Description
Creamy dill pickle cheese ball delights with tangy cream cheese and zesty herbs. Crisp crackers and fresh vegetables become perfect companions for this irresistible party appetizer you’ll crave at gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese Mixture:
- 16 ounces (450 grams) full-fat cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 1 cup (65 grams) finely shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons creamy sour cream or tangy Greek yogurt
Pickles and Herbs:
- 1 cup (145 grams) finely chopped dill pickles
- 2 green onions, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh chopped dill
- 1 tablespoon pickle juice from the jar
Seasonings and Coating:
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon sweet paprika powder
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt or kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 cup (55 grams) finely chopped cheddar cheese
- 1 tablespoon fresh chopped dill
- 2 teaspoons toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- In a spacious mixing vessel, whip cream cheese until ultra-smooth and velvety, creating a luxurious base for the cheese ball.
- Incorporate sour cream and pickle juice, blending thoroughly to achieve a silky, uniform consistency that promises rich flavor.
- Gently fold chopped pickles, green onions, shredded Cheddar, fresh dill, Dijon mustard, and seasonings into the cream cheese mixture, ensuring even distribution of ingredients.
- Transfer the mixture onto a sheet of plastic wrap, using the wrap to shape and mold the mixture into a compact, round formation, smoothing the exterior with gentle pressure.
- Refrigerate the cheese ball for a minimum of 3 hours, allowing flavors to meld and intensify. Overnight chilling will maximize taste complexity.
- Prior to serving, create a coating by combining selected ingredients on a flat surface. Carefully unwrap the chilled cheese ball and roll it completely in the coating mixture.
- Rotate and press gently to ensure full coverage, creating a textured exterior that adds visual appeal and extra flavor dimension.
- Transfer to a serving platter, garnish with additional fresh dill or chopped pickles if desired, and serve alongside crackers or crisp vegetable sticks.
Notes
- Pickle Potency Choose tangy dill pickles with strong flavor for maximum zesty punch in your cheese ball.
- Cheese Consistency Ensure cream cheese is at room temperature to create smooth, lump-free mixing and easier blending of ingredients.
- Overnight Magic Letting the cheese ball chill overnight allows flavors to meld and develop deeper, more complex taste profiles.
- Coating Customization Experiment with alternative coatings like crushed pretzels, toasted nuts, or everything bagel seasoning for unique texture and flavor variations.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Rolling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 167
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 299mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 38mg