Description
Irresistible dill pickle cheese balls blend creamy textures with tangy zest, creating a crowd-pleasing appetizer that dances between classic comfort and bold flavors. These bite-sized delights will spark conversation and delight guests at any gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Cheese Ingredients:
- 1 cup (100 g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 8 ounces (225 g) cream cheese, softened
Flavor Enhancers and Seasonings:
- ½ cup (75 g) finely chopped dill pickles
- 12 tablespoons pickle juice
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill, finely chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried dill)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Coating Ingredients:
- ½ cup (75 g) chopped dill pickles
- ¼ cup (15 g) chopped fresh dill or parsley
Instructions
- Craft a zesty blend by whisking cream cheese, cheddar, finely diced dill pickles, pickle juice, garlic powder, onion powder, dried dill, and black pepper in a spacious mixing bowl until the texture becomes uniformly smooth and creamy.
- Shield the mixture with plastic wrap and nestle it in the refrigerator for approximately half an hour, allowing the ingredients to solidify and become more manageable for shaping.
- Retrieve the chilled mixture and delicately sculpt uniform spherical portions using gentle hands, aiming for consistent bite-sized cheese orbs.
- Prepare a rustic coating station by combining additional chopped dill pickles with freshly minced dill or parsley in a shallow dish, creating a vibrant garnish.
- Tenderly roll each cheese sphere through the pickle-herb mixture, ensuring a delicate yet complete coverage that adheres seamlessly to the exterior.
- Arrange the coated cheese spheres on a clean serving plate, then return them to the refrigerator for a minimum of one hour, permitting the flavors to harmonize and intensify.
- When ready to serve, present the chilled cheese balls alongside an assortment of crisp crackers, raw vegetable sticks, or crunchy pretzels for a delightful appetizer experience.
Notes
- Enhance the cheese mixture’s tang by using extra-sharp cheddar or adding a splash of hot sauce for a spicy kick.
- Experiment with different pickle varieties like bread-and-butter or garlic pickles to create unique flavor profiles.
- Prepare cheese balls ahead of time and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, making them perfect for make-ahead party appetizers.
- Adapt the recipe for gluten-free diets by using gluten-free crackers or vegetable sticks as serving options.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Snacks, Appetizer
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 80
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg