Creamy and crunchy, this yummy Pecan Cheese Ball is the perfect appetizer for a holiday get-together, game day party, family gathering or just a random Sunday.

Pecan Cheese Ball sitting on a wooden cutting board with Ritz Crackers.

Are Cheese Balls technically vintage now?  They definitely had their heyday in the 70’s and are not as popular now as they once were.  But here is our hot take … they are the perfect party food.  They are easy to make.  You can make them way ahead.  Everybody loves them.  You can serve them with anything as a dipping device.  You can cover them with a myriad of yummy toppings.  Have we convinced you yet?  This recipe is our take on a Pecan Cheese Ball and with it we are leading the charge to revive this crowd-pleasing party appetizer. 

Ingredients You will Need

Showing all the ingredients needed to make Cheese Balls including Cream Cheese, Shredded Cheese, Pecans and Dried Cranberries.

How to Make a Cheese Ball

Collage image showing the steps for making a cheese ball.

Step 1: Add cream cheese and sour cream in a mixing bowl and beat until smooth.  Add in grated cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, and pepper.  Stir together until completely mixed. 

Step 2: Layout a large piece of plastic wrap on the counter.  Spoon cheese mixture onto plastic wrap forming a ball (as best you can). 

Step 3: Bring up sides of plastic wrap to form a ball shape.  Make sure the cheese is completely covered.  Use your hands to shape the mixture into a ball.  Put in the refrigerator and chill cheese ball for at least two hours.

Step 4: Take Cheese Ball out of the refrigerator and remove the plastic wrap.  Place the cheese ball on a plate and cover it with your toppings.  Use a spoon or your fingers to press the topping onto the cheese ball.   You can try rolling the cheese ball in the chopped pecans, but it is sometimes hard to roll it and you don’t want the cheese ball to lose its shape.  Store in the refrigerator until it is time to serve.

Topping Options

Collage image showing the different toppings for Cheese Balls including Pecans and Cranberries and Pecans.

The traditional covering for a cheese ball are pecans but to make the cheese ball a little more festive, try a combination of Pecans and Dried Cranberries! So yummy and festive.

Expert Tips and FAQs

Can you freeze a cheese ball?

Yes. You should freeze it before you put the pecans on it.  Wrap it in plastic wrap and then put it into a freezer bag.  It can be frozen for up to a month.  Defrost in the refrigerator, then add the chopped pecans before serving.

How long will it last in the refrigerator?

That depends on your ingredients.  The cheese ball will last for as long as your ingredients are good.

Can you save leftovers?

Yes. Unless the cheeseball sat out for a long time at room temperature.

Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball with the cheese mixture showing sitting in front of a stack of crackers.

Other Party Foods You Will Love

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Pecan Cheese Ball

Yield 12 servings
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes

Creamy and crunchy, this yummy Pecan Cheese Ball is the perfect appetizer for a holiday get-together, gameday party, family gathering, or just a random Sunday.

Ingredients

Cheese Ball

  • 1 8 oz. package of Cream Cheese
  • 1/4 cup Sour Cream
  • 1 cup Shredded Cheese of your choice
  • 1/4 teaspoon Onion Powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon Garlic Powder
  • Pepper (to taste)

Toppings (choose one option)

  • 1/2 cup Pecans (chopped)
  • 1/4 cup Pecans (chopped) or 1/4 cup Dried Cranberries (chopped)

Instructions

  1. Add cream cheese and sour cream in a mixing bowl and beat until smooth.
  2. Add in grated cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, and pepper.  Stir together until completely mixed.
  3. Layout a large piece of plastic wrap on the counter.  Spoon cheese mixture onto plastic wrap forming a ball (as best you can).  Bring up sides of plastic wrap to form a ball shape.  Make sure the cheese is completely covered.  Use your hands to shape the mixture into a ball.  Put in the refrigerator and chill cheese ball for at least two hours.
  4. Take Cheese Ball out of the refrigerator and remove the plastic wrap.  Place the cheese ball on a plate and cover it with chopped pecans or a combination pecans and dried cranberries.  Use a spoon or your fingers to press the pecans onto the cheese ball.   You can try rolling the cheese ball in the chopped pecans, but it is sometimes hard to roll it and you don't want the cheese ball to lose its shape.
  5. Store in the refrigerator until it is time to serve.

Notes

Ingredient Notes

  • Cheese:  You can use any hard cheese you would like for the cheese mixture.  We usually use Cheddar Cheese.
  • Toppings: The traditional covering for a cheese ball are pecans.  You can also use Walnuts or Pecans.  To make the cheese ball a little more festive, try a combination of Pecans and Dried Cranberries!
 

Did you Make this Recipe? Leave a review below, then snap a picture and tag @twosisterscrafting on Instagram so we can see it!