Festive cheese balls
These playful cheese balls are a festive twist on a classic cheeseboard and are super easy to make. Roll cream cheese and cheddar in crunchy coatings for bite-sized nibbles that are budget-friendly and perfect for sharing. Serve them on crackers or crostini for easy, one-bite party snacks.
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By Verity Genco
Ingredients
- 200g/7oz full-fat cream cheese
- 200g/7oz mature cheddar, coarsely grated
- 4–5 tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped
- 30g/1oz crispy onions, lightly crumbled
- 50g/1¾oz salted pretzels, crushed into small chunky pieces
- 50g/1¾oz chilli-flavoured tortilla chips, crushed to crumbs
- freshly ground black pepper
- 20–25 bite-sized round crackers, to serve
Method
Mix the cream cheese, cheddar and 2–3 tablespoons of the chives in a bowl until combined. Season with black pepper.
Cover and chill for about 30 minutes, until firmer.
Scoop out portions of about 15g/½oz (a generous heaped teaspoon) and roll between damp hands into balls – you should get 20–25.
Prepare the coatings – mix the crispy onions with the remaining 2 tablespoons of chives in one bowl. Place the crushed pretzels in a second bowl, and the crushed tortilla chips in a third bowl.
Roll a third of the cheese balls in each coating until evenly covered. Arrange on crackers and serve as a festive platter.
Recipe tips
The cheese balls also work well served on crostini or toasted baguette slices instead of crackers.
The cheese mixture can be made a day ahead and kept covered in the fridge – just roll and coat on the day of serving.
