Cracked Out Cheeseball Bites on a Pretzel Stick
When it comes to quick and easy party appetizers, Cracked Out Cheeseball Bites are one of my go-to options! These finger food bites are easy to make and can be prepared ahead of time.
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They’re made into bite-sized balls of creamy cheese, crunchy bacon, and zesty ranch seasoning, all topped with a pretzel stick for the perfect crunch. If you’re hosting a game night, a holiday party, or a casual get-together, these individual cheeseballs are one of the best appetizer you can make.
How to Make Cracked Out Cheeseball Bites
Ingredients you’ll need for this recipe
Step by Step Guide
1. Chop the parsley, and make sure your bacon and pecans are finely chopped for an even coating.
2. In a medium bowl, combine your softened cream cheese and dry ranch dressing mix. Once that’s smooth, fold in the shredded cheddar cheese along with half of the chopped bacon, pecans, and parsley.
3. In a small bowl, mix together the remaining bacon, pecans, and parsley. This will be the crunchy coating that takes these bites to the next level.
4. Using your hands or a spoon, shape the cream cheese mixture into 1 ½ inch balls (about the size of a golf ball). Roll each ball in the bacon, pecan, and parsley mixture you just prepped.
5. Place the cheeseballs in a baking dish, cover them with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least one hour to let all those flavors meld together.
6. Just before serving, stick a pretzel stick into each cheeseball. Not only do they make these bites fun and easy to eat, but they also add an extra bit of crunch.
Serve and Enjoy!
And there you have it. Arrange them on a platter and serve with extra pretzels or crackers on the side for your guests to enjoy.
Important Recipe Notes
- Make sure your cream cheese is fully softened before mixing. Cold cream cheese can lead to a lumpy mixture and uneven flavor.
- For the smoothest texture and easiest mixing, go with finely shredded cheddar. It blends better and helps the bites hold together.
- Pop the cheeseball mixture in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before forming into bites. This makes the mixture firmer and less sticky—way easier to roll!
- These bites can be made 1–2 days in advance. Just store them in an airtight container in the fridge. Add the outer coating right before serving for the best texture.
- Serve Chilled or at Room Temp: They taste best slightly chilled, but let them sit out for 10–15 minutes before serving to soften a bit for dipping and spreading.
Cracked Out Cheeseball Bites
Ingredients
- 2 – 8oz packages cream cheese, softened
- 1 oz packet dry ranch dressing mix
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ¾ cup bacon pieces, finely chopped
- ½ cup pecans, finely chopped
- ⅓ cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 20 pretzel sticks
Instructions
- Chop the parsley, and make sure your bacon and pecans are finely chopped for an even coating.
- In a medium bowl, combine your softened cream cheese and dry ranch dressing mix. Once that’s smooth, fold in the shredded cheddar cheese along with half of the chopped bacon, pecans, and parsley.
- In a small bowl, mix together the remaining bacon, pecans, and parsley. This will be the crunchy coating that takes these bites to the next level.
- Using your hands or a spoon, shape the cream cheese mixture into 1 ½ inch balls (about the size of a golf ball). Roll each ball in the bacon, pecan, and parsley mixture you just prepped.
- Place the cheeseballs in a baking dish, cover them with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least one hour to let all those flavors meld together.
- Just before serving, stick a pretzel stick into each cheeseball. Not only do they make these bites fun and easy to eat, but they also add an extra bit of crunch.
- Arrange them on a platter and serve with extra pretzels or crackers on the side for your guests to enjoy.
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