Description
Dill pickle cheese balls combine tangy pickles with creamy cheese for an irresistible appetizer. Crispy exterior and zesty center make these bite-sized snacks perfect for parties and gatherings you’ll devour in moments.
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 (adjust to taste)
- 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
- Flavor Development: Whip softened cream cheese and sharp cheddar until creamy, folding in minced dill pickles and pickle juice to amplify the tangy essence, creating a robust flavor foundation.
- Seasoning Fusion: Integrate garlic and onion powder, then precisely season with salt and pepper, ensuring a harmonious balance that elevates the pickle’s sharp undertones.
- Chilling and Shaping: Refrigerate the cheese mixture for 30 minutes to solidify, then utilize a scoop to form consistent spheres, delicately rolling between palms to craft smooth, compact orbs.
- Textural Transformation: Generously coat each cheese ball in a crunchy exterior of fresh dill, crushed pretzels, or finely chopped nuts, adding a delightful textural contrast and visual appeal.
- Elegant Presentation: Artfully arrange the prepared cheese balls on a serving platter, accompanied by an assortment of crisp crackers, raw vegetable sticks, or crunchy pretzel sticks to create an inviting appetizer spread.
Notes
- Chill for Precision: Refrigerate the cheese mixture for at least 30 minutes to help it firm up, making it easier to shape and preventing sticky hands during rolling.
- Balance Pickle Intensity: Adjust pickle juice and diced pickle quantities to control the tanginess, ensuring the flavor doesn’t overpower the creamy cheese base.
- Texture Matters: Experiment with different coatings like crushed pretzels, chopped nuts, or fresh herbs to add crunch and visual appeal while complementing the pickle flavor.
- Room Temperature Tip: Let cream cheese soften naturally at room temperature for smoother blending and easier mixing, avoiding microwave heating that can compromise texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: None
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 21
- Calories: 121
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 236 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg