Description
Spider Cheeseballs are a spooky and fun Halloween appetizer featuring creamy cheese balls coated in black sesame seeds and decorated with pretzel stick legs to resemble spiders. These bite-sized treats combine smooth cream cheese, tangy goat cheese, herbs, and spices, making them perfect for party platters and festive gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese Mixture
- 2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 4 ounces goat cheese
- 4 green onions, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon dried dill weed
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Coating and Decoration
- 1/2 cup black sesame seeds
- 2 cups pretzel sticks
- Additional pretzels and crackers for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the cheese mixture: In a bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and extra virgin olive oil until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Then incorporate the goat cheese, chopped green onions, minced garlic, dried dill weed, dried oregano, kosher salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly combined. Chill the mixture in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to firm up.
- Form the cheeseballs: Using your hands, roll the chilled cheese mixture into small balls approximately 1 1/2 inches in diameter for small spiders, or larger balls about 3 inches in diameter for large spiders. Ensure the balls are evenly shaped for consistent presentation.
- Coat the cheeseballs: Roll each cheese ball in the black sesame seeds, pressing gently to ensure that the seeds adhere well and the entire surface is coated, giving the appearance of a spider’s body.
- Create the spider legs: For small spiders, break four pretzel sticks in half to create eight shorter legs, positioning four legs on each side of the cheese ball by gently inserting them into the sides. For large spiders, use eight full pretzel sticks to make four legs on each side, similarly inserting them to resemble spider legs extending outward.
- Chill before serving: Wrap the decorated Spider Cheeseballs in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the legs to set. Serve chilled alongside additional pretzels and a variety of crackers for dipping and snacking.
Notes
- For a stronger garlic flavor, you can roast the garlic cloves before mincing and adding.
- Use a mix of pretzel shapes or sizes to create varied spider leg looks for added visual interest.
- These cheeseballs can be made a day in advance and stored tightly wrapped in the refrigerator.
- Black sesame seeds provide both flavor and the perfect dark color to mimic spiders; if unavailable, finely crushed black olives could be an alternative.
- To make the spiders extra festive, add edible eyes using small pieces of olives or peppercorns.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cheeseball (about 50g)
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 280mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
