Mini Pimento Cheese Balls with Bacon and Pecans

Perhaps one of the most famous of Southern delicacies, the Pimento Cheese Ball is tangy, cheesy, and creamy—making it the perfect appetizer for any occasion. Whether serving these at a Kentucky Derby or Super Bowl party, on your girls’ night charcuterie board, or for a late-night snack, this easy party appetizer will satisfy everyone in the room. 

 

The Perfect Cheese Ball Appetizer For All Your Gatherings

Also known as Southern pate, pimento cheese spread (also famously served as a giant ball) is a flavorful combo of cream cheese, sharp cheddar, and cherry red pimento peppers. Don’t worry though! Pimento peppers are relatively mild and have an almost sweet heat to them.

However, you can always add a pinch of cayenne pepper to your cheese mixture if you’re looking for a little heat at the game day table. This is one of those Southern party staples that you don’t want to miss out on. 

Rather than shredded cheese, that is the staple for pimento cheese dip, the cheese for cheese balls is processed with cream cheese so that it’s smooth and creamy. For a little extra Southern flair, I added a coating of crispy bacon and crushed pecan pieces for extra flavor, texture, and the added bonus of keeping your fingers clean as you eat appetizers. Instead of one giant cheese ball eaten with crackers, you can pop these in your mouth for one bite of cheesy goodness. 

I like to serve these with sweet pickles on the side to cut the richness of the cream cheese balls, but you don’t have to stop there. Serve it alongside fresh ingredients like bell peppers and celery sticks, and even though you don’t necessarily need them, a side of buttery Ritz crackers are always delicious with a party cheese ball.

Pimento cheese can be served so many more ways than as mini cheese balls. Try a classic pimento cheese dip, add it to cheesy biscuits, or give your mac and cheese a kick. And if you’re looking to really upgrade this party appetizer, try making my pimento cheese sausage balls. They’re a delicious treat for parties, breakfast, dinner, or whenever the craving strikes.

Where Does Pimento Cheese Come From? 

These cream cheese balls are such a Southern staple, so it might shock you to know they actually originated from the North! In the late 1800s, New York farmers started making a soft, unripe cheese that eventually turned into one of our most coveted spreads of all time, cream cheese.

Thanks to the magic of international shipping, Spain started sending over canned red peppers, known as pimentos, to the States, and voila! Just a few decades later, Good Housekeeping released their first recipe for Pimento Cheese Dip in 1908, and it became the star of all Southern gatherings for generations to come. Learn more about the history of pimento cheese and all things from the South at Southern Living. 

Why You’ll Love Mini Pimento Cheese Balls 

• Fast and Easy  –  A rough chop of ingredients, fry some bacon, than roll the balls. That’s all you need to do to make this delicious party favor.
• Cheesy Goodness  –  We all know that cheese is the superior snack food, so anything that combines two or more cheeses in one snack is always going to be a winner!
• Handheld Ease  –  These mini cheese balls have all the flavors you love without the mess. Which is great for when you need to quickly introduce yourself to someone new at the party after taking a bite! 

Ingredients For Cream Cheese Balls

• Bacon – Salty, fatty, and crispy, this is just the addition the cream cheese balls need. 
  
• Pecans – Trust me on this one, the crunch and texture of the pecans paired with the bacon makes a delicious coating. You could also use walnuts.
  
• Parsley – Fresh herbs are always a good idea! 
  
• Cheese – You’ll need softened cream cheese and lots of extra sharp cheddar to make a truly good cheese ball. 
  
• Spices – Salt, paprika, and cayenne.
  
• Pimentos – The star of the show! You’ll need to drain a jar of pimentos for this recipe. 

How To Make This Southern Favorite 

Step One: Cook Bacon.

I prefer to cook bacon in the oven. Bake on a wire rack in a 400º oven until crispy, about 20 minutes depending on the thickness of the bacon. Transfer to a paper towel and blot off the grease. Let cool.

Step Two: Make Coating. 

Add 5 strips of bacon to the bowl of a food processor.  Add ½ cup of the pecans and parsley. Using the blade attachment, process until it looks like bread crumbs. Remove to a small bowl and set aside. 

Step Three: Make Your Own Cheese. 

Change the blade of the food processor to the grate disk and grate the cheddar cheese. Switch back to the blade and add the cream cheese, more bacon, pecans, salt, paprika, and cayenne, then process with the grated cheese until it comes together. Add well-drained pimentos and process until smooth.

Step Four: Refrigerate. 

Place in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to an hour until the cheese is easier to handle. Roll cheese balls into bite-size rounds. Roll in the bacon pecan mixture and place on a baking sheet. Refrigerate until firm. 

Tips On How To Make Cream Cheese Balls

• Drain your pimento peppers well before adding to the cream cheese mixture. Too much liquid could alter the texture of the cheese and make it harder to work with. 
• Keep them refrigerated until ready to serve. Since you’re using cream cheese as the base, they can “wilt” while sitting out and they’re best when firm.
• Season as you go! Like any recipe, taste your mixture before rolling in the coating mixture. It’s easier to add flavor before hitting the final step.

What to Serve with Pimento Cheese Balls

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