Description
Savory dill pickle cheese balls bring creamy, tangy goodness to party appetizers. Cheese and pickle lovers will delight in these irresistible bites that promise flavor and fun.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup (100 g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ½ cup (75 g) finely chopped dill pickles
- ½ cup (75 g) chopped dill pickles
- 12 tbsps pickle juice
- ¼ cup (15 g) chopped fresh dill or parsley
- 1 tbsp fresh dill, finely chopped (or 1 tsp dried dill)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Preparation: Thoroughly blend cream cheese, cheddar, dill pickles, pickle juice, garlic powder, onion powder, dried dill, and black pepper in a large mixing bowl until achieving a smooth, homogeneous consistency.
- Chilling and Firming: Cover the mixture with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes to enhance moldability and allow flavors to meld together.
- Forming and Coating: Gently shape the chilled mixture into uniform bite-sized spheres, then roll each cheese ball in a prepared mixture of finely chopped dill pickles and freshly minced dill or parsley, ensuring complete and even coverage.
- Final Refinement: Return the coated cheese balls to the refrigerator for at least one hour to further develop and intensify the flavor profile.
- Serving: Present the chilled cheese balls alongside an array of complementary accompaniments such as crackers, vegetable sticks, or pretzels, creating an inviting and flavorful appetizer spread.
Notes
- Chill Thoroughly: Refrigerate the mixture for at least 30 minutes to help the cheese balls maintain their shape and develop a firmer texture, preventing crumbling during coating.
- Pickle Precision: Finely dice pickles to ensure even distribution and prevent large chunks that might disrupt the smooth cheese ball consistency.
- Coating Technique: Gently roll cheese balls in the pickle-herb mixture, using light pressure to help the coating adhere without breaking the delicate cheese sphere.
- Dietary Modifications: Swap full-fat cream cheese for low-fat versions or use dairy-free alternatives to accommodate different dietary needs while maintaining the recipe’s zesty flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Snacks, Appetizer
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 23
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg