Everything Bagel Cheese Ball is an easy appetizer that’s always a huge hit at parties! It’s great for making ahead of time with a few simple ingredients. The cheese ball itself is made with cream cheese, sour cream, cheddar and parmesan, and it’s all coated in crunchy homemade everything bagel seasoning!
Entertaining is so much fun with recipes like Ranch Cheddar Cheese Ball and Mini Cheese Balls Trio.
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Have you tried everything bagel seasoning yet? Oh, you must try it as soon as possible. I’m not just talking about everything bagels, I’m talking about the seasoning itself. You can use it on sandwiches, rolls, pinwheels, chicken, hummus, dips, and so many other foods. This simple combination of garlic, onion, sesame seeds, poppy seeds, and salt is not just for bagels anymore.
Cheese ball is that classic appetizer that I make for almost every holiday. It’s so easy and always popular at parties. I’ve tried many different flavors and incorporated different seasonal ingredients, but this one is now our favorite. Cream cheese and everything bagel seasoning make a perfect pair, after all.
You can serve this cheese ball with so many options. Try it with pretzels, crackers, bagel chips, chips, celery, cucumbers, carrot sticks, and many other vegetables. If you have any cheese ball leftover, spread it on your toast or bagel in the morning. It makes an amazing spread for sandwiches as well!
What is everything bagel seasoning?
Everything bagel seasoning is pretty widely available in many grocery stores, but it’s so also easy to make at home whenever you need it. It’s a simple combination of dried minced garlic, dried minced onion, flaked salt, black sesame seeds, sesame seeds, and poppy seeds. Plus, it is a little cheaper to make your own seasoning.
To make everything bagel seasoning, simply combine all the ingredients together in a glass jar with a lid, close the lid tight, and shake it to mix. You can make it just for the recipe and make extra and store it in the same glass jar. Seasoning mixes tend to have a long shelf life, just make sure to store it in a cool, dark place.
Ingredient Notes
Everything Bagel Seasoning – This is a simple combination of dried minced garlic, dried minced onion, sesame seeds, black sesame seeds, poppy seeds and flaky salt. You can also buy it at the store already mixed and ready to use if you’d prefer.
Parmesan Cheese – For the best flavor and consistency, use freshly grated parmesan cheese.
Sour Cream – I don’t recommend using low-fat sour cream. It won’t have the same thick consistency as regular sour cream.
Cream Cheese – This should also NOT be low-fat! Plus, make sure you buy plain cream cheese with no added flavors.
White Cheddar Cheese – I like using white cheddar because the color matches the other ingredients in the cheese ball. However, you can use yellow cheddar if that’s what you already have on hand. The only difference between yellow and white cheddar is the color. There is no difference in flavor.
See recipe card for complete information on ingredients and quantities.
How to Make Everything Bagel Cheese Ball
Make the seasoning. Combine all of the ingredients in a jar, close with a lid and shake. Alternately, you can can mix everything together in a bowl with a spoon. (1)
Let the cream cheese soften. Pull the cream cheese out of the refrigerator to soften 30-45 minutes before making the cheese ball.
Add more cheeses. Combine cream cheese with sour cream and grated cheeses (2).
Add seasoning. Mix the everything bagel seasoning into the cheese mixture (3).
Transfer to a bowl. Place a large piece of plastic wrap inside a deep bowl and transfer the cream cheese mixture into the bowl (4).
Form a cheese ball. Bring all the ends of plastic wrap together and twist to seal. Shape the mixture into a ball and place it back into a bowl (5).
Chill. Refrigerate the cheese ball overnight, or for at least 2 hours.
Roll it in seasoning. About 20 minutes before serving, unwrap the cheese ball and roll it in everything bagel seasoning.
PRO TIP: Let the cheese ball sit for 15-20 minutes before serving it to the guests. This will give it a chance to soften and be easier to spread.
How to Make Mini Cheese Balls
Prepare the cream cheese mixture according to the recipe, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. No need to shape the mixture into a ball since it will be divided into small portions.
To keep mini cheese balls the same size, use a cookie scoop to scoop out even amounts of cheese mixture and roll them into balls. Roll each ball in seasoning mix.
Insert pretzel sticks into each mini cheese ball. Note that you may need a little more seasoning mix for mini cheese balls.
Make Ahead, Storing, Freezing
Make Ahead: One of the reasons I love this appetizer is that I can make it ahead of time. Just don’t roll it in seasoning until right before serving, that way the seasoning doesn’t get soggy. You can also wrap the cheese ball in an extra layer of aluminum foil, after it’s been wrapped in plastic wrap. This will give it a little more protection from exposure to air.
Storing: Properly stored and refrigerated, a cheese ball can last up to 7 days. Make sure to wrap it airtight in plastic or other wrap.
Freezing: Technically, you can freeze a cheese ball before coating it in seasoning or nuts. In practice though, I have noticed a textural difference after the cheese ball has been defrosted. Since cream cheese and sour cream both contain a good amount of liquid, it doesn’t retain the same smooth texture after being defrosted.
Recipe FAQs
All different kinds of different dippers work well! Crackers, pretzel chips, crisp veggies (like sliced bell peppers), pita and crostini are all great options. You can also plate this cheese ball with various meats as part of a charcuterie board.
Absolutely! You can shape it into a football for game day, a Christmas tree for a holiday party, an egg for Easter, and whatever other themed shapes you can think of. The best way to shape it is on the wrap, then wrap it in that shape and refrigerate for a couple of hours to set.
Yes, you technically can use a lactose free cream cheese but it won’t be as dense. It will still hold its shape, just make sure to strain off any liquid in the cream cheese container before adding it to the cheese ball mixture. If the cheese ball seems a little too thin, you can always add a little more grated cheddar and/or parmesan cheese.
More Party Appetizer Recipes To Try
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Everything Bagel Cheese Ball Recipe
Ingredients
Everything Bagel Seasoning:
- 2 tbsp dried minced garlic
- 2 tbsp dried minced onion
- 1 1/2 tbsp sesame seeds
- 1 1/2 tbsp black sesame seeds
- 2 1/2 tbsp poppy seeds
- 1 tbsp flake salt more or less per personal taste
Cheese Ball:
- 16 oz cream cheese softened
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 4 oz grated white cheddar cheese
- 2 oz grated Parmesan cheese
- 4 tbsp everything bagel seasoning
Instructions
Everything Bagel Seasoning:
- Combine all the ingredients together in a glass jar with a lid, close the lid tight, and shake it to mix.
Cheese Ball:
- Pull cream cheese out of the refrigerator to soften 30-45 minutes before making the cheese ball.
- Combine cream cheese with sour cream, grated cheeses, and everything bagel seasoning in a bowl and mix until everything is completely incorporated.
- Place a large piece of plastic wrap inside a deep bowl and transfer the cream cheese mixture into the bowl.
- Bring all the ends of plastic wrap together and twist to seal. Shape the mixture into a ball and place it back into a bowl.
- Refrigerate overnight or for at least 2 hours.
- About 20 minutes before serving, unwrap the cheese ball and roll it in everything bagel seasoning. (Let the cheese ball sit for 15-20 minutes before serving it to the guests. This will give it a chance to soften and be easier to spread.)
Notes
- Make Ahead: One of the reasons I love this appetizer is that I can make it ahead of time. Just don’t roll it in seasoning until right before serving, that way the seasoning doesn’t get soggy. You can also wrap the cheese ball in an extra layer of aluminum foil, after it’s been wrapped in plastic wrap. This will give it a little more protection from exposure to air.
- Storing: Properly stored and refrigerated, a cheese ball can last up to 7 days. Make sure to wrap it airtight in plastic wrap.
- Freezing: Technically, you can freeze a cheese ball before coating it in seasoning or nuts. In practice though, I have noticed a textural difference after the cheese ball has been defrosted. Since cream cheese and sour cream both contain a good amount of liquid, it doesn’t retain the same smooth texture after being defrosted.
Nutrition
Originally published on Will Cook For Smiles in December 2019.
Kayla says
This is a hit at every party I go to. People ask for be to make it!
LyubaB says
That’s awesome! I am so happy to hear that!
Marian says
Where do you find white cheddar cheese
LyubaB says
Hi Marian, It will be with all the other regular cheeses at the grocery store.
Lisa says
Do you put all 4T bagel seasoning in the ball?
LyubaB says
Hi, Lisa! Yes, you put 4tbs in the ball then roll it in the remaining seasoning.