Cheese makes me happy. In fact, I can make a meal out of a charcuterie board. Cheese and apples for dinner? Yes please! If you’re with me on loving cheese, then you will love these quick and easy Bite Size Goat Cheese Balls. Roll them in your favorite toppings for a beautiful appetizer.

Bite Size Goat Cheese Balls Ingredients

Besides the delicious toppings they’re rolled in, there are only 2 ingredients in the cheese balls: Goat Cheese and Cream Cheese.

Goat Cheese

What’s goat cheese you ask? It’s cheese made out of goat’s milk, as opposed to cow’s milk. Goat’s milk is easier to digest than cow’s, since it’s lower in lactose. If you struggle with dairy digestion, then goat milk products may be a good alternative.

A serving size of goat cheese is only an ounce. But in that one ounce are many vitamins and minerals. According to Healthline.com’s article Goat Cheese Nutrition, Health Benefits & Recipes, written by Jillian Kubala, MS, RD:

A serving of goat cheese delivers 6 grams of filling protein along with a powerful combination of calcium, phosphorus and copper — nutrients that are essential for healthy bones.

Jillian Kubala, MS, RD

Goat Cheese also:

• Contains Probiotics
• Has Antibacterial & Anti-inflammatory Properties
• Is a good source of Protein & healthy Fats

Goat cheese can be soft and creamy, or hard and crumbly. The goat cheese needed to make these cheese balls is the variety that is soft and creamy. It can typically be purchased in 4oz packages at your local grocer.

Cream Cheese

Mild, soft, and creamy, does it get any better than cream cheese? While cream cheese is high in fat, it’s also high in Vitamin A.

In the article, Is Cream Cheese Healthy, written by Sharon O’Brien MS at Healthline.com, she states: Vitamin A is important for your eyeballs. It also “supports your immune system and helps protect the integrity of many tissues, such as your skin, lungs, and intestines”.

Cream Cheese, like goat cheese, is also low in lactose compared to other cheeses.

Ball Toppings

Level up these balls with a little flavor enhancer. While the possibilities are endless with what to rolls these delicious bite size goat cheese balls in, here are a few of my favorites…

Pistachios & Cranberries

Crunchy green pistachios mixed with chewy ruby red dried cranberries is a beautiful combination. In order to get these delicious bits to stick to the balls, chop them up into smaller bits.

Everything Bagel Seasoning

This is such a great blend to have on hand. I love using Everything Bagel Seasoning on my Smoked Salmon Pinwheels appetizer. It’s also great sprinkled on a salad, or on top of a fried egg.

Buy it all ready blended or make it yourself:

• 2 Tbs Poppy Seeds
• 1 Tbs White Sesame Seeds
• 1 Tbs Black Sesame Seeds
• 1 Tbs + 1 tsp dried Garlic
• 1 Tbs + 1 tsp dried Onion
• 1/2 tsp sea salt (optional)

Za’atar

This is a spice that I keep coming back to. This stuff goes great on so many things. Za’atar is an earthy Middle Eastern blend of spices that is slightly lemony. Depending on the region, the spices vary slightly.

If you’re not familiar, this is a spice that is becoming more common in the spice sections at your local grocer. Typically Za’atar is a mix of the following spices:

• Cumin
• Sesame Seeds
• Oregano or Thyme
• Sumac
• Marjoram

Of course, you can easily make your own blend if you have these items on hand. If you don’t have sumac, use ground coriander or lemon zest.

Almond & Honey

Such a lovely combination. Almonds and honey go together like Shaggy and Scoob. The crunch of the almond, mixed with the sweetness of honey, and the tanginess of the goat cheese… holy yumminess!

How to Make Goat Cheese Balls

Either use a food processor, or if you hate lugging that thing out like I do, a bowl and fork will work too.

1. Mix the room temperature cream cheese and goat cheese together.
2. Roll into balls and let chill in fridge for 20-30 minutes.
3. Roll them in your favorite toppings.

Moreover, if you are crunched for time (or impatient), pop them in the freezer for 10 minutes, it works just as well. Just don’t forget about them.

This recipe only makes 12 balls. Hence, they’re perfect for a small get together. However, this recipe can easily be scaled either way to accommodate a party of 1 or a party of 20.

That’s it! Your friends and family will be so impressed with these beauties.

How to Serve Bite Size Goat Cheese Balls

Serve these mini cheese balls on a platter as a finger food, or keep your guest’s fingers clean with these options.

Pretzel Sticks

Make these a two-bite goat cheese ball by sticking a pretzel stick in the balls when ready to serve. The pretzels get soft and unpleasant, when you put them in refrigerator. So, wait until you are serving to pretzel.

Spinach Leaves

Add some color to the serving dish by placing each ball on a single spinach leaf. Guests can gather the leaf without touching the cheesy goodness. Since spinach has a mild flavor, they can eat it right along with the cheese.

Party Pick

In any event, this is where you can really integrate the party theme to your appetizers. There are so many options out there for party picks. I like the bamboo knotted picks, or ones with a simple colored ball at the top. A 3″-4″ pick is all you need. Hence, just a toothpick will do too.

How to Store

The goat cheese balls can be made a day ahead but wait to roll them in the toppings until the day of. On account of soggy toppings are not pleasant.

Store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

More Tasty Apps

Prosciutto Wrapped Pears

Fresh & Chunky Artichoke Dip

Shrimp Cocktail with a Twist

Smoked Salmon Pinwheels

Category Favorites

Brunch: Green Chili Crustless Quiche

Mains: Artichoke Chicken

Sides: Spinach Salad with Easy Pesto Dressing

Snacks: Double Chocolate Cherry Energy Balls

Dessert: Fudgy Brownie Bites

Thanks for reading along. I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do. If you would like more healthy recipes like this one sent right to your inbox, sign up for my Recipe Drops. They’re always FREE.