Everything Bagel Cheese Ball Bites with Crispy Bacon: The Ultimate Make-Ahead Party Appetizer
These Everything Bagel Cheese Ball Bites are the ultimate bite-sized appetizers, perfect for nearly any gathering. Whether you’re hosting a festive holiday party, a casual game day, a heartwarming baby shower, or a fun girls’ night in, these mini cheese balls are guaranteed to be a hit. They offer a delightful blend of creamy, savory, and crunchy textures, making them incredibly versatile and utterly irresistible. Serve them with your favorite crackers, crunchy bagel chips, or classic pretzel sticks for an appetizer that always impresses.
If you’re searching for an appetizer that’s both easy to prepare and incredibly delicious, look no further. This recipe for Everything Bagel Cheese Ball Bites with Bacon truly stands out. I am a huge fan of bite-sized, versatile appetizers, and these perfectly fit the bill. Their compact size makes them ideal for mingling and allows guests to easily grab a savory treat without much fuss. They are brimming with rich, creamy cheese, savory bacon, and fresh green onions, all generously coated in a crunchy, flavorful Everything But the Bagel Seasoning blend. This combination creates an explosion of taste and texture in every single bite.
One of the best aspects of these mini cheese balls is that they can be prepared well in advance. This means less stress on the day of your event, allowing you more time to enjoy with your guests. Simply assemble them, chill them in the fridge, and they’ll be ready to serve when you are. This easy appetizer recipe is suitable for any time of day, from a casual brunch spread to an elegant evening soiree. I am confident that you and your loved ones will adore this delightful and simple mini appetizer.
Why You’ll Love These Everything Bagel Cheese Ball Bites
- Effortlessly Delicious: These cheese balls are packed with flavor from cream cheese, cheddar, goat cheese, crispy bacon, and fresh scallions, all harmoniously blended.
- Perfectly Bite-Sized: Their small size makes them ideal for easy serving and snacking at any party, eliminating the need for plates or cutlery.
- Incredibly Versatile: Whether it’s a casual family get-together, a lively game day party, an elegant holiday feast, a chic baby shower, or a laid-back girls’ night, these bites are always appropriate.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Prepare them up to 24 hours in advance, allowing you to focus on other party preparations or simply relax before your event.
- Customizable: Easily adapt the type of cheese, add different herbs, or even omit the bacon for a vegetarian option.
- Texture Powerhouse: The creamy interior perfectly contrasts with the crunchy, savory Everything But the Bagel seasoning coating.
Essential Kitchen Tools
Gathering the right tools before you start will make the preparation process smooth and enjoyable. Here’s what you’ll need for these delightful cheese ball bites:
- A Large Mixing Bowl: Any large bowl will work perfectly for combining and thoroughly mixing all the cheese ball ingredients. Look for one that gives you ample space to mash and stir comfortably.
- A Small Bowl: This will be dedicated to holding the Everything But the Bagel Seasoning, making it easy to roll and coat each mini cheese ball evenly.
- A Cookie Scoop (Small or Medium): While not strictly required, a cookie scoop is incredibly helpful for creating uniformly sized cheese balls. This ensures consistent cooking (if applicable) and a more professional presentation. It also speeds up the portioning process significantly.
- A Cookie Sheet or Large Plate: You’ll need this to arrange the mini cheese balls in a single layer while they chill in the refrigerator. Ensure it’s large enough to accommodate all the bites without crowding, allowing them to firm up properly. Lining it with parchment paper is also a great idea to prevent sticking.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons: Essential for accurate ingredient measurements, ensuring the perfect balance of flavors and textures in your cheese ball mixture.
- A Small Skillet: This is ideal for frying the bacon until it’s perfectly crispy. Alternatively, if you prefer a less hands-on approach or are cooking a larger batch, baking the bacon in the oven is another excellent option.
- A Paring Knife and Cutting Board: Necessary for finely chopping the green onions, which add a fresh, zesty bite to the cheese balls.
Key Ingredients for Flavorful Bites
The magic of these Everything Bagel Cheese Ball Bites comes from a carefully selected blend of creamy cheeses, savory bacon, and aromatic seasonings. Here’s a breakdown of the ingredients and why they work:
- Cream Cheese: The base of our cheese balls, providing a smooth, rich, and tangy foundation. Make sure it’s softened at room temperature for easy mixing.
- Plain Non-Fat Greek Yogurt: This adds a lovely tang and helps to lighten the texture slightly, making the cheese balls incredibly creamy without being overly heavy. You can also use sour cream for a similar effect.
- Plain Goat Cheese: Introduces a subtle, earthy tang and a wonderfully soft, spreadable texture that elevates the overall flavor profile. Be sure to choose a plain variety, free from any added flavors or oils.
- Shredded Cheese: I prefer using shredded mild cheddar cheese for its classic flavor and excellent blendability. However, feel free to experiment with other varieties like Colby Jack or sharp cheddar cheese to customize the taste to your liking.
- Everything But The Bagel Seasoning: This is the star ingredient for the coating, providing that iconic savory, garlicky, oniony, and seedy crunch. If you don’t have a store-bought version, don’t worry – you can easily make your own (instructions provided below!).
- Cooked Bacon: Crispy, crumbled bacon adds a fantastic smoky, salty crunch that perfectly complements the creamy cheese. This step can be done ahead of time to significantly reduce your prep work on the day of assembly. Whether you prefer to cook your bacon on the stovetop or utilize an air fryer for quick, perfect results, make sure it’s finely crumbled.
- Chopped Green Onions (Scallions): These provide a fresh, mild onion flavor and a pop of vibrant color, cutting through the richness of the cheeses and bacon.
How to Craft These Delicious Mini Cheese Balls
Get ready to discover one of the most delightful and straightforward appetizers you’ll ever create! These Everything Bagel Cheese Ball Bites are incredibly easy to make, making them ideal for practically any event. Their versatility extends to both brunch and evening gatherings, offering a huge bonus for your entertaining needs. Just follow these simple steps:
- Prepare the Bacon: Begin by cooking your bacon until it’s wonderfully crispy. You can do this in a skillet over medium heat or bake it in the oven. Once cooled, crumble it into small, uniform pieces. For ultimate convenience, this step can be completed several days in advance and the cooked bacon stored in the fridge, saving you valuable prep time on party day.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, plain non-fat Greek yogurt (or sour cream), plain goat cheese, and shredded cheddar cheese. Use a sturdy spoon or spatula to mash and stir these ingredients until they are well combined and smooth.
- Add Flavorful Mix-ins: Finely chop your green onions and add them to the large bowl along with the crumbled, cooked bacon. Continue to mash and stir until all the ingredients are thoroughly incorporated, ensuring an even distribution of flavor in every bite.
- Prepare the Seasoning: In a separate, small bowl, pour out your Everything But the Bagel Seasoning. This will be your coating station, ready for the cheese balls.
- Scoop and Roll: Now for the fun part! Using a small cookie scoop (or simply eyeballing for size), scoop out a portion of the cheese ball mixture. Roll it between your palms to form a compact, uniform ball. Don’t be shy – your hands will get a little messy, but it’s all part of the process!
- Coat Generously: Once a ball is formed, drop it into the small bowl of Everything But the Bagel Seasoning. Gently roll the cheese ball until it is completely and evenly coated on all sides. The seasoning will adhere beautifully to the creamy exterior.
- Chill to Perfection: Place each coated cheese ball onto a parchment paper-lined cookie sheet or a large plate, ensuring they are in a single layer. Repeat steps 5 and 6 until all the cheese mixture has been used. Once finished, cover the sheet or plate with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of 1 hour to allow the cheese balls to firm up. For optimal results and make-ahead convenience, you can chill them for up to 24 hours.
- Serve and Enjoy: When you’re ready to serve, simply place each firm cheese ball bite on a cracker or bagel chip. For an extra touch of elegance and ease of handling, you can also stick a pretzel stick into each one, transforming them into perfect little “lollipops.”
Check out the Mini Cheese Balls with Bacon recipe video for a more detailed look at preparation for this appetizer recipe!
Craft Your Own DIY Everything Bagel Seasoning
For these flavorful cheese ball bites, I often reach for Everything But the Bagel Seasoning, readily available from stores like Trader Joe’s. Its convenience is undeniable, saving an extra step in the recipe. However, I’ve found myself without it one too many times and have since perfected my own homemade version. The good news is that the spices required are quite basic and can usually be found at any local grocery store. Creating your own blend not only ensures you always have it on hand but also allows you to adjust the ratios to your personal preference for a fresher, more customized flavor. The individual spices you will need to create your own Everything But the Bagel Seasoning are:
- Sesame Seeds (white)
- Sea Salt Flakes (coarse)
- Black Sesame Seeds
- Poppy Seeds
- Dried Minced Garlic
- Dried Minced Onion
To create the seasoning, simply use equal parts of each individual spice. For this mini cheese balls recipe, I recommend starting with 1 ½ tablespoons of each spice. Combine all of them in a small bowl and mix thoroughly to ensure an even distribution. This measurement will yield approximately ½ cup of the seasoning blend, which should be ample to generously coat all of your mini cheese balls, giving them that signature “everything bagel” crunch and flavor.
More Delicious Appetizer Ideas
Ritz Bites Recipe
Mini Caprese Avocado Toast
Prosciutto Wrapped Breadsticks with Gouda Dip
Homemade Soft Pretzels with Cheese Sauce
Crockpot Chili Cheese Dip
Crispy Fried Green Tomatoes
Transforming into a Large Everything Bagel Cheese Ball
If you prefer to make a single, larger Everything Bagel Cheese Ball that serves as a stunning centerpiece for your appetizer spread, the process is just as simple. You will follow all the initial recipe preparation and ingredient combining instructions up until the point of scooping individual cheese balls.
- Prepare for Shaping: Once you have thoroughly combined all the cheese mixture ingredients, lay out a large piece of cling wrap (plastic film) flat on your counter. To prevent any sticking, a light spray of cooking spray on the cling wrap can be very helpful.
- Shape the Ball: Transfer the entire cheese mixture onto the prepared cling wrap. Then, carefully gather the cling wrap around the cheese mixture, ensuring none of it can escape. Begin to gently manipulate and roll the wrapped cheese mixture into your desired ball shape. Aim for a smooth, rounded form.
- Chill Thoroughly: Once shaped, place the wrapped large cheese ball in the refrigerator to chill. It needs at least one hour to firm up properly, but for best results and maximum make-ahead convenience, chilling it overnight is highly recommended. This allows all the flavors to meld beautifully and ensures a firm, easy-to-slice ball.
- Coat and Serve: Just before you are ready to serve your impressive cheese ball, unwrap it and roll the entire ball generously in the Everything But the Bagel Seasoning. Ensure it is completely coated for that signature flavor and texture. Serve your grand cheese ball with an array of crackers, pretzel crisps, or bagel chips for easy dipping.
Common Questions & Expert Tips
Storing leftover mini cheese balls is incredibly simple and crucial for maintaining their freshness and shape. After your event, place them in an airtight container, ensuring they are arranged in a single layer if possible. This prevents them from getting squashed or losing their delicate shape. Store them in the fridge for up to 4 days. When you’re ready to enjoy them again, simply place each cheese bite on a fresh cracker, bagel chip, or stick a pretzel rod in for easy handling. If they were slightly smashed during storage, gently reshape them with clean hands before serving.
Absolutely! These Everything Bagel Cheese Ball Bites are one of the best make-ahead appetizers. To prepare them in advance, follow all the recipe instructions for mixing, scooping, and coating. Once coated, arrange the cheese balls in a single layer on a cookie sheet or large plate, cover them tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate. They can be stored this way for at least 1 hour to overnight, and ideally up to 24 hours before your event. This allows the flavors to deepen and the cheese balls to firm up perfectly. When it’s time to serve, simply transfer them to your serving platter, pair each with a cracker or pretzel, and enjoy the ease of entertaining!
Yes, you can! To freeze, prepare the cheese balls up to the point of coating them with the Everything Bagel seasoning. Place the uncoated cheese balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze until solid (about 2-3 hours). Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe airtight container or zip-top bag. They can be frozen for up to 1 month. When ready to serve, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight, then roll in the seasoning and chill for at least 30 minutes before serving. This is a fantastic way to prepare for multiple events!
If you find the mixture overly sticky, a few simple tricks can help. Ensure your cream cheese and goat cheese were not too warm when you started mixing. If it’s still too soft, try chilling the mixture in the bowl for 15-20 minutes before attempting to scoop and roll. You can also lightly grease your hands with a tiny bit of cooking spray or dampen them with water while rolling. A cookie scoop also helps minimize direct contact, making the process cleaner.
I truly hope you and your family fall in love with these Mini Cheese Balls with Bacon! This recipe is incredibly simple, wonderfully versatile, and creates the most adorable bite-sized appetizers, perfect for any occasion, especially during the festive holiday season. They embody comfort, flavor, and effortless entertaining.
Happy Eating!
Everything Bagel Cheese Ball Bites with Bacon
Caitlyn Erhardt
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Ingredients
- 8 Oz Cream Cheese
- ½ Cup Plain Non-Fat Greek Yogurt
- ¾ Cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese
- ¼ Cup Plain Goat Cheese
- 2 Green Onion Finely Chopped
- 6 Slices Bacon Cooked, crumbled
- ½ Cup Everything But the Bagel Seasoning
For Serving
- Crackers
- Bagel Chips
- Pretzel Sticks
Instructions
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In a medium-sized skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until it reaches your desired crispiness. Once cooked, transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease. Once cool enough to handle, crumble the bacon into small pieces. To save time, this step can be done up to a few days ahead and the crumbled bacon stored in the fridge.
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Pour the Everything But the Bagel Seasoning (or your DIY version, see notes below) into a small bowl and set it aside. This will be used for coating the cheese balls.
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In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, plain non-fat Greek yogurt, shredded cheddar cheese, plain goat cheese, finely chopped green onion, and the crumbled cooked bacon. Using a sturdy spoon or a potato masher, mash and stir all ingredients together until they are thoroughly combined and the mixture is smooth and consistent.
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Once the mixture is well combined, use a small cookie scoop to portion out a small amount of the cheese ball mix. Roll it between your palms to form a smooth, compact ball. Immediately drop the formed ball into the small bowl of Everything But the Bagel Seasoning and roll it until it is completely and evenly covered. Place the coated cheese ball onto a parchment paper-lined cookie sheet or a large plate. Repeat this process until all of the cheese mixture has been used.
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Once all the mini cheese balls are coated, cover the cookie sheet or plate with plastic wrap and place them in the fridge to chill. Allow them to chill for a minimum of 1 hour, or ideally overnight, to firm up. When you are ready to serve, arrange them on a platter and pair each with crackers, bagel chips, or pretzel sticks for easy enjoyment.
For a more visual guide to preparation, be sure to check out the recipe video!
Notes
- Leftover Storage: To keep your mini cheese balls fresh, store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. For best results and to prevent them from sticking together or getting squashed, try to store them in a single layer. When you’re ready to serve them again, simply place them on a cracker, bagel chip, or serve them with pretzels.
- DIY Everything But the Bagel Seasoning: If you don’t have store-bought Everything But The Bagel Seasoning on hand, it’s incredibly easy to make your own. In a small bowl, combine 1 ½ tablespoons each of white sesame seeds, black sesame seeds, flakey sea salt, dried minced garlic, dried minced onion, and poppy seeds. Stir thoroughly until all ingredients are well mixed. This will yield approximately ½ cup of seasoning, which is enough to coat all the mini cheese balls in this recipe.
- Make it Vegetarian: To make this appetizer vegetarian, simply omit the bacon. The combination of cheeses, green onions, and Everything Bagel seasoning is delicious on its own!
Nutritional Information provided is for the mini cheese balls themselves, and does not include any suggested serving options like crackers or pretzels.
Nutrition
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