Cheeseball Recipe | Low Carb Cream Cheese Appetizer (2024)

This Cheeseball recipe is both low carb and low effort. Make this simple Cheeseball for your next holiday party or gathering in virtually no time at all!

Why You're Going To Love This

• Fast. Not including the chill time, make this tasty appetizer in less than 30 minutes.
• Easy. Prepare the ingredients, mix, chill, garnish, and serve!
• Low Carb. An appetizer that can easily fit into your low carb lifestyle.
• Versatile. Use a variety of different ingredients to create your perfect cheeseball recipe.

What Is A Cheeseball?

Those orange crispy things that come in gallon barrels? Nope. That's not what we're talking about here. This is a low carb appetizer that will keep you full with just a few dips in a cracker.

Cheeseballs are cream cheese stuffed logs or balls that are loaded with a variety of ingredients and served cold.

What Is A Cheeseball Made Of?

This cheeseball is made of all low carb ingredients, but feel free to add in other things if you're not living a keto lifestyle.

Here's what you'll need for this recipe:

• Cream Cheese- This is the bulk of your cheeseball
• Sour Cream- Thins the consistency of the dish, making it easily spreadable.
• Cheddar Cheese- Adds a rich, sharp bite.
• Bacon Bits- Gives a salty and slightly crunchy bite.
• Ham- Adds a little more protein to the cheeseball.
• Scallions- For freshness.
• Salt
• Pepper
• Garlic
• Smoked Paprika
• Walnuts (optional)- Provides a healthy, crunchy element.
• Cranberries (optional)- The sweetness balances the saltiness of the bacon bits and ham.
• Parsley- A bright and herbaceous flavor that adds color to the presentation.

How To Make This Cheeseball Recipe

Love a simple no-cook recipe? This is exactly what you'll need. Especially with how hectic the holiday season can be. All of the ingredients in this recipe are pre-cooked or require no time under heat before serving.

The only thing you'll need to worry about is time for chilling.

Here's how to make an easy low carb cheeseball:

1. Slice up ham and scallions.
2. Grate the cheddar cheese.
3. Soften the cream cheese.
4. Add in the spices, chopped ham, scallions, and bacon bits.
5. Mix all of the previously listed ingredients in a bowl.
6. Place the contents of your mixing bowl in a big mound in the middle of a piece of plastic wrap.
7. Bundle the plastic wrap with the bowl contents inside, creating a loosely formed ball.
8. Secure the top of the plastic wrap and chill the cheeseball for 2 hours.
9. Remove the cheeseball from the refrigerator and firmly press the cranberries, parsley, and walnuts into the outside of the cheeseball. Omit this step to reduce carbs even more.
10. Serve and enjoy with desired low carb dippers.

Tips And Tricks

Making a cream cheese cheeseball is a great way to create a delicious and versatile appetizer. Here are some tips and tricks to help you make it perfect every time:

• Bring Ingredients to Room Temperature. Allow the cream cheese to soften at room temperature before making the cheeseball. This makes it easier to blend and results in a smoother texture.
• Add Mix-Ins Gradually. When adding ingredients like shredded cheese, herbs, spices, or mix-ins, do so gradually. This ensures even distribution and prevents overmixing.
• Let It Rest. Allow the cheeseball to sit at room temperature for a short time before serving. This helps it soften slightly, making it easier to spread on crackers.

Variations

Creating a low-carb cheeseball is a fantastic idea for those following a low-carb or keto diet. Here are some variations and ingredient ideas for a delicious appetizer:

• Everything Bagel Seasoning- Roll your cheeseball in everything bagel seasoning for a savory and crunchy coating. This seasoning typically includes sesame seeds, poppy seeds, onion flakes, and garlic flakes.
• Sundried Tomato and Basil- Mix chopped sun-dried tomatoes (in oil, drained) and fresh basil into the cream cheese. Roll in crushed nuts or additional chopped sun-dried tomatoes for added texture.
• Pesto and Pine Nuts- Incorporate low-carb pesto sauce into the cream cheese mixture. Roll the cheeseball in chopped pine nuts for a nutty finish.
• Smoked Salmon and Dill- Add finely chopped smoked salmon and fresh dill to the cream cheese. Consider rolling it in crushed pork rinds for a crunchy coating.

What Do You Eat With Cheeseballs?

The possibilities are endless of the things you can serve with this. Whether you're living a low carb lifestyle or are indulging for the holidays, here are a few of my favorite things to serve with this cheeseball recipe:

• Low Carb Crackers- provide the crisp texture you expect when dipping while keeping things low carb.
• Celery- Something crunchy, low carb, and low calorie.
• Carrots- Add some crunch and sweetness to this recipe.
• Saltines- Not low carb, but easily accessible when you need a quick bite.
• Buttery Crackers- Sturdy and great for grabbing a big scoop of this cheeseball.
• Broccoli- Add a little more green to your diet with this healthy veggie.
• Cauliflower- Nothing is more synonymous with low carb diets than cauliflower, so if it's what you have in your crisper, don't be afraid to dig in.

How Long Is A Homemade Cheeseball Good For?

While this low-carb cheeseball is best served freshly made, don't worry about having leftovers to snack on later.

For the best results, plan on consuming this cheeseball recipe within 4 days after making it. If you wait any longer before enjoying it, the dairy will begin to separate and make for a less than desirable snack.

More Tasty Appetizers

• Goat Cheese Appetizer
• Buffalo Chicken Dip
• Korean Chicken Wings

Pin It!

If you love this Cheeseball Recipe as much as we do, make sure you share it with your friends on Facebook and Instagram so you can try it too. Don't forget to Pin it so you can make it again soon!

Don't forget to check out my other Keto cookbooks.

Keto Instant Pot, Keto Fat Bombs, Sweets, & Treats, and Easy keto in 30 minutes.