Patrick Oconnell
Cheese balls are a classic party appetizer made with a combination of cheeses, various seasonings, and coatings. The most popular cheeses used in cheese balls are cream cheese and cheddar cheese, which are combined with additives like green onions, herbs, or processed meats. The mixture is then formed into a ball and coated with breadcrumbs, nuts, or bacon bits. While cream cheese and cheddar cheese are the most commonly used cheeses, other varieties such as mozzarella, Swiss cheese, or Alpine cheeses can also be used, depending on the desired texture and melting properties.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Cheese | Cream cheese, cheddar, mozzarella, Swiss cheese, or Alpine cheese |
| Other Ingredients | Herbs, nuts, processed meats, green onions, corn flour, breadcrumbs, mashed potatoes, pretzels, crackers, or veggies |
| Preparation Method | Formed into a ball, rolled in nuts, fried, baked, or refrigerated |
| Storage | Can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week or frozen |
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What You'll Learn
Melting cheeses
Cheese balls are a popular snack, often served at parties. They are made with a variety of cheeses, including mozzarella, cheddar, and cream cheese, along with other ingredients such as herbs, spices, and potatoes. The key to achieving a melting texture in cheese balls is to use cheeses that melt well and to prepare the cheese properly before cooking.
Mozzarella is a popular choice for cheese balls due to its melting properties. However, it is important to use the right type of mozzarella to achieve the desired melting effect. Low-moisture, whole milk mozzarella melts more easily than fresh, high-moisture mozzarella balls. To aid melting, mozzarella balls can be sliced and drained in a sieve or fridge before cooking. Shredded mozzarella also melts faster than balls or cubes.
Cheddar cheese is another commonly used melting cheese in cheese balls. It provides a creamy flavour and a stringy, stretchy texture when melted. Combining cheddar with other cheeses, such as cream cheese or mozzarella, can create a balanced flavour profile and improve meltability.
Cream cheese, a soft cheese, is also used in cheese balls. It contributes to the creamy texture and flavour when combined with other cheeses. Soft cheeses, such as Swiss cheese, are suitable for cheese balls as they melt more easily than hard, aged cheeses like Parmesan.
In addition to the type of cheese, the cooking method plays a crucial role in achieving a melting texture. Frying or baking cheese balls at the appropriate temperature ensures a crispy exterior and a melted, gooey, or creamy centre. Deep frying is a popular method, but it requires careful handling to prevent the cheese balls from bursting open in hot oil. Oven-baking or air frying are alternative options that can also produce melted cheese centres.
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Nuts and coatings
A variety of nuts can be used to coat a cheese ball, including pecans, almonds, or another finely chopped nut of your choice. If you don't want to use nuts, you can substitute them with bacon bits, chopped green onions, or Craisins. It is important to chop the nuts finely so that the cheeseball is easier to serve and eat.
To coat the cheese ball in nuts, hold the cheese ball in one hand and use your other hand to gently scoop the chopped nuts and press them onto the ball. Make sure to coat all sides of the cheese ball evenly. After coating the cheese ball in nuts, it is recommended to chill it in the refrigerator for about an hour before serving. This will help the nuts adhere to the cheese ball and make it easier to slice and serve.
If you want to make the cheese ball ahead of time, it is best to wait to add the nuts until closer to serving to prevent them from getting soft. The uncoated cheese ball can be stored in an airtight container or bag in the refrigerator for up to a week.
In addition to nuts, there are other coatings and breading options for cheese balls. One option is to use bread crumbs. You can double bread the cheese balls by dipping them in a flour or cornflour mixture, then coating them in bread crumbs, and repeating the process for an extra crispy texture. Another option is to use a beaten egg as a coating before breading to help the crumbs adhere better.
Some recipes suggest frying the cheese balls directly without any coating, while others recommend freezing the cheese balls before breading and frying them directly from the freezer. It is important to note that the dough for the cheese balls should not be too soft, as it may not be able to contain the cheese filling during frying.
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Spices and seasonings
Garlic
Garlic is a popular seasoning in cheese balls, adding a savoury kick to the mix. It can be used in the form of fresh garlic cloves, garlic powder, or granulated garlic. Garlic helps to enhance the flavour of the cheese and creates a signature aroma.
Italian Seasoning
Italian seasoning is a blend of herbs and spices commonly used in Italian cuisine, such as basil, oregano, thyme, and rosemary. It adds a depth of flavour to the cheese ball, evoking the tastes of Italy.
Ranch Seasoning
Ranch seasoning is a popular choice for cheese balls, adding a tangy and savoury flavour. It typically includes a blend of herbs, spices, and dried vegetables. The exact blend may vary, but it often includes ingredients like dried onion, parsley, garlic, and dill.
Hot Sauce
Hot sauce is often used to add a spicy kick to cheese balls. It can be combined with other seasonings to create a balanced flavour profile. Popular hot sauces used include classic hot sauce, Sriracha, or peri peri sauce.
Worcestershire Sauce
Worcestershire sauce is a savoury condiment that adds a unique flavour boost to cheese balls. It has a complex blend of spices and a tangy flavour that pairs well with the cheeses used.
Pepper
Black pepper is commonly used in cheese balls to add a sharp, pungent flavour. It can be used in ground or crushed form, depending on the desired texture. Additionally, pepper-based seasonings like pepper jack cheese can be used to add a spicy kick.
Nuts
Finely chopped nuts are often used as a coating for cheese balls, adding a crunchy texture and nutty flavour. Popular choices include pecans, walnuts, and poppy seeds.
Other Seasonings
Other seasonings can be added to cheese balls to customise the flavour. This includes lemon juice, scallions, bell peppers, chilli flakes, oregano, and taco seasoning.
The versatility of cheese balls allows for a wide range of spices and seasonings to be used, making it a fun and creative appetiser to experiment with different flavour combinations.
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Other ingredients
Cheese balls are a great, low-maintenance party appetizer. They can be made with a variety of cheeses, such as mozzarella, cheddar, or cream cheese, and are often coated in breadcrumbs or chopped nuts.
Cheese balls can be made with a variety of other ingredients to add flavour and texture. Some common additions include:
- Green onions: Finely chopped green onions are often added to cheese balls for a mild onion flavour.
- Spices and seasonings: Dried parsley, garlic powder, dried oregano, ground black pepper, and hot sauce are commonly used to season cheese balls.
- Nuts: Chopped pecans, almonds, or other nuts are used to coat the outside of the cheese ball. They add a crunchy texture and a nutty flavour.
- Meat: Processed meats such as bacon bits can be added to cheese balls for a savoury, salty flavour.
- Fruits and vegetables: Some people add chopped jalapenos or mix in pineapple for a sweet and spicy flavour.
- Breadcrumbs: Double breading the cheese balls can make them extra crispy when fried or baked.
- Mashed potatoes: Some recipes call for mashed potatoes to be mixed with the cheese to create a dough that can be fried or baked.
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Preparation and serving
Cheese balls are a great, low-maintenance party appetiser that can be made in advance and served with crackers, pretzels, or veggies. The best cheese ball recipe has plenty of cheddar cheese, green onions, and seasonings mixed with cream cheese. It's then coated in chopped nuts like pecans, almonds, or bacon bits.
To make a classic cheese ball, start by placing cream cheese in a mixing bowl and mixing until smooth. You can use regular or low-fat cream cheese. Next, add in your choice of cheese (grated, not pre-shredded), green onion, and seasonings. For a classic cheese ball, use cheddar cheese, green onions, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, parsley, garlic powder, oregano, and pepper. Mix all the ingredients well and use a rubber spatula to scrape the sides of the bowl.
Once the mixture is well combined, lightly grease your hands and form the mixture into a round ball. If your dough is sticky, apply some oil to your palms to help shape the ball. If you're making potato cheese balls, be sure to use freshly made mashed potatoes as leftovers tend to be too soft to contain the cheese filling during frying. Now, place your choice of coating on a plate. This could be chopped nuts like pecans, almonds, or bacon bits, or bread crumbs. Hold the cheese ball in one hand and use the other hand to scoop and gently press the coating onto the outside of the ball, turning to coat all sides.
Wrap the cheese ball in plastic wrap and refrigerate for about an hour to allow it to firm up. Cheese balls can be made up to a week in advance, but it's best to wait to add the nuts or breading until closer to serving so they don't get soft. To serve, place the cheese ball on a platter with a cheese spreading knife and the desired crackers, pretzels, or veggies. Enjoy!
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Frequently asked questions
Cheese balls are usually made with a combination of cream cheese and cheddar cheese.
Yes, softer cheeses like mozzarella or Swiss cheese can also be used. Hard, aged cheeses like Parmesan are not recommended as they don't melt quickly enough.
Cheese balls are often flavoured with green onions, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, parsley, garlic powder, oregano, and pepper. They are typically coated in chopped nuts like pecans, almonds or rolled in bacon bits, and served with crackers, pretzels, or veggies.
Cheese balls can be stored in the refrigerator for several days or up to 2 weeks, depending on the freshness of the ingredients used. They can also be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to a week before adding the nuts or other coatings.
