Patrick Oconnell
Cheese balls are a unique, creamy, savoury appetizer that can be made in 15 minutes. They are a great gluten-free option for parties, buffets, bridal and baby showers, and as the centrepiece on a cheese board. They are usually made with a cream cheese base and mixed with a variety of ingredients, such as meats, veggies, chocolate, seasonings, shredded cheese, or fruit. They can be coated in nuts, parsley, sprinkles, or breadcrumbs. But what should you serve with a cheese ball?
The classic option is crackers, but there are many other choices. You could try pretzels, celery sticks, carrot sticks, pita chips, crostini, or even slices of baguette or sourdough bread. If you want to get creative, you could make your own artisan crackers with dried cranberries, pumpkin seeds, pistachios, or dried apricots.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of food | Crackers, pretzels, breads, vegetables, pita chips, bagels, crostini, baguette slices, celery sticks, carrot sticks, tortilla chips, bagel chips, pita chips, French bread, water biscuits, saltines, artisan crackers, sourdough bread, crostini, pita triangles, pita chips, cucumber slices, grapes, pears, pomegranates, fresh herbs |
| Flavours | Cheddar, blue cheese, cream cheese, pecans, hot sauce, parsley, garlic powder, oregano, black pepper, Worcestershire sauce, sharp cheddar, scallions, port wine, brie, almonds, dried cranberries, pumpkin seeds, pistachios, dried apricots, rosemary, sea salt, olive oil, sourdough, cayenne pepper, paprika, spinach, mango chutney, raisins, sour cream, green onions, green chilli, pecans, walnuts, green pepper, shallots, shrimp, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, Old Bay seasoning, ranch seasoning, bacon, BBQ sauce, parsley, cheddar cheese, BBQ sauce, beef, chocolate, shredded cheese, fruit, mango, apricot, goat cheese, honey, cranberries, pistachios, turkey, graham crackers, pretzels, wasabi peas, cilantro, parsley, beef, chocolate, shredded cheese, fruit, mango, apricot, goat cheese, honey, cranberries, pistachios |
What You'll Learn
Crackers, pretzels, bread, vegetables, and pita chips
Crackers are a classic pairing with cheese balls. Buttery crackers, such as Ritz crackers, are a traditional choice, but you can also get creative and make your own artisan crackers with additions like dried cranberries, pumpkin seeds, pistachios, or dried apricots. For a cheddar and herb cheese ball, rosemary and sea salt artisan crackers would be a great choice. Everything sourdough crackers, made by sprinkling everything bagel spices and herbs on top of a sourdough cracker, would also pair well with a cheese ball. The slight saltiness and hint of sourdough flavour will complement the cheese ball nicely.
Pretzels are another option for something crispy and thin to dip into a cheese ball. They have a salty outer layer and are quite dry, making them perfect for a small sampling of the appetizer.
Bread is also an option to serve with cheese balls. Sourdough bread, with its tangy flavour, is a nice change from crackers. French bread, with its mild flavour, also works well as the cheese flavours will overpower the bread.
Vegetables are another classic pairing with cheese balls. Carrots, celery, and cucumber are all great options for dipping into a cheese ball.
Pita chips can also be served with cheese balls and can be flavoured with a variety of spices and herbs. Parmesan herb garlic pita chips would be a delicious pairing. You can even make a spicy version using cayenne pepper and paprika.
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Fruits like apples, pears, grapes, and pomegranates
Apples
Apples pair well with cheddar cheese balls. You can slice apples into wedges and serve them alongside the cheese ball for a refreshing and crunchy bite. Alternatively, you can create a unique apple-based cracker to complement your cheese ball. Artisan crackers can be made with dried cranberries, pumpkin seeds, pistachios, or dried apricots, adding a sweet and nutty twist to your apple slices and cheddar cheese ball combination.
Pears
Pears create a wonderful match with cheese balls, especially blue cheese. Like apples, pears can be sliced into wedges and served as a refreshing and juicy complement to the rich and creamy cheese. Pears also go well with a variety of cheeses, so you can experiment with different types of cheese balls to find your favourite pairing.
Grapes
Grapes are a classic choice to serve with cheese, and they make an excellent addition to a cheese board or platter. Their sweet and juicy flavour can help balance the saltiness or tanginess of the cheese ball. You can pair grapes with a variety of cheeses, such as creamy cheeses like brie or stronger cheeses like blue cheese or cheddar.
Pomegranates
Pomegranates add a burst of colour and flavour to your cheese board or platter. Their sweet and tangy flavour can complement a variety of cheeses. Pomegranate seeds can be scattered over the cheese ball or served on the side, providing a refreshing contrast to the richness of the cheese.
When serving cheese balls with fruit, it is essential to consider the type of cheese used in the cheese ball and the flavours you want to highlight. Fresh herbs can also be added as edible garnishes to enhance the presentation and flavour of your fruit and cheese ball combination.
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Salty snacks like pretzels, bagels, and potato wedges
Salty snacks are a great pairing with cheese balls. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Pretzels
Pretzels are a crispy and thin snack with a salty outer layer. They are perfect for dipping into a soft cheese ball, scooping out the goodness without the need for a knife. For a sweet and salty pairing, serve pretzels with a dessert cheese ball, such as one made with peanut butter and chocolate.
Bagels
Bagels are a classic pairing with cheese balls, especially as a good cheese ball often starts with a cream cheese base. Halve and toast mini bagels ahead of time so they are the perfect size and ready to go for snacking. For a fun twist, season bagel chips with everything bagel spices and herbs.
Potato wedges
Roasted potato wedges are a tasty side dish that becomes even more delicious when paired with cheese. Enjoy them warm or at room temperature, with generous swipes of your cheese ball.
Other salty snacks
Other salty snacks that go well with cheese balls include pita chips, crostini, and crackers. For a fun twist, use sourdough crackers and sprinkle everything bagel spices and herbs on top. For a healthier option, serve carrot or celery sticks on the side.
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Nuts like pecans, almonds, and pistachios
For a classic cheese ball, you can combine cream cheese, cheddar cheese, green onions, and spices, and then coat it in chopped pecans. This is a simple, yet tasty combination that can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator. You can also try substituting the pecans with almonds or another type of finely chopped nut.
If you want to get creative, you can shape your cheese ball into a hedgehog using almonds for the spikes. This is a fun and unique idea that is perfect for Easter, baby showers, or Thanksgiving parties.
For a more festive option, especially during the holidays, you can make a Christmas tree-shaped cheese ball coated in pistachios and dried cranberries or raisins. This will add a pop of color and a sweet flavor to your cheese ball.
Another way to incorporate nuts into your cheese ball is to include them inside the mixture. For example, you can make a cashew cheese ball, which was surprisingly the most popular "cheese" ball at a party, according to one source. This is a great option for lactose-intolerant guests.
So, whether you choose to coat your cheese ball in pecans, almonds, or pistachios, or mix things up by including nuts in the cheese mixture, these combinations are sure to impress your guests!
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Dried fruits like cranberries, raisins, and apricots
Dried fruits provide a nice contrast in texture and taste to the creaminess of the cheese ball. The sweetness of the fruit also pairs well with the saltiness of the cheese, creating an appealing flavor combination.
When creating a cheeseboard with a cheese ball, consider adding a variety of dried fruits, such as cranberries, raisins, and apricots, to provide different flavor profiles for your guests to enjoy. These dried fruits can be paired with different types of crackers, breads, and other accompaniments to create unique and tasty bites.
Additionally, dried fruits can be used as a coating for the cheese ball itself. For instance, chopped dried cranberries, raisins, or apricots can be rolled onto the outside of the cheese ball, adding a crunchy texture and a burst of flavor. This technique not only enhances the presentation of the cheese ball but also offers a surprising and delightful contrast in taste and mouthfeel.
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Frequently asked questions
Suggested crackers include artisan crackers, sourdough crackers, pretzels, crostini, pita chips, and saltines.
Some non-cracker options are bagels, crostini, pita chips, celery sticks, carrot sticks, and tortilla chips.
Some unique pairings are pear and apple slices, halved and toasted mini bagels, roasted potato wedges, and crudités.
Some sweet cheese ball options are mango chutney, dried fruit, honey goat cheese, and apricot and goat cheese.
