then formed into the distinctive ball shape and seasoned with a combination of vegetable oil and all-natural cheddar cheese powder. The cheese balls are tumbled in a barrel to ensure an even coating of the seasoning and are then sprayed with salt before packaging.
Utz Cheese Balls have become incredibly popular, with the company producing 14 million pounds, or approximately 7 billion cheese balls, in a single year. The large barrel typically contains around 1,100 cheese balls, providing a generous supply for parties or everyday snacking.
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The cheese balls are a popular snack
The largest size cheese ball barrel is perfect for parties or families with big snackers. All you have to do is put them in a bowl and serve, or enjoy them right out of the barrel! The conveniently resealable container allows you to share with everyone and keep any extras fresh.
Utz Cheese Balls are also a versatile snack. They are ideal for gatherings, lunchboxes, road trips, or simply enjoying at home. The convenient packaging and resealable barrels help maintain freshness and crunchiness, ensuring every bite is as good as the last.
In addition, Utz Cheese Balls are gluten-free, kosher certified, and cooked without hydrogenated oils. They are also cholesterol and trans-fat-free, making them a delicious and healthy snack option. The simple ingredients and baking process ensure that you get the freshest, crispiest crunch you crave.
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Frequently asked questions
Utz Cheese Balls are made from real cheese and are baked for a taste of cheesy goodness. They are also cooked without hydrogenated oils and are gluten, cholesterol and trans-fat free.
Utz Cheese Balls are made with coarsely ground corn meal that’s deposited into an extruder, which exerts enough pressure onto the corn meal to turn it into a gel. The gel is then squeezed into long strings and cut into bite-sized pieces. When the pieces exit the extruder, they expand and turn into round puffs. They are then baked in an oven to remove any excess moisture.
Utz Quality Foods has been around since 1921, when Bill and Salie Utz began making potato chips out of their home in Hanover, Pennsylvania. Over time, they started to branch out to make other snack foods, such as pretzels and cheese balls. Utz started making cheese balls in 1990 when Sam's Club, one of its biggest customers, asked if they could be packaged in a barrel rather than in bags.
Utz Cheese Balls are a good source of protein and calcium from the cheese. They are also gluten-free, kosher-certified, and cholesterol-free.
Utz Cheese Balls can be purchased at most major retailers, including Walmart, Target, and Sam's Club. They are also available for purchase online through Amazon and Walmart.com.
