Cheese balls became a classic appetizer for a reason- they’re quick to throw together & pretty to present. This everything bagel cheese ball has a savory everything bagel seasoning outer shell with a rich & creamy cheesy center. Spread it on crackers for an easy dish that will impress any guest.

I totally enjoy having company over, whether it’s pre planned or a surprise visit.

I don’t like being unprepared though.

So I always have the means to make a little something to put out for snacking on.

Cheese balls are a favorite of mine for this.

They’re super easy to throw together, and can take on pretty much any flavor you can think of.

They’re also delicious, and pretty.

Keep this recipe for an everything bagel cheese ball handy, and you’ll impress all the guests you serve it to.

Even at the last minute!

Ingredients Needed

Cream Cheese – An 8 ounce block of regular cream cheese, softened to room temperature. Do not sub whipped or spreadable cream cheese- they’re too soft and will prevent your cheese ball from firming up properly.
Sour Cream – A few tablespoons of sour cream make this cheese ball extra creamy. Any brand will work.
Seasonings – A blend of onion & garlic powders give some delicious flavor to the cheese mixture, and the cheese ball’s coated in everything bagel seasoning on the outside.
Cheese – Freshly grated, or shredded, cheddar cheese- the prepackaged shredded stuff is too big & chunky to blend in smoothly.
Hot Sauce – A little bit of hot sauce adds just the right amount of zip to this savory cheese appetizer.

How To Make

I don’t know why cheese balls seem hard to do- they’re actually very easy to make!

To make this everything bagel cheese ball, start by adding both the softened cream cheese and the sour cream to a mixing bowl.

Using a hand mixer, whip them together. Blend just until the mixture’s smooth & creamy.

Add all of the remaining ingredients EXCEPT the everything bagel seasoning to the mixture.

Using a spatula, fold everything in until it’s all evenly incorporated.

Lay a large sheet of plastic wrap out on a flat surface. A clean countertop of large cutting board will both work.

Using your spatula, scrape down the sides of the bowl and pull all of the cheese mixture to one side of the mixing bowl until it’s in a large lump.

Use the spatula to transfer this lump from the mixing bowl onto the center of the plastic wrap.

Fold the plastic wrap over the cheese ball until it’s completely sealed inside.

Using your hands, gently press and shape the mixture into a ball shape. It doesn’t have to be perfect.

Put the wrapped cheese ball in the refrigerator and let it chill for 30 minutes.

The cheese ball will be cold and much more firm. Smooth out any rough spots with your hands.

Add the everything bagel seasoning to a flat plate.

Unwrap the shaped cheese ball and place it in the center of the plate right on top of the everything bagel seasoning.

Using your hands, scoop the seasoning up and over the sides of the cheese ball.

If it’s not sticking, you can gently press it in so it does.

Carefully turn the cheese ball over, and repeat- just until it’s completely covered.

If you have one bare spot, or a troublesome spot, just make that the bottom.

Transfer the everything bagel cheese ball to a serving platter, or cutting board.

Serve with a variety of dipping options, and enjoy!

Storing

Any leftover cheese ball can be re-wrapped in plastic wrap, and kept in the refrigerator for up to a week.

The coating will get soft as it absorbs some of the moisture from the cheese, but the filling inside is just as delicious.

Often even more flavorful as everything has time to deepen!

Dipping Options For A Savory Cheese Ball

While cheese balls can be paired with a variety of dipping options, we definitely have favorites.

Some of our favorites to serve with this everything bagel cheese ball include:

Bagel Chips
Sliced Baguette
Celery Sticks
Sturdy Crackers – like tricuits or wheat thins
Pretzels – pretzel chips, crackers, or even regular pretzels
Sliced sweet peppers

Can This Be Made Ahead Of Time?

Yes!

This cheese ball can be made up to a day ahead of time, and left wrapped and chilled in the refrigerator.

Remove it from the refrigerator for 30-45 minutes before you’re ready to use it, so that it has time to soften to closer to room temperature.

This will allow it to soften and become spreadable again.

Don’t coat it in the bagel seasoning until just before serving.

Who Makes The Best Everything Bagel Seasoning?

Hands down, Trader Joe’s ‘everything but the bagel’ seasoning is the best one I’ve tasted.

However, it is pretty expensive considering the size.

If flavor (and price point) are important, Costco carries Olde Thompson brand and it’s also very good.

You can also find it on Amazon.

TIPS & TRICKS

If you want to make a lighter version, you can substitute low fat cream cheese or neufchatel.
Don’t skip the chill time! This helps the cheese ball firm up so that it will maintain it’s shape & also take on the outer ‘shell’ of the seasoning.
Cheese balls can be notoriously stiff, so rather than dipping crackers into it- have a spreader on the side and use that to get a bit of the cheese ball and spread it over your crackers.

Other Easy Appetizer Ideas

Quick and easy, and always delicious- this everything bagel cheese ball is the perfect appetizer to serve to guests.

Whatever the occasion, it’s guaranteed to be a hit!

Looking for other easy appetizer ideas to have handy?

Try these:

If you’ve tried this EVERYTHING BAGEL CHEESE BALL, or any other recipe on the site, let me know in the comment section how it turned out, we love hearing from our readers! You can also follow along with me on PINTEREST, FACEBOOK, and INSTAGRAM to see more amazing recipes and whatever else we’ve got going on!

Everything Bagel Cheese Ball

Cheese balls became a classic appetizer for a reason- they're quick to throw together & pretty to present. This everything bagel cheese ball has a savory everything bagel seasoning outer shell with a rich & creamy cheesy center. Spread it on crackers for an easy dish that will impress any guest.

5 from 1 vote

Print Pin Rate

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 10

Chill Time: 30

Total Time: 40

Servings: cheese ball

Calories: 1012kcal

Author: Meaghan - The Quicker Kitchen

Ingredients

8 ounces cream cheese softened
2 1/2 tbsp sour cream
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp onion powder
1/3 cup freshly grated cheddar cheese
1 tsp hot sauce
1/4-1/3 cup everything bagel seasoning

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Add the cream cheese and sour cream to a mixing bowl. Using a hand mixer, whip together until the mixture's smooth & creamy.
Add the remaining ingredients, EXCEPT the everything bagel seasoning, to the mixing bowl. Using a spatula, fold everything together until evenly incorporated.
Lay a large piece of plastic wrap out flat on a flat surface. Scrape the cream cheese mixture into a large lump, and transfer it to the center of the plastic wrap.
Fold the plastic wrap over the cheese mixture to close and seal, then shape into a large ball.
Place the wrapped cheese ball in the refrigerator and chill for 30 minutes.
Remove the cheese ball from the refrigerator, and spread the everything bagel seasoning out on a flat plate.
Unwrap the cheese ball and place it in the center of the seasoning. Using your hands, scoop the seasoning up and over the cheese ball to cover the sides and top.
Flip the cheese ball and continue to coat in the seasoning, pressing in as needed, until completely covered.
Transfer the cheese ball to a serving platter of choice.
Serve with your favorite dipping options.

Notes

If you want to make a lighter version, you can substitute low fat cream cheese or neufchatel.
Don't skip the chill time! This helps the cheese ball firm up so that it will maintain it's shape & also take on the outer 'shell' of the seasoning.
Cheese balls can be notoriously stiff, so rather than dipping crackers into it- have a spreader on the side and use that to get a bit of the cheese ball and spread it over your crackers.