Description

This creamy, tangy party cheese ball is studded with crunchy pecans and fresh herbs, making it an elegant yet easy appetizer for holidays and gatherings. Serve it with assorted crackers and crudité for a crowd-pleasing snack everyone will love.

Ingredients

Scale

16 oz cream cheese, softened (full-fat for best texture)
2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated
1/2 cup finely chopped pecans
1/4 cup diced green onions or fresh chives
2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp cracked black pepper
Dash of cayenne pepper (optional)
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (for rolling)
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional, for rolling)
Assorted crackers (for serving)
Crudité (carrot sticks, celery, bell pepper strips, for serving)

Instructions

Remove cream cheese from the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for 30–45 minutes until softened.
Grate the cheddar cheese. Finely chop pecans, green onions or chives, and parsley. Set aside.
In a medium mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese and grated cheddar. Add Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, pepper, cayenne (if using), and salt. Beat with a hand mixer or stir with a sturdy spoon until creamy and well-blended.
Fold in chopped pecans and green onions/chives using a spatula. Mix just until evenly distributed.
Lay out a sheet of plastic wrap. Scrape the cheese mixture onto the center, then use the wrap to help mold it into a ball. Wrap snugly and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, up to overnight.
Mix chopped pecans and parsley on a plate. Unwrap the chilled cheese ball, then roll it gently in the nut-parsley mixture until fully coated. Press lightly to help the coating stick.
Refrigerate the coated cheese ball for another 30 minutes for best texture.
Place the cheese ball on a serving platter. Surround with assorted crackers and crudité. Sprinkle extra parsley on top if desired.

Notes

For best flavor, chill the cheese ball overnight. Toast pecans briefly for extra crunch, but let them cool before adding. Use block cheese and grate yourself for creamier texture. For gluten-free, serve with gluten-free crackers and check Worcestershire sauce ingredients. Cheese ball can be made up to 3 days ahead and leftovers keep for 5 days refrigerated.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Appetizer
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 ounce (28 g) chees
Calories: 90
Sugar: 1
Sodium: 120
Fat: 8
Saturated Fat: 4
Carbohydrates: 2
Protein: 4

Keywords: cheese ball, holiday appetizer, party food, crackers, easy appetizer, make ahead, vegetarian, gluten-free option, nuts, cream cheese, cheddar