Description
These Cheese Ball Bites are creamy, savory appetizers made with cream cheese, shredded cheddar, and a blend of spices, rolled in a crunchy mixture of crispy bacon, roasted pecans, and fresh chives. Each bite is finished with a pretzel stick for easy serving, making them perfect for parties and gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese Ball Mixture
- 1 1/2 (12-ounce) blocks cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Toppings and Garnish
- 8 slices bacon
- 1/3 cup roasted salted pecans, finely chopped
- 1/3 cup fresh chives, chopped
- 18 pretzel sticks
Instructions
- Prepare the cheese ball mixture: In a large bowl, combine softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar, garlic powder, and paprika. Season the mixture with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Mix well until all ingredients are fully incorporated.
- Form cheese balls and chill: Using a cookie scoop or a spoon, form the cheese mixture into 18 small balls, about 1 inch in diameter each. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Refrigerate the balls for about 1 hour until firm.
- Cook and chop bacon: While the cheese balls chill, heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Cook the bacon slices, turning occasionally, until crispy, about 8 minutes. Remove bacon and drain on paper towels. Transfer to a cutting board and finely chop once cooled.
- Mix bacon topping: In a shallow bowl, combine the finely chopped bacon, roasted salted pecans, and chopped fresh chives. Mix thoroughly to blend the flavors.
- Coat cheese balls and assemble: Remove the cheese balls from the refrigerator. Roll each ball in the bacon, pecan, and chive mixture to coat evenly. Insert a pretzel stick into each coated ball to serve as a handle.
- Rest before serving: Allow the assembled cheese ball bites to come to room temperature for about 15 minutes before serving. If not serving immediately, loosely cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Notes
- For best results, use full-fat cream cheese to ensure a creamy texture.
- Make sure the bacon is fully cooled before chopping to easily achieve fine pieces.
- You can substitute pretzel sticks with toothpicks or cocktail sticks if preferred.
- If you want to prepare these ahead, shape the cheese balls and refrigerate; add the bacon-pecan coating just before serving to keep the coating crisp.
- Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper according to your taste preferences.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cheese ball bite
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
