Olive Cheese Balls

These Olive Cheese Balls are a classic party appetizer that never fails to impress. Made with a simple dough of sharp cheddar cheese, flour, and melted margarine, the mixture wraps around pimento-stuffed olives to create a delightful contrast of textures. The exterior becomes golden and slightly firm while baking, while the center remains soft and flavorful. They are easy to prepare, requiring minimal ingredients you likely already have in your pantry. Perfect for holiday gatherings, potlucks, or as a savory snack to serve with crackers or wine. The salty richness of the olives complements the creamy cheese perfectly.

Cooking Method: Baking

Cuisine: Global

Courses: Appetisers

Difficulty: Intermediate

Servings: 36

Calories: 544.9

Dietary: Vegetarian

Description

These Olive Cheese Balls are a classic party appetizer that never fails to impress. Made with a simple dough of sharp cheddar cheese, flour, and melted margarine, the mixture wraps around pimento-stuffed olives to create a delightful contrast of textures. The exterior becomes golden and slightly firm while baking, while the center remains soft and flavorful. They are easy to prepare, requiring minimal ingredients you likely already have in your pantry. Perfect for holiday gatherings, potlucks, or as a savory snack to serve with crackers or wine. The salty richness of the olives complements the creamy cheese perfectly.

Ingredients

1 package Cheddar cheese (8 oz.)
1 1/4 cup Flour
1/2 cup Margarine, melted
36 Pimento Stuffed olives

Directions

1
In a mixing bowl, combine the cheddar cheese and flour.
2
Add the melted margarine and mix thoroughly until a dough forms.
3
If the dough seems dry, knead briefly with your hands until smooth.
4
Take approximately 1 teaspoon of dough and mold it around each olive, forming a ball.
5
Place the cheese balls 2 inches apart on a greased baking sheet.
6
Cover the baking sheet and refrigerate for 1 hour to firm up.
7
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
8
Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until golden brown and set.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 36

Amount Per Serving
Calories 544.9kcal

% Daily Value *
Total Fat 28.5g44%
Saturated Fat 11.2g56%
Cholesterol 20.6mg7%
Sodium 441.0mg19%
Total Carbohydrate 57.5g20%
Dietary Fiber 2.0g8%
Sugars 0.4g
Protein 12.9g26%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Note

Make Ahead: These can be made ahead of time. Refrigerate the unbaked cheese balls for up to 24 hours, or freeze them for longer storage. If frozen, add 5 minutes to the baking time.

Variations: Try adding a pinch of paprika or garlic powder to the dough for extra flavor.

Serving: Serve warm or at room temperature. They pair well with crackers or as part of a charcuterie board.

Keywords: appetizer, cheese balls, olive, cheddar, party food, baked, snack, vegetarian, easy, potluck, finger food, holiday, cheesy, stuffed olives, dough

Read it online: https://www.chefs-mate.com/recipe/olive-cheese-balls/