These Mini Cheese Balls on a stick are one of the easiest make-ahead appetizers ever! These cheese ball bites are a perfectly balanced combination of cream cheese with blue cheese (or other sharp cheese) and sweet cranberries. Perfect for holiday gatherings!
Mini Cheese Balls on a Pretzel Stick!
Here's a quick and easy last-minute appetizer for your next party. I make these little bite-sized cheese balls often, especially at holiday time, and they are always snapped up!
Who can resist tiny bites on a stick? They're quick and easy to make if you use a food processor and you can make them ahead of time before your guests arrive. Pop in the pretzel stick (use gluten-free pretzels if necessary) just before serving.
🛒 Ingredients
These are the ingredients I use regularly when I make these cheese balls. For alternative suggestions, see the section on Possible Variations below.
cream cheese: either regular or low-fat, brick style, not the spreadable type
blue cheese: or other strong-flavoured cheese
dried cranberries
pecans: or walnuts, or bacon crumbles
🥄 Instructions
These Mini Cheese Balls on a Stick are so simple to make! Use a food processor or an electric mixer, if you have one. If not, make sure you start with softened cheese and use a spoon to mix the ingredients. Follow these easy, step-by-step instructions.
- Start by toasting the pecans in the oven, then finely chop them.
- Cut the block of cream cheese into cubes, then process in a food processor until softened.
- Add the dried cranberries, pulse a few times until chopped.
- Add softened blue cheese, and pulse until combined.
- Roll the mixture into little balls about ¾ to 1 inch in diameter.
- Roll in chopped nuts or bacon crumbles and refrigerate for about 2 hours.
- Just before serving, push a pretzel or a fancy toothpick in the center and bam! A fun finger food is ready for party time!
🔁 Possible variations
What other kind of cheese can I use? These cheese balls are one creamy bite, perfectly balanced with the sharpness of blue cheese and the sweetness of cranberries. Use cream cheese as a base, but if you don't care for blue cheese, substitute another strongly-flavored cheese, like aged cheddar or smoked cheese.
Can I use different dried fruits besides cranberries? Try chopped dried apricots or dried cherries. Roll the cheese bites in finely chopped salted pistachios or pumpkin seeds.
What else can I roll these cheese balls in? Try different nuts, like walnuts, almonds, or pistachios. Keep these nut-free by rolling them in bacon bits.
You might also like these Mini Cherry Almond Cheese Balls too. They're made with dried cherries instead of cranberries and rolled in finely chopped almonds. And if you can't eat regular dairy cheese, you might like these Mini Goat Cheese Balls instead.
Whichever flavor combination you choose, these mini cheese ball bites are guaranteed to disappear from your appetizer platter quickly!
⏰A make-ahead appetizer
Cheese balls are a great make-ahead appetizer. Combine the ingredients, roll them into balls, and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. These will stay fresh for 2 to 3 days. Insert the pretzel stick just before serving.
🥶 Freezing Instructions
Make and freeze, or freeze leftovers if you find you've made too many. Wrap the balls in plastic wrap, then overwrap in foil, or store in a tightly covered container in the freezer.
🍽 Serving suggestions
Add these to a grazing board or an antipasto platter. Serve them with a variety of fruit as a cheese and fruit platter, or just enjoy them on their own.
I often serve these along with Bacon-Wrapped Stuffed Dates or Air Fryer Bacon-Wrapped Dates.
WATCH THIS VIDEO to see just how quickly you can make these fun mini cheese balls on a pretzel stick!
This recipe was originally published in 2014. It has been updated with more information and new photos.
🗒 More finger food recipes
📖 Recipe
Mini Cheese Balls on a Stick
Ingredients
- 1 8 oz. pkg light cream cheese
- 6 oz crumbled blue cheese (¾ cup, or other strong cheese--grated smoked cheddar is also good)*
- ¾ cup dried cranberries
- 1 cup pecans, finely chopped
- 12 - 24 pretzel sticks, gluten-free pretzel sticks, if necessary
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spread the pecans out on a baking sheet and toast for 7-10 minutes, just until fragrant, watching carefully. Allow to cool, then chop finely in a food processor or by hand. Remove and set aside. Clean food processor.
- Cut the cream cheese into cubes and add to the food processor bowl. Process until smooth, scraping the sides with a spatula.
- Add the cranberries and pulse just until the cranberries are slightly chopped. Add the blue cheese and pulse until just combined. If you process it too long the cheese mixture will take on an unappetizing blue tinge.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Dampen your fingers and roll balls of the cheese mixture about ¾ to 1 inch in diameter. They should be small enough for a single bite. Roll in the chopped pecans and place on the parchment paper. Chill in the refrigerator for about 2 hours.
- Just before serving, insert a pretzel stick in the middle of each ball. If you insert it too early, it will turn soggy.
Hazel
Using goat cheese is the way to ensure they are good for those who are lactose intolerant- and everyone else! Plan to make these soon. Also, completely different, what breed is your puppy Maggie? We have an 8 1/2 month old Havanese named Lucy, who looks a little like Maggie.
Elaine
Thanks Hazel! Maggie is a Havanese, 14 months old. So much fun and such a lovely breed!
Dee
This is one of my go-to recipes every time there's a party or special occasion. Everyone loves these and they're so cute---and easy! Just thought I should let you know. Thanks!
Shelley
I want to make these for a party which is about 30 minutes away from my home. Will they be good if I chill them completely at home and then serve them at room temperature after driving to the party?
Flavour & Savour
Hi Shelley,
Yes, they should be fine! I would suggest putting the pretzel sticks in once you arrive. Happy holidays!
Mary Hellman
I am thinking about making the mini cheese balls for wedding reception. If I make them 2 to 3 days ahead and roll them in pecans, will the pecans get soggy tasting?
Flavour & Savour
Hi Mary. These are a great idea for a wedding reception. 3 days might be a bit too far ahead. You could, however, make the balls ahead of time, refrigerate them and then roll them in the pecans the day before. Just remember to put the pretzel in closer to serving time because it WILL get soggy.
crissi
Made these yesterday for Thanksgiving. I didn't use a 2nd cheese, just the cream cheese & regular raisins. I added 1/4 tsp of vanilla and rolled them in crushed pretzels as I was making another thing with nuts. Anyway, they were very popular. A nice bite, with the pretzel stick for additional crunch. I know I will keep this recipe handy and 'play' with it at times. Thanks for posting on Pinterest.
Flavour & Savour
Hi Crissi,
I love the idea of rolling them in crushed pretzels! Brilliant. Agreed--this is a recipe you can play with and substitute your favourite cheeses and add-ins. Thanks for sharing your ideas for us all!
Lizzie
Over-the-top adorable! Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
Flavour & Savour
Thanks Lizzie! Happy Thanksgiving to you, too!
Daniel
Can these cheeseballs be made ahead and frozen and then defrosted 3-4 days later??
Do you think I could also stuff a grape in them as well? I am having a mardi gras cocktail party and I need to make most stuff ahead of time! Any advice would be appreciated!
Flavour & Savour
Yes they can be made ahead, but I wouldn't bother freezing them. Just keep them tightly wrapped and refrigerated. I've never tried them with a grape but it sounds good. Sorry for the delay in responding. Ive been out of wifi range for awhile!
Cat
How far in advance can you mix the cheese balls beyond the 2 hours?
Flavour & Savour
Hi Cat,
You could make them a day or two in advance. They keep well in the refrigerator.
Lori
I'm making them for my daughter's baby gender reveal party. It's great because you have the "blue" cheese and the "pink" cranberries
Flavour & Savour
What a fun idea! Thanks so much for sharing it.
Emily
Love these! I am making them for a Masquerade Party tomorrow night for New Years Eve and was wondering if they can be made ahead of time? I would love to be able to make them today and just insert the pretzels tomorrow night before the party!
Flavour & Savour
Absolutely! Just keep them refrigerated and, as you said, insert the pretzels just before the party. Happy New Year!
Flavour & Savour
Oh Yum! I love smoked cheese. What a great idea! So glad you liked these. Aren't they fun to serve?
Kerry
I made these for Thanksgiving yesterday. I followed the recipe, only subbing the blue cheese for smoked cheddar & smoked gouda. It was so good! I loved the creamy texture, and the way the flavors perfectly blended together. I'd always wanted to try making a cheese ball, and these little guys made the process so easy for a first-timer. I'll definitely be making these again. Thank you!
Jackie
We are addicted now. They are so rich and creamy that I am making the balls in the smaller size. THANK YOU!!
Flavour & Savour
Great idea. I like experimenting and using different cheese and nut combinations. Making tiny ones is a smart adaptation!
Holly E.
I found this on Pinterest & decided to make these for a baby shower. Well, in a time crunch at the grocery store (Kroger, to be exact) I found Private Selection Cranberries & Cinnamon Crumbled Goat Cheese (prepackaged & ready to go!) & decided to use it instead. They turned out great & got lots of compliments, especially about how cute they were on the pretzel sticks! I thought they tasted great, too - the cinnamon paired nicely with the tart goat cheese. Thank you for the recipe, it's definitely going in my appetizer rotation!
Flavour & Savour
Perfect! That was clever of you to use a shortcut. Great idea--thanks for sharing it with the rest of us.
Erin | The Law Student's Wife
Just when I thought cheeseballs couldn't get any better, you went and put them on the stick! *applause*
Flavour & Savour
What we'll do for that cuteness factor! Love your Sweet Potato Sausage Skewers --on a stick!