Description
These Stuffed Cheese Balls are the ultimate cheesy snack! Crispy on the outside with gooey, melted cheese on the inside, they’re perfect for parties, game nights, or any occasion that calls for a delicious, indulgent treat. Serve them with marinara sauce or ranch for dipping and enjoy!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cheese Balls:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1 1/2 cups breadcrumbs (preferably panko for extra crunch)
- 1/4 cup flour (for coating)
- Vegetable oil, for frying
For Stuffing (Optional):
- 1/2 cup cooked bacon, crumbled (or ham, pepperoni, or sausage for variety)
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh herbs (like parsley or chives, optional)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, mozzarella, cheddar, Parmesan, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix well until all cheeses are fully incorporated into the cream cheese.
- If you are stuffing the cheese balls, add in the cooked bacon or other stuffing ingredients and mix until evenly distributed.
- Scoop out a spoonful of the cheese mixture and roll it into a small ball, about 1-1.5 inches in diameter. Repeat until all the mixture is used.
- Roll each cheese ball first in flour, then dip it into the beaten egg, and finally coat it in breadcrumbs.
- In a large skillet or deep fryer, heat vegetable oil over medium heat (about 350°F / 175°C). The oil should be deep enough to submerge the cheese balls.
- Carefully fry the cheese balls in batches, turning occasionally, for about 2-3 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.
- Remove from the oil and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
- Serve hot with marinara sauce, ranch, or your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
- You can make these cheese balls ahead of time and freeze them before frying. Just pop them in the freezer on a tray until solid, then store them in an airtight container or bag. When ready to cook, fry from frozen for a few extra minutes.
- Experiment with different cheeses like gouda, pepper jack, or fontina for varied flavors.
- For a lighter version, bake the cheese balls at 375°F (190°C) for 12-15 minutes instead of frying.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5-7 minutes per batch (frying time)
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cheese ball
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 0.6
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 20mg