Description
Creamy dill pickle cheese balls bring zesty flavor to classic appetizer traditions. Crisp exterior and tangy center make these bite-sized snacks perfect for game day or casual gatherings you’ll devour with friends.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese Ingredients:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese, softened
- 1.5 cups (170 grams) shredded cheddar cheese
- 0.5 cup (56 grams) shredded mozzarella or Parmesan cheese
Pickle and Herb Ingredients:
- 0.5 cup (75 grams) dill pickles, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) dill pickle juice
- 1 tablespoon (4 grams) fresh dill, chopped (or 1 teaspoon (2 grams) dried dill)
Seasoning Ingredients:
- 0.5 teaspoon (1.5 grams) garlic powder
- 0.25 teaspoon (0.75 grams) onion powder
- 0.25 teaspoon (0.5 grams) black pepper
Instructions
- Thoroughly blend cream cheese, cheddar, dill pickles, pickle juice, fresh dill, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper in a large mixing bowl until ingredients are uniformly incorporated.
- Using a tablespoon, carefully form the cheese mixture into compact spheres approximately golf ball-sized, ensuring consistent shape and density.
- Gently roll each cheese sphere in shredded mozzarella or Parmesan, completely enveloping the exterior with a crisp, textured coating.
- Transfer the coated cheese orbs onto a clean plate, then refrigerate for 30 minutes at 40°F to solidify and enhance flavor melding.
- Present the chilled dill pickle cheese balls alongside crisp crackers, rustic breadsticks, or fresh vegetable crudités for an irresistible appetizer that offers tangy, creamy indulgence.
Notes
- Customize the cheese blend by experimenting with different sharp or mild cheese varieties to match personal taste preferences.
- Drain pickles thoroughly to prevent excess moisture from making cheese balls too soft or falling apart during chilling.
- Enhance flavor complexity by adding finely chopped fresh herbs like chives or parsley alongside the dill for extra aromatic depth.
- Make them gluten-free by using gluten-free crackers or veggie sticks for serving, ensuring everyone can enjoy these zesty appetizers.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Rolling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 183 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 384 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg