Description
Crowd-pleasing mini cheese ball bites bring party perfection with delightful bite-sized bliss. Creamy cheese, crunchy nuts, and festive herbs combine for an irresistible appetizer that guests will devour in moments.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup (113 grams) shredded mozzarella
- 1/4 cup (25 grams) grated Parmesan
- 15 slices peppered salami, chopped
Herbs and Seasonings:
- 2 tablespoons (8 grams) chives, chopped
- 2 tablespoons (8 grams) fresh parsley, minced
- 2 tablespoons (8 grams) fresh basil, minced
- 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Additional Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) sour cream
- 1/4 cup (40 grams) Kalamata olives, chopped
- 1/4 cup (40 grams) sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1/4 cup (40 grams) red bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 cup (60 grams) pecans, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup (60 grams) pistachios, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon (4 grams) parsley, minced
- 24 pretzel sticks
Instructions
- Pulverize cream cheese, sour cream, mozzarella, and Parmesan in a spacious mixing vessel until achieving a silky, uniform consistency.
- Incorporate finely diced salami, chopped olives, minced sun-dried tomatoes, diced bell pepper, splash of vinegar, freshly snipped chives, chopped parsley, torn basil leaves, onion and garlic powders, oregano, salt, and freshly ground pepper, blending thoroughly to distribute ingredients evenly.
- Craft compact spheres approximately walnut-sized, using gentle rolling motions between palms to maintain structural integrity.
- Prepare a coating mixture by combining roughly chopped pecans, crushed pistachios, and finely minced parsley in a separate shallow dish.
- Delicately roll each cheese sphere through the nutty blend, ensuring complete and even coverage by gently pressing the coating into the surface.
- Just before presentation, puncture each cheese ball with a crisp pretzel stick, positioning it slightly off-center for an elegant, inviting appearance.
Notes
- Customize cheese blend by swapping different cheeses like sharp cheddar or gouda for unique flavor profiles.
- Ensure ingredients are at room temperature for smoother mixing and easier ball formation.
- For gluten-free version, replace pretzel stick with herb sprig or use gluten-free pretzels.
- Prep cheese balls ahead and refrigerate for up to 3 days, enhancing flavor development and convenient entertaining.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Rolling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 210 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg