I have a theory that everything tastes better in mini form. Which is why I share so many “mini” versions of things. Though my friends will have you believe that I prefer small food because I have such small hands. “Baby Hands”, they call me. I regularly remind them that it’s not size that matters, it’s what you can do with them!!
“I like these mini cheese balls because there’s a higher ratio of coating to cheese than with giant cheese balls. Plus, everything tastes better in mini form!”
As New Years’ Eve approaches and the summer holidays continue, I’m regularly digging into my recipe stash for quick make ahead party food ideas. Cheese balls are a crowd pleaser, and they’re really versatile so you can always pull one together using things you’ve already got in stock. I usually make a giant one. But the thing is, it looks really impressive when you put it out but it gets destroyed really quickly as soon as people start digging into it!!
The other thing with giant cheese balls is that you need to have a decent amount of flavouring mixed through the cheese because the ratio of coating to cheese is quite low so you can’t rely on the coating to provide flavour.
So that’s how I came to try my hand at these mini versions. I love the kaleidoscope of colours you can get by using different coatings for the balls! The coatings I used are just what I had on hand – mixed fresh herbs, parmesan cheese, walnuts and cranberries. I’ve provided a fairly lengthy list of suggestions for other coatings in the recipe below. The possibilities are endless!
I’ve changed up the filling too. You can’t tell from the photos because the filling looks the same, but I made 3 different types – cream cheese, feta and goats cheese – so you could make these using the cheese that you prefer. The feta and goats cheese versions are slightly sharper than the cream cheese one.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!! Here’s to a great year filled with fun, laughter and LOTS of great food!
– Nagi
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Cheese Truffles (Mini Cheese Balls)
Ingredients
Cream Cheese Filling (makes 18)
- 8 oz / 250g cream cheese , softened
- 1 cup grated cheese (tasty, cheddar or any other cheese with flavour)
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp worcestershire sauce
- Salt to taste
Goats Cheese Filling (makes 18)
- 10 oz / 300g goats cheese
Feta Cheese Filling (makes 18)
- 10 oz / 300g Danish feta (Note 1)
- 1 cup grated cheese (tasty, cheddar or any other cheese with flavour)
- 1 tbsp sour cream (or approximately 2 tsp of milk or water)
Coatings - to coat 18 balls in total (Note 2)
- 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh herbs (I used parsley and dill)
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese , finely shredded or grated
- 1/3 cup walnuts , finely chopped
- 1/3 cup dried cranberries , finely chopped
Instructions
- Cream Cheese Filling - place ingredients in a bowl and mix well until combined. Adjust salt to taste.
- Feta Cheese Filling - place ingredients in a bowl and mix well until combined.
- Make the balls - measure out 1 tbsp of filling and use a teaspoon to scoop the filling out of the tablespoon and place onto a tray or cutting board. Once you have scooped out all the filling, use your hands to roll into balls. Refrigerate for 3 to 4 hours.
- Place the Coatings into small bowls.
- Roll the cheese balls in the Coatings.
- Refrigerate the cheese balls until ready to serve.
- Take them out of the fridge around 15 minutes before serving (so they are spreadable).
- Serve with crackers or pieces of toasted bread.
Recipe Notes:
- Any other nuts and dried fruit
- Any fresh herbs
- Dried herbs (coat lightly as dried herbs are stronger in flavour than fresh)
- Paprika, sumac, dukkah and other spices
- Finely chopped cooked bacon
- Sesame seeds (black and/or white)
- Coconut and finely chopped apricots (this goes great with the cream cheese one) 4. Nutrition per truffle.
Nutrition Information:
Love all things mini, but having a tough time chopping the dried cranberries since they’re so sticky. Suggestions?
Hi Nagi
I am a religious follower of your website and can’t wait for your recipe book to be finished so we can return to your emails announcing something new and delightful to cook! Please could you tell me how long in advance I could make these cheese truffles as am wanting to plan ahead for Christmas.
Hi Tammy – I wouldn’t do more than a day ahead as the herbs will go dark and they won’t look very nice. N x
Hi! These look amazing! I would like to prepare these for a get together I am planning. Can I make the balls, roll it in the toppings and then refrigerate for a day or roll the toppings only a little before serving (and not a full day)? Thank you in advance : )
You can definitely make these in advance – they are perfect stored in the fridge 🙂 N x
We made these for our party last night & they were incredibly popular. Especially with my spouse who is cheese ball obsessed. They were absolutely DELICIOUS! Brilliant recipe. I’m going to make these again & again. My eldest daughter helped & it was awesome. Mmmm, I wish I’d quadrupled the recipe instead of doubling it.
WOO HOO!!! So glad you enjoyed it Josie!! <3
how far ahead can you make these?
Hi Sherri! It comes down to the shelf life of the cheese 🙂 N x
I love this idea! I also am a fan of mini food… especially with munchkins running around, tiny servings allow them to serve themselves. 🙂 I think these would make awesome snacks to keep in the fridge even. Yum!
Thanks Donna!! You just can’t go wrong with mini food!!
For the Goats Cheese Balls do you just roll the cheese itself – nothing else with it?
Hi Karen! Yes, I do, because I find that goats cheese plain is so nice as it is, I prefer not to mix anything else through it. 🙂
This is a really great idea! You are quite the clever little chef there, lady. Ginormous cheese balls are always a bit unruly to make, to serve, and to eat, so why not dive into a platter of these little beauties? I am very grateful that there is not a smidgen of blue cheese anywhere here, either. Not a fan. I know a lot of people are, and I wish I was, but I’m not. I could eat the entire platter you have pictured.
You know Meggan….I got VERY close to consuming that entire plate!! It’s always dangerous with anything small…..too easy to pop into your mouth..
OMG, I can’t wait to try these beauties! They are so stinking adorable!
Thanks Shinee!! I think they’re pretty adorable too 🙂
beautiful clicks and what a gorgeous looking truffles @Nagi! I recently made a few big ones with goat cheese and herbs for a party, totally loving idea of making’em small! pinning!
Thank you Savita!
How cute are these! Happy New Year, Nagi. Here’s to an even more delicious 2015!
Thanks Helen! Yup, 2015 is going to be seriously delish!!
I love that you’ve considered the topping to filling ratio! Lol it’s all in the details 😉 These are adorable and they look so festive and pop-able! Happy New Year, Nagi!
Happy new year to you too Allie! And yes, I know YOU understand it’s all in the detail! And I’ve noticed a few of your recipes take into account topping vs cake ratio 🙂 🙂
I’m in love with these mini cheese balls! So creative and great for the NYE ! Very easy to make, too! Pinned!
Thanks Mira! I’m live in love with them too 🙂
Nagi, I’m with you on cheese balls.. I love them!! they are the perfect, quick make ahead party food app. You can’t go wrong with cheese balls and make them mini?!! Freaking fabulous!!! love this so much!!
Thanks Alice! I’m with you – you can’t go wrong with cheese balls. Giant or mini! 🙂
We must both have mini cheese balls on the brain (why does that sound dirty to me?) I totally agree with your theory that everything tastes better in mini form! I particularly love the goat cheese version! My husband would fall on the floor with that one! These are perfect for a New Year’s Eve party, or any party for that matter!
We both have filthy minds because I cracked up as soon as I read your first sentence!! NYE party is just what I had in mind for these 🙂
I LOVE this, Nagi!! I 100% agree with you that so many things are better in their ‘mini’ form. These mini cheese balls are just perfect for New Year’s Eve snacks.
Thanks Marissa! NYE is certainly what I had in mind when I made these! I have a stash of them in the fridge, ready to go!
I love that I wouldn’t have to share these cheese balls 🙂 So fun and festive, great idea Nagi – I especially love the idea of goat cheese balls!
Thanks Anna! I have to say, the goats cheese are my favourite….but goats cheese is so expensive!
I always make a killer antipasto plate for NYE.. this year, I definitely will be adding your mini cheese balls to it Nagi!
So honoured Thalia!! Hope to see some NYE party photos!! 🙂
Yum! Everything is better in mini size!
Glad you agree Sarah! 🙂
Mini bites are my favorite to make and eat! These cheese truffles are so adorable and I love that each person can scoop up their own serving. Don’t touch mine 😉
Ha! That’s how I feel Sandra, that’s why I like to make mini version of things!! 🙂 Hands off!
You are right, everything does taste better in mini form and it looks cuter! These will be great for a NYE party.
I’m with you! Yes, I think these are PERFECT for NYE!!