Mini Cheese Balls in Fillo Shells
We all could use a few crowd-pleasing party snack ideas this time of year, and this Mini Cheese Ball Recipe served in crispy little fillo shells is fun to serve and even more fun to eat!
Cheese balls, the quintessential holiday party snack.
I could probably count on one hand the times I’ve been to a Christmas party and the Cheese Ball was not represented.
After all, what’s not to love about a big ball of soft cheese rolled in nuts?
If a good cheese ball recipe is your thing, I am going to make you supremely happy today by offering you itty-bitty, cherry stuffed, white cheddar, cheese balls rolled in pistachios.
…or bacon.
You’re welcome.
These teeny-weeny cheese balls are the perfect finger food, each with a soft savory interior and a crunchy exterior to keep your fingers clean.
The base of this cheese balls recipe is equal parts shredded white cheddar and cream cheese. It’s then mixed with lemon zest, herbs and spices, and a little punch of cherry flavor from tart dried cherries. The cherries provide color, sweetness, and a touch of holiday flair without over powering the cheesy essence.
After rolling the cheese balls in a nutty coating, this mini cheese balls recipe is perfected by pressing each ball into it’s own crunchy fillo (phyllo) shell.
Crackers-shmackers, who needs ‘em.
In fact, Athens Mini Fillo Shells are a great choice for holiday party snacks because they are fully baked and ready to fill, so you can open the box and use them immediately.
Plus they make all your party nibbles look so cute!
You should also know Athens Mini Fillo Shells:
- Can be baked for hot appetizers
- Are great with sweet or savory fillings
- Are healthier than loading up of crackers and bread
- And are CUTE.
Did I mention how cute they are? I just love cute food…
The mini fillo shells hold each tiny cheese ball like a pearl of holiday cheer and provide crunchy contrast, to boot.
You can find more delicious mini fillo shell ideas at AthensFoods.com and can even enter their Get Social with Mini Fillo Shells Contest to win cash prizes and all sorts of goodies.
Make sure to check it out!
Yield: 40
Total Time: 20 minutes
Mini Cheese Ball Recipe in Fillo Shells
Ingredients:
- 8 oz. cream cheese
- 8 oz. shredded white cheddar
- Zest of 1 lemon 1 Tb. fresh chopped thyme leaves (1 tsp. dried)
- 3 dashes cayenne pepper
- 1/4 cup dried tart cherries
- 1 cup chopped pistachios (or 1/2 cup pistachios + 1/2 cup chopped cooked bacon)
- 3 boxes Athens Mini Fillo Shells
Directions:
- Place both cheeses in the food processor and puree until smooth. Add the lemon zest, thyme, cayenne, and cherries and pulse until the cherries are chopped and evenly distributed.
- Cover and chill for at least 30 minutes.
- Place the pistachios (and bacon) in small bowls. Scoop a 2 tsp. portion of cheese mixture into your hands and roll into a smooth ball. Then place the ball in the pistachios and gently shake until the ball is covered with nuts. Press the cheese ball into a mini fillo shell and place on a platter. Repeat with the remaining cheese mixture.
- If making ahead, cover the platter well and refrigerate until ready to serve. Can be made 1-2 days ahead.
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Athens Foods. All opinions are, of course, my own.
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How cute are these Sommer! I love bite size appetizers and those little fillo cups definitely make it easier to pull off for a big party. We’re having a big holiday open house this year – these mini cheese balls would be perfect!
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Love everything about these!
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This is flippin’ brilliant, Sommer! I HAVE to make these when my family visits this Christmas…or maybe for New Year’s Eve…or maybe both.
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Sommer these lok fabolous!! Everytime I go to a [arty and they have cheese, it’s brie and it hardens up, so it’s hard to cut and breaks on a cracker! I love this idea with cheese balls! Your photos look fabolous!!
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These are just about the cutest little appetizers ever!
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Ok… these aren’t JUST cheese balls. I was expecting a big hunk of orange something in the middle. These are so much more.
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I adore the little cups! So cute – and perfect for parties!
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Such a great way to serve them!
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How cute and with pistachios!! Love this!!
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These are so clever! Absolutely love this idea!
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I’m in love with cute food, too. And these are definitely cute. And they look fabulously delicious, AND perfect for the holidays!!
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Sommer … these are such a wonderful creation of the old favorite cheese ball. I have a special adaptation I’ll have to try, and yes, my Spicing Pecans web page is coming soon and I hope I can link to your work often. Again, these Mini Cheese Balls in the Filo Cups are great! Thanks.
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These look so fun for a party! And they’re cheese ball so they’re obviously delicious!
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I was looking for these tart shells in my small-town grocery store and couldn’t find them, so I had to make my own shells. Not as easy, but definitely still delicious! Love fillo!
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These are definitely a crowd pleasing treat. I love everything about these!
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Oh HAAAAAYELL Yes.
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These look lovely. I love recipe. I have to pin it
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yum! perfect to bring to a holiday party!
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The bacon and cheese balls might be my new favorite food! I wish I had the ingredients to make them for a party tonight. Next time for sure!
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So CUTE!!! And delightful
Loving this cheese ball idea, Sommer!
Hugs <3
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C
U
T
E
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This recipe contains two words I’m extremely fond of: cheese and fillo. Everything else is just gravy.
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great idea – I love finger food for parties
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Ahem – this is brilliant!!!
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i cannot think of one thing i do not like about a cheese ball!
then again, i’m not lactose intolerant. (how sad for them…)
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I love everything about these!!
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Mmm what an awesome appetizer idea!
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I love the idea of these mini cheeseballs. Can’t wait to make a vegan version!
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Thank you for all your delicious recipes and your generosity with the giveaways throughout the year. Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year to you and yours.
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These are super cute and creative, Sommer! I know I’d gobble up more than a few myself!
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So darn cute, is what these are! I love the idea of doing a mini cheese ball. That way, you don’t have to commit to just one flavor!
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What a great idea! Quick, adorable, make ahead, and flexible. You nailed the perfect holiday party food, Sommer.
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