Everything Bagel Cheese Ball
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Elevate your entertaining game with our show-stopping Everything Bagel Cheeseball! From its charming pumpkin shape to the mouthwatering flavors, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Get ready for a dip-tastic experience!
No matter what time of year it is, this Everything Bagel Cheese Ball is sure to delight your guests as the perfect appetizer. Shaped into a pumpkin, it makes the perfect fall treat.
In my cozy kitchen, I concocted this recipe as a little party of its own, combining the warm spirit of fall with the joy of gathering loved ones around scrumptious food. The Everything Bagel Cheese Ball, with its enchanting pumpkin shape, steals the spotlight among its fellow cheeseball companions.
It’s a showstopper that will make your guests’ jaws drop and their taste buds dance with delight. If you want to see more of this spread, I have an entire fall entertaining in my kitchen post for you to check out. It’s full of fall entertaining inspiration, decor ideas, and even epic fall cocktails!
Truth be told, I love a tasty cheese ball. (Well, to be completely honest, I love cheese in any form.) Unfortunately, it seems that the humble cheeseball has gotten a bad rap. It’s been around forever and is viewed as boring by some. That’s why I decided it was time for a little makeover. In fact, over the years I’ve created cheese balls for every season! Perhaps I’m starting a new appetizer trend!
The concept for this cheeseball was inspired by the super trendy everything bagel. Obsessed with the “Everything But the Bagel” seasoning blend from Trader Joe’s, I assumed a cheeseball covered in the spices would be incredible. Boy, was I right!
Why You’ll Love this Recipe
- This recipe is a breeze to make, even for those with minimal culinary experience. With simple instructions and readily available ingredients, you’ll have a delightful cheeseball ready to impress in no time.
- The combination of cream cheese, cheddar cheese, everything bagel seasoning, and other savory ingredients creates a symphony of flavors that will tantalize and delight!
- Whether you choose to shape your cheeseball into a charming pumpkin or keep it classic with a round shape, this recipe allows you to customize your creation based on your occasion and personal style.
- This cheeseball is a guaranteed hit at any gathering. Its unique presentation and delectable taste will leave your guests in awe and coming back for seconds.
In this post, I’m sharing all the details for my everything bagel cheese ball. I also have a post dedicated to the sun-dried tomato cheese ball as well as mini pumpkin cheese balls.
Ingredients
Before we get into the recipe, you’ll need to gather up a few ingredients to make this delicious everything bagel cheese ball.
- cream cheese
- sour cream
- horseradish
- sharp cheddar cheese
- scallions
- bacon
- everything bagel seasoning
- Bagel chips and/or crackers
If you’re shaping this into a pumpkin you’re also going to need a stem. To do that, I removed a stem from a small pumpkin and inserted it into the top of the cheeseball. If you’re not feeling that extra, you can use a pretzel stick, celery stick, etc. Get creative!
To remove a stem from a pumpkin, I recommend cutting off the very top of the pumpkin like I did here and then peeling away the pumpkin flesh. This will lessen the risk of breaking the stem.
How to Make
I’ll walk you through the steps for making this cheese ball below. I’ve also provided a full ingredient list and detailed instructions in the printable recipe card below.
- In a bowl, mix together the cream cheese, sour cream, horseradish, cheddar cheese, scallions, and bacon. Form the mixture into a ball, wrap with plastic wrap, and chill for an hour.
- Once the cheeseball has set, roll it into the Everything But the Bagel seasoning blend to evenly coat.
- To make your cheeseball resemble a pumpkin, add a real or faux pumpkin stem to the top.
- While the stem clearly made this look like a pumpkin, I also used a chopstick to create grooves from the base of the pumpkin to the stem. This extra step makes this illusion more realistic, don’t you think?
- Serve with bagel chips and crackers.
Tada!
How to Serve
Once you’ve crafted your Everything Bagel Cheese Ball, it’s time to present it in a way that will leave a lasting impression. Here are some ideas to create a memorable spread:
- Crunchy Accompaniments: Arrange an assortment of crispy crackers and breadsticks around the cheeseball. Choose a mix of flavors and textures to complement the cheeseball’s richness.
- Fresh and Colorful: Include a selection of fresh vegetable sticks and slices like carrots, celery, bell peppers, and cucumbers. You could even tuck in a eally good veggie dip.
- Centerpiece Excellence: Place the pumpkin-shaped cheeseball at the center of the platter and surround it with other pumpkin-shaped cheeseballs, like I did, for a festive touch. I set everything up using a long wood cutting board and a matching cake stand to add height. Crackers and breadsticks filled various containers, while produce from the farmers market provided more color and seasonal flare. Operation fall entertaining complete.
- Seasonal Fruits: Add slices of apple, pear, or grapes to provide a refreshing contrast to the cheeseball. Arrange them in separate bowls or on the platter for variety.
- Delicious Dips: Offer a variety of complementary easy dips such as ranch, honey mustard, or tomato salsa. Place small bowls of these dips strategically around the platter for easy access.
- Garnish and Accents: Sprinkle fresh herbs like parsley or dill over the cheeseball and platter for a touch of elegance. Consider adding edible flowers or fall-themed accents for added visual appeal.
Encourage your guests to explore the flavors and textures by mixing and matching the cheese ball with the accompaniments. Create an inviting atmosphere where they can enjoy the interactive experience and make lasting memories. Happy hosting and may your spread be as beautiful as the moments you share!
Not Serving In the Fall?
No worries! Skip the pumpkin shape and just roll it into a ball to suit any season or holiday.
Whether you choose to shape your cheeseball into a charming pumpkin or keep it classic with a round shape, this recipe allows you to customize your creation based on your occasion and personal style.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I prepare the cheeseball in advance?
Absolutely! This cheeseball can be prepared a day or two in advance. Simply store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve. This allows the flavors to meld together and makes party prep a breeze. I recommend waiting to add the everything bagel seasoning until you’re ready to serve.
Can I substitute any ingredients in this recipe?
Certainly! Feel free to get creative and adapt the recipe to suit your preferences. You can experiment with different cheese varieties, add herbs like dill or parsley, or even incorporate a hint of spicy kick with crushed red pepper flakes. The choice is yours!
What did you use for the coating on the orange pumpkin cheese balls?
I wanted an intense orange color for these three cheeseballs, so I busted out my secret ingredient: Nacho Cheese Doritos. I put them in a large plastic baggie and smashed them with a rolling pin. Pulverized, they were the perfect shade of orange, and they added a delightful flavor to my mini cheeseballs.
Can I make a smaller portion of the cheeseball?
Of course! If you’re hosting a smaller gathering or prefer a more intimate serving size, you can easily halve the ingredients to make a smaller cheeseball. Adjust the seasonings accordingly to maintain the perfect balance of flavors. If you need a little inspiration, check out these mini cheese truffles and my mini pumpkin cheese balls.
What are some serving suggestions for the traditional round cheeseball?
For the classic round cheeseball, serve it on a decorative platter surrounded by an assortment of crackers, breadsticks, and fresh fruit slices. You can even add a touch of elegance with a drizzle of honey or a sprinkle of fresh herbs on top.
Can I freeze the cheeseball?
I guess, but I would avoid it if possible. I’m personally not a fan of freezing recipes like this, but if absolutely necessary, it can be done.
Remember, if you have any more questions or need further assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out in the comments section below.
More Recipes You’ll Love
- Sun-Dried Tomato Cheeseball
- Apple-Shaped Cheeseballs
- Mini Cheeseballs (Cheeseball Truffles)
- Buffalo Chicken Cheeseball
- Christmas Tree Cheeseball
You MUST try this everything bagel cheese ball recipe. You’ll be so glad you did! If you do, please leave a comment and a 5-star rating below.
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Everything Bagel Cheeseball
Ingredients
- 1 package (8-ounce) cream cheese softened
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons prepared horseradish
- 1 cup finely shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 2 scallions chopped
- 6 slices bacon cooked and chopped
- About 1/2 cup Everything But the Bagel seasoning blend*
- Bagel chips and/or crackers for serving
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix together the cream cheese, sour cream, horseradish, cheddar cheese, scallions, and bacon. Form the mixture into a ball, wrap with plastic wrap, and chill for an hour.
- Once the cheeseball has set, roll it into the Everything But the Bagel seasoning blend to evenly coat.
- (To make your cheeseball resemble a pumpkin, add a real or faux pumpkin stem to the top. Then use the tip of a chopstick or the back of a butter knife to create grooves.)
- Serve with bagel chips and crackers.
Can you make this a day ahead
Yes, but I would wait to add the everything bagel seasoning on the outside until you’re ready to serve.
xo Michael
Made it and is very delicious and very appealing looking
I made this for Christmas Eve dinner appetizer and it was a huge hit. Thank you for recipes that are easy to make but are always delicious.
I made the Everything Bagel seasoning cheese ball for the first time this fall and everyone loved it. Will be making again for Christmas Eve! Thank you!
This looks wonderful! I just have to comment on what a pleasure it is to read your posts. I can hold my own pretty well in the cooking department (although I always appreciate inspiration and new ideas) but where you really shine is your creativity and artistic talent. Your decor, tablescapes and other touches are absolutely beautiful. The other reason I read your blog along with just a few others these days is your obvious kindness, sincerity and enthusiasm for helping others create. Awesome job!
Michael, I missed seeing this so I’m glad to find it now. Super cute and it sounds really tasty. These are all ingredients I keep on hand, including the Bagel seasoning from TJ’s. I also have kept plenty of long, twisty stems from pumpkins over the years. They come in handy for various projects!
I love this cheeseball recipe. I omit bacon so it is vegetarian friendly, shape it into a pineapple bottom shape on a plate, use a fresh pineapple top to garnish, and stud the (everything bagel covered) surface with pecan halves to complete the pineapple look. It’s always a hit at our tropical themed parties. It’s a delicious and versatile recipe outside of pumpkin-time.