Mini Cheese Ball Bites

💗Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Party Food: Mini cheese ball bites are the ultimate party food. They are small, bite-sized, and packed with flavor. Plus, they’re a super easy party appetizer to make! You only need a few ingredients and some crackers or pretzel sticks for serving. These little cheese balls are always a hit at any gathering when served.

Gameday Appetizer: Loaded Mini Cheese Ball Bites are a game-day essential. They offer convenience and flavor in a bite-sized snack. They are easy to eat and keep everyone satisfied.

🛒Ingredients Needed

5 ingredient mini cheese balls are quick, easy, and always a crowd-pleaser. Cream Cheese Balls are guaranteed to be a hit!

Real Bacon Bits- I use real bacon bits in the bag for convenience. You can use bacon crumbles or even cook and crumble your bacon. You’ll need small pieces for mixing and for the exterior of each ball. Mini bacon cheese ball bites are delish.

Dried Cranberries- Dried cranberries or Craisins are recommended. They are sweet and balance the flavors nicely. Fresh cranberries would not work well.

Cream Cheese- I suggest using your favorite brand of full-fat cream cheese. This is the base for these balls. Make sure to use softened cream cheese for easy mixing.

Jalapenos- Fresh jalapenos add a nice flavor to each cream cheese bite. They are not overpowering or spicy. Make sure to deseed and dice small, just as in this Jalapeno Popper Dip with Fresh Jalapenos.

Green onions- Add a beautiful color and compliment the flavor nicely. Chop the onions small.

🥣How To Make This Recipe

Here’s how to make these mini cheese balls in a few simple steps. Please see the printable recipe card below for a complete list of ingredients and instructions.

Step 1: To a medium bowl: Add a bag (4.5 oz.) of bacon bits and set it aside. To a small bowl(s): Add another (4.5 oz.) bag of bacon bits and set it aside. Optional: To another small bowl, add a cup of dried cranberries. Set aside.

Step 2: Add softened cream cheese,  diced jalapenos, and chopped green onions to the medium bowl with the bacon bits. Mix everything well. I mixed it with a spoon. No mixer is needed. The cream cheese mixture will be soft and creamy.

Step 3: Using a small cookie scoop, scoop the cheese mixture into balls.

Step 4: Roll each ball into the bacon bits or dried cranberries. I rolled half of the recipe in bacon bits and the other half in dried cranberries. Note: If you want to use only bacon bits, you’ll need an additional bag to coat all the cheese balls.

Step 4 continued: Roll each ball into the bacon bits or dried cranberries.

Step 5: Place the cheese balls on a plate, platter, or parchment paper-lined baking sheet and refrigerate until ready to serve. Serve them immediately with crackers, bagel chips, or baguettes. Notes: Before serving, add pretzel sticks or picks to the top of each cheeseball for easy serving. Remove from the fridge at least 30 minutes before serving. Makes about 35 balls.

💭Recipe Tips

• I use a small cookie scoop (about one tablespoon) to make the perfect bite-sized mini cheeseballs.
• Make sure you begin with softened cream cheese. Just as I did in these 4-ingredient sausage balls.
• Store cheese balls in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve.
• Chop your green onions and jalapenos finely.