Cheddar-Pecan Mini Cheese Balls
Sharp cheddar gives these little cheese balls a rich, tangy bite, balanced by a touch of spice and a hint of onion. Rolled in toasted pecans, they have a buttery crunch and a golden finish that makes them as pretty as they are delicious. An easy, make-ahead appetizer everyone loves!
Servings: 24 (1-inch) cheese balls
Calories: 67kcal
Ingredients
Base Mixture
- 8 ounces cream cheese at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce - see Note
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
Cheddar Filling Mix-ins
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher or sea salt
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1-2 pinches cayenne pepper
- 1 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
- 1 tablespoon chopped green onion white, light green, and some of the dark green portions
Pecan Coating
- 1/2 cup toasted finely chopped pecans
Instructions
- Place the base mixture ingredients (cream cheese, Worcestershire sauce, lemon zest) in the bowl of a food processor, along with the salt, pepper, and cayenne. Process until well mixed.
- Add the Cheddar cheese and green onion; process, pulsing, just until combined. There will be some small visible pieces of Cheddar. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
- Using a small, spring-loaded scoop, form the cheese mixture into 1-inch balls and place on a cookie sheet. Cover and refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour.
- Place the chopped pecans in a small bowl. Roll each ball in the pecans to coat (I roll the balls around in my hands to ensure the pecans adhere). Place back on the cookie sheet, cover, and refrigerate.
- Bring to room temperature before serving.
Notes
Worcestershire sauce: Use a gluten-free brand if you want your cheese balls to be gluten-free.
Make ahead: Cheese balls can be prepared up to 2 days in advance, covered, and stored in the refrigerator.
Nutrition
Calories: 67kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 14mg | Sodium: 112mg | Potassium: 28mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 0.5g | Vitamin A: 195IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 44mg | Iron: 0.1mg