Cheese Truffles (Mini Cheese Balls) Recipe
Delightful mini Cheese Truffles (Cheese Balls) combining creamy and tangy flavors from cream cheese, goats cheese, Danish feta, and cheddar. These bite-sized appetizers are coated with a savory mix of parmesan, walnuts, dried cranberries, and fresh herbs, making them perfect for entertaining or as a classy snack paired with crackers or toasted bread.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 30 mini cheese balls 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: International
Ingredients
Scale
Cream Cheese Filling
- 8 oz / 250g cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup grated cheese (tasty, cheddar or any other flavorful cheese)
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- Salt to taste
Feta Cheese Filling
- 10 oz / 300g goats cheese
- 10 oz / 300g Danish feta (Note 1)
- 1 cup grated cheese (tasty, cheddar or any other flavorful cheese)
- 1 tbsp sour cream (or approx. 2 tsp milk or water)
- 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh herbs (parsley and dill recommended)
Coating
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, finely shredded or grated
- 1/3 cup walnuts, finely chopped
- 1/3 cup dried cranberries, finely chopped
Instructions
- Cream Cheese Filling: In a bowl, combine softened cream cheese, grated cheese, garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce, and salt. Mix well until thoroughly blended. Adjust salt to your preference.
- Feta Cheese Filling: In a separate bowl, blend goats cheese, Danish feta, grated cheese, sour cream, and fresh chopped herbs. Mix until smooth and evenly combined.
- Forming the Balls: Scoop 1 tablespoon of either filling using a teaspoon to transfer the filling onto a tray or cutting board. Use your hands to gently roll the filling into small balls. Repeat for all the filling. Refrigerate the formed balls for 3 to 4 hours to firm up.
- Prepare Coatings: Place parmesan cheese, chopped walnuts, and chopped dried cranberries into separate small bowls for rolling the cheese balls.
- Coat the Cheese Balls: Roll each chilled cheese ball in the coatings of your choice until evenly covered.
- Refrigerate: Return the coated cheese balls to the fridge until ready to serve, allowing the coatings to set and flavors to meld.
- Bring to Serving Temperature: About 15 minutes before serving, remove the cheese balls from the fridge so they soften slightly and become spreadable.
- Serve: Arrange cheese truffles on a platter and serve with crackers or toasted bread pieces for a perfect appetizer experience.
Notes
- Note 1: Danish feta is saltier and tangier than regular feta, adding a unique flavor dimension.
- You can substitute the fresh herbs with other favorites like chives or basil for different flavor profiles.
- For a nut-free option, omit walnuts and substitute coating with extra parmesan and dried cranberries.
- Make these cheese balls a day ahead to let the flavors develop further.
- Keep refrigerated until about 15 minutes before serving for optimal spreadability.
Keywords: Cheese balls, cheese truffles, appetizer, party snack, no cook cheese appetizer, cream cheese, feta cheese, goats cheese, savory bites
