Everything bagel cheese ball is an easy appetizer recipe that's perfect for your next holiday gathering. This flavorful cheese ball is made with cream cheese, shredded cheese, and everything bagel seasoning.
The cheese ball is a classic cold appetizer that's perfect for your next family or holiday gathering. Set a cheese ball out with crackers and vegetables for an easy self-serve snack.
This everything bagel cheese ball is a flavorful crowd favorite. It's made with cream cheese, two types of shredded cheese, worcestershire sauce, and - of course - everything bagel seasoning.
Everything bagel seasoning and cream cheese are the perfect pairing. Filled with sesame seeds, salt, poppy seeds, onion, and garlic - this popular seasoning adds tons of flavor and crunch.
Serve as an appetizer for Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Eve, or your next Sunday football party. Any time of year is perfect for a cheese ball!
Ingredients and substitutions
- Cream cheese - Regular or light block-style cream cheese will work in this recipe.
- Worcestershire sauce - If you can't use worcestershire sauce due to allergies, soy sauce or balsamic vinegar would make an adequate substitution.
- Cheeses - I like to use the combination of sharp cheddar and parmesan cheeses, but you are welcome to substitute with similar cheeses you have on hand. Monterey jack, swiss, or mozzarella will also work.
- Everything bagel seasoning - Store bought or homemade everything bagel seasoning can be used for this recipe.
Tips and tricks
Bring cream cheese to room temperature - Cold cream cheese can create a lumpy, uneven cheese ball that's difficult to mix together. Room temperature cream cheese is much easier to work with and mixes easily with the remaining ingredients.
Test the saltiness of your bagel seasoning - Some readers have found that their cheese ball turned out too salty depending on the brand of everything bagel seasoning. Give your seasoning a taste - if it's very salty, you may want to cut the measurements in half.
Frequently asked questions
The "everything bagel" is a popular type of bagel that varies based on where you buy it. An everything bagel starts with a regular bagel as the base, but is topped with a variety of savory toppings.
Everything bagel seasoning generally includes poppy seeds, sesame seeds, salt, onion flakes, and garlic flakes. The overall flavor is salty and savory.
- fresh vegetables: carrots, celery, and bell pepper slices
- crackers
- pretzel chips
- pretzels
- bagel chips
- apple slices
Yes, your cheese ball can be made and stored in the refrigerator for up to a week ahead of time. If you're planning on storing your cheese ball for more than a day, I recommend leaving off the everything bagel seasoning until just before serving. It loses its crunchy texture in the refrigerator over time.
Recommended
📖 Recipe
Everything Bagel Cheese Ball
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce
- 3 tablespoons everything bagel seasoning, divided
Instructions
- In a bowl, add softened cream cheese, sharp cheddar, parmesan, worcestershire sauce, and one tablespoon of everything bagel seasoning. Mash ingredients together until evenly incorporated.
- Form cheese mixture into a ball using plastic wrap or wax paper. Refrigerate for about 2 hours, or until firm.
- Pour remaining 2 tablespoons of everything bagel seasoning onto a plate. Unwrap cheese ball and gently roll in seasoning until evenly coated.
- Serve with crackers and sliced vegetables. Or, refrigerate until ready to serve.
Equipment Recommendations
Notes
- Cheese ball can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to one week before serving. Seal tightly in plastic wrap and place in a sealed container until ready to serve.
- If refrigerating cheese ball for more than 1 day, refrain from rolling in seasoning until day of serving.
- Remove cheese ball and allow to set at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving - this will make it easier for guests to spread onto crackers.
This is my new go to recipe. I never made a cheeseball because they all called for nuts. My son is allergic to all nuts. My daughter follows a vegetarian diet so I just omit the Worcestershire sauce. Everyone loves this and it’s so quick to whip up. Thanks a million for the recipe!
i never made a cheeseball before because they all call for a nut coating. My son is allergic to all nuts so I was thrilled to find this recipe. It is delicious! I skipped the Worcestershire sauce because my daughter is vegetarian but I don’t think it’s needed. Thanks for this easy and tasty recipe!
I just made this. I had some sharp white cheddar cheese that I had shredded and used that. I also had some dried minced onion. Very tasty. I didn't make it into a cheese ball.
These are so salty!! Used only the internet T of bagel seasoning. Not going to roll it the bagel seasoning. If they are still salty when chilled maybe adding another 8oz of cream cheese may help.
Hi Kathi, the saltiness may depend on the brand of seasoning used - do you recall which brand it was? This may help future readers to use less of this particular brand for their cheese balls!
I agree.....probably depends on the seasoning brand. I've made this several times and our family loves it! My son even asked for the recipe. The only thing I do differently is add some toasted sesame seeds to the bagel seasoning.
This looks delicious! Do you think I could make mini balls?
Yes, you could definitely make mini balls with this recipe!
do you use fresh grated parmesan or the powdery stuff?
I use fresh grated parmesan cheese for best flavor and texture.