The Best Spicy Cheese Ball Recipe For Entertaining (2024)

It's day 5 of the 12 Days Of Christmas 2018 event and today we are sharing Holiday Party Food Ideas. I'm sharing a guest favorite spicy cheese ball recipe that is always a hit when we host gatherings.

It is very quick and easy to make either as one large cheese ball or served in individual cheese ball bites. What makes this recipe so popular, is that it has a spicy kick but without the heat.

Guest Favorite Spicy Cheese Ball Recipe

If I don't serve this delicious spicy cheese ball when entertaining, I hear about it! You'll be surprised when you learn what secret ingredient makes this recipe such a hit. I've included a printable recipe card further down in the post.

Welcome to Day 5 of the Fourth Annual 12 Days of Christmas Series!

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GO HERE for the complete list of Dates and Topics plus a collection of the most popular holiday ideas including ornaments, games, recipes, and more from all 50 plus talented bloggers!

It's Day 5 and we are sharing Holiday Party Food Ideas!

12 Days of Christmas

DIY Gift Ideas - Upcycled Basket Holiday Hostess Gift
DIY Christmas Countdown - Christmas Countdown Santa Cottage
DIY Kid's Crafts - Easy Snowflake Craft To Make With Your Grandkids
Holiday Party Food - Spicy Cheese Ball Recipe (You Are Here)
DIY Ornament Ideas - Three Unique Recycled Sweater Ornaments
Holiday Decor Ideas - Milk and Cookies Tray For Santa
Christmas In A Jar - Retro North Pole Christmas Diorama
Pretty Gift Wrapping Ideas - Eco-Friendly Holiday Gift Wrap and DIY Gift Tags
Christmas Trees - Sparkly Red Burlap Tabletop Christmas Trees
Something Sweet - Family Holiday Favorite Walnut Strudel Cookies
Stockings - Unique High Heel Christmas Stocking For A Fashionista

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So what is the secret ingredient that makes this spicy cheese ball so good?

Sharp cold packed cheddar cheese! I use the McLaren's Imperial brand because it's readily available here in Canada but here is another cold pack cheddar cheese alternative.

I've tried other types of cheddar and it is not the same. I've yet to taste a cheese ball as good as this recipe.

Spicy Cheese Ball Recipe Ingredients

250 gram Sharp Cold Packed Cheddar Cheese (alternative)
125 g ( 1/2 package) Cream Cheese
1 tbsp Lemon Juice
1/4 tsp Garlic Powder
1/4 tsp Tabasco Sauce
1 tsp Chili Powder
1 tsp Paprika

Does this spicy cheese ball pack the heat?

It has just the right amount of spices to give it a punch of flavor without the heat. I do not tolerate spicy foods but I can eat this cheese ball with no problem.

Can I make this cheese ball ahead of time?

This cheese ball is even more flavorful when made the day before. Wrap it in plastic wrap and store it in the fridge until ready to serve.

How To Make The Spicy Cheese Ball Recipe

First, dice the cheddar and cream cheese into small chunks to fit in a small food chopper.

Next, add the lemon juice, Tobasco sauce, and garlic powder into a small Food Chopper. On the puree setting, gradually pulse the ingredients until they are blended (like pictured below).

Set the creamy ingredients onto a sheet of wax paper or parchment paper and form it into a flat ball. My preference is to split it in half to form two smaller cheese balls. Serve one and have the other in the fridge to replenish as needed.

Another alternative is to form it into small individual cheese ball bites. You will need to double the recipe for the latter.

Cover the cheese ball in plastic wrap and place it in the fridge for at least an hour to get firm.

Combine the paprika and chili powder in a small bowl. Sprinkle the spice mixture onto a sheet of parchment or wax paper. Roll the cheese ball into the spice mixture so it gets a generous coating on the sides and top.

Cover the cheese ball with plastic wrap until ready to serve. For a festive touch during the holidays, garnish the cheese ball with sprigs of fresh rosemary and cranberries. Serve with a heavier cracker.

What crackers are best served with this cheese ball?

I would recommend you serve the cheese ball with a heavier more dense cracker like Ritz, Triscuit, or Table Water Crackers, to name a few.

As promised, here is the printable recipe card below.

Recipe Yield: 48 8g servings

Author: Interior Frugalista

Guest Favorite Spicy Cheese Ball Recipe

This recipe is so popular at my house that if I don't serve it during the holidays, I hear about it! One ingredient makes this the best spicy cheese ball ever without the heat.

prep time: 15 Mcook time: total time: 15 M

ingredients:

250 gram Sharp Cold Packed Cheddar Cheese
125 g Cream Cheese or 1/2 package
1 tbsp Lemon Juice
1/4 tsp Garlic Powder
1/4 tsp Tabasco Sauce
1 tsp Chili Powder
1 tsp Paprika

instructions:

How To Make The Spicy Cheese Ball

Dice cheddar and cream cheese and place them in a small food chopper.
Add lemon juice, Tabasco sauce, and garlic powder.
Puree until soft and smooth.
Shape into a flat ball.
Wrap cheese ball in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour until firm.
Combine chili powder and paprika in a small bowl.
Sprinkle spice mixture on parchment or wax paper.
Roll the cheese ball in spice mixture until well coated on the sides and top.
Wrap in waxed paper or plastic wrap in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Place crackers on the top of the cheese ball to form a Christmas ornament stem.
Garnish with fresh rosemary sprigs and cranberries.
Serve with a thicker dense cracker.

Calories
30.53

Fat (grams)
2.65

Sat. Fat (grams)
1.51

Carbs (grams)
0.38

Fiber (grams)
0.04

Net carbs
0.34

Sugar (grams)
0.13

Protein (grams)
1.37

Sodium (milligrams)
44.53

Cholesterol (grams)
7.79

Nutritional information is for the cheese ball only and does not include the cracker's nutritional value.

Created using The Recipes Generator

FAQs

How long can a cheese ball sit out? ›

The U.S. Department of Health doesn't recommend keeping any perishable food sitting out of the fridge for more than two hours — and that's certainly the case for soft cheeses, like cottage or cream cheese, brie, or fresh mozzarella.

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Can you freeze a homemade cheese ball? ›

Cheese balls freeze quite well. Again, it's best to wrap the cheese ball in one layer of plastic wrap, then one layer of aluminum foil. Freeze for up to four weeks. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.

Tell Me More ›

Does Costco have cheeseballs? ›

Utz Cheese Balls, 35 oz | Costco.

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How do you firm up a cheese ball? ›

Cover the cheeseball in cling wrap and refrigerate for about 1 hour to allow it to firm up. Take it out of the refrigerator about 20 minutes before serving to allow it to soften just slightly.

What cheese can sit out the longest? ›

Hard cheeses like Parmesan could be out for 24 hours and be fine, but a young cheddar is more vulnerable. “You will see oiling off and drying out from it sitting out in open air,” Smukowski explains. If it starts to look like it's glistening, that's a sign to either put it back in the fridge or toss it.

Keep Reading ›

Why is freezing not recommended for cheese? ›

Before freezing, the moisture in a cheese is distributed evenly throughout its interior, along with fat, protein, and minerals. Freezing turns that moisture into ice crystals, which damages the cheese's structure and can affect whether its texture is crumbly or pliable, firm or pasty after thawing.

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How long will a homemade cheese ball last in the refrigerator? ›

Storing in Fridge: If you start with fresh ingredients, you can store the cheese ball in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Cover any leftovers with plastic wrap and store in an airtight container. How to Freeze: I prefer a freshly made cheese ball, BUT you can freeze cheese balls.

Find Out More ›

Can you freeze cheese in a ziplock bag? ›

You can freeze soft cheese by grating it and putting it in a plastic bag. Make sure to squeeze the air out of the bag before sealing it tightly. To freeze hard cheese, simply cut it into chunks and wrap it in parchment paper and foil before placing it in an airtight plastic bag, the Food Network recommends.

Show Me More ›

What are the best crackers for Cheese Ball? ›

What to Serve with Cheese Ball. That's an important question and I obviously have a strong opinion. Here are some options: Crackers – Ritz Crackers, Wheat Thins, Multi-Grain, Milton's.

Get More Info ›

What can I add to a cheese board for fun? ›

Our favorites are picked veggies, olives or cute little pickles! If you are going ultra fancy, you can pick up some large, beautiful capers like these. Dried or Fresh Fruits: Grapes are classic, and in the fall you should garnish your cheese platter with concords if you can get your hands on them.

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What are the best cheese combinations? ›

Cheese Pairing Chart

Cheese texture	Food
Semi-soft (Fontal, provolone)	Apples, grapes, roasted or grilled vegetables
Semi-hard (Asiago, gouda)	Nuts, dried fruit, dark chocolate
Hard cheese (Romano, Parmesan)	Nuts, honey, olives, salted meats, fresh vegetables

1 more row

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What are the ingredients in Costco cheese balls? ›

Brown Jasmine Rice, Corn Flour, Cheddar Cheese Seasoning [Sugar, Non Dairy Creamer (Glucose Syrup, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Sodium Caseinate, Acidity Regulator (340), Anticaking Agent (551)), Salt, Cheese Powder (Cheese Solids (Milk, Salt, Enzyme Rennet), Milk Solids, Salt, Anticaking Agent (339, 551)), Whey Protein ...

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Were cheese balls discontinued? ›

To celebrate, the company is giving away 350 canisters of Cheez Powder to customers tweeting about the foods they want to pair this new topping with. Cheez Balls were first discontinued in 2006 and were temporarily brought back in July 2018.

Who makes Kirkland old cheese? ›

The back of Kirkland's parm shows the 24-month aged cheese is “specially selected” by Formaggi Zanetti, an Italian company that exports cheeses around the world.

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Can cheese sit out for 4 hours? ›

And as for how long you can leave it out, soft cheeses can stay out for 2 to 4 hours, while harder cheeses can stay out for up to 8 hours.

Can cheese sit out for 8 hours? ›

In most cases, there would not be a safety issue with consuming a hard cheese that was left out overnight; however, it may impact the quality. Hard cheeses like cheddar and Parmesan have lower moisture content, making them safe to sit out for a longer period—up to 8 hours at room temperature.

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Do cheeseballs go bad? ›

How long do cheese balls last? The answer depends on the expiration date of your ingredients, of course, but generally, cheese balls can last 1 to 2 weeks in the refrigerator.

Is it safe to eat food left out for 4 hours? ›

Bacteria thrive in temperatures between 40 and 140 degrees and can double every 20 minutes in that “danger zone.” Based on that growth, scientists pinpointed two hours to be the maximum amount of time consumers can safely leave perishable food at room temperature.