Everything Bagel Cheeseball Recipe

If you love snacky, flavorful apps that steal the show at any gathering, you’re going to absolutely adores this Everything Bagel Cheeseball Recipe. I first made this for a weekend brunch with friends, and trust me — it disappeared fast. It’s creamy, tangy, a bit spicy, and that everything bagel seasoning adds such a fantastic crunchy punch. Keep reading, and I’ll share all my tips for making your cheeseball a total winner every single time.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

Every ingredient in this Everything Bagel Cheeseball Recipe plays a crucial role in building layers of flavor and texture. I love how the sharp cheddar melts right into the creaminess, while the horseradish adds a gentle kick that wakes up your palate. Here’s what to look for when you shop:

• Cream Cheese: Use full-fat and make sure it’s softened for super creamy mixing without lumps.
• Sour Cream: Adds tang and makes the cheeseball extra luscious.
• Prepared Horseradish: This gives the cheeseball a bit of zing – don’t skip it, but adjust to your heat preference.
• Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Finely shredded is key for even mixing and flavor.
• Scallions: They bring fresh brightness and a little crunch.
• Bacon: Crisped and chopped for smoky, savory goodness.
• Everything But the Bagel Seasoning Blend: This iconic mix is the star of the show, giving crunch and that classic everything bagel taste.
• Bagel Chips or Crackers: Perfect for scooping and serving your masterpiece.

Variations

One of the things I love most about this Everything Bagel Cheeseball Recipe is how easy it is to customize! Depending on your mood or what you have in the fridge, you can tweak it a bit without losing any of that crave-worthy flavor. Here are some of my favorite ways to switch it up:

• Make it Spicy: When I want a little extra heat, I add a pinch of cayenne pepper or swap horseradish for spicy mustard.
• Swap the Bacon: For a vegetarian version, crispy smoked tempeh or chopped nuts like toasted walnuts work beautifully for crunch.
• Herb Boost: Toss in fresh dill or chives for a slightly fresher, garden vibe.
• Seasoning Blend DIY: Can’t find the seasoning blend? I mix sesame seeds, poppy seeds, dehydrated onion flakes, garlic flakes, salt, and pepper and it’s just as magical.

How to Make Everything Bagel Cheeseball Recipe

Step 1: Mix Everything Smooth and Flavorful

Start by combining softened cream cheese, sour cream, horseradish, shredded cheddar, chopped scallions, and cooked bacon in a large bowl. I like to use a handheld mixer or a sturdy spoon to really work it all together until smooth and fully combined. This ensures every single bite bursts with flavor and creaminess. If your cream cheese isn’t soft enough, it can get lumpy, so leave it out at room temperature about 30 minutes before mixing.

Step 2: Shape and Chill Your Cheeseball

Once the mixture is smooth, form it into a ball with your hands or a spatula. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and chill it for at least one hour. This step is so important because chilling firms up the cream cheese base, making rolling in the seasoning blend easier and helping the flavors meld. I sometimes even make it the night before for convenience, and it’s always just as tasty.

Step 3: Coat with Everything But the Bagel Seasoning

After chilling, unwrap the cheeseball and roll it generously in everything but the bagel seasoning. The seasoning sticks best if the ball’s nicely chilled—that’s a little trick I picked up after a few crumbly attempts! Make sure to coat evenly all around so every bite gets that perfect crunch of seeds, onion, and garlic.

Step 4: Presentation and Serving Tips

If you want to get a little fancy, try adding a faux or real pumpkin stem on top and use a chopstick to gently create grooves for a fun pumpkin cheeseball look—I tried this for Halloween brunch and everyone loved the presentation. Serve it with your favorite bagel chips or crackers and watch it disappear!

How to Serve Everything Bagel Cheeseball Recipe

Garnishes

I like to keep garnishes simple—fresh scallion slices sprinkled on top add a nice pop of color and freshness. For holiday flair, a little faux pumpkin stem or sprig of fresh dill looks charming and inviting.

Side Dishes

This cheeseball pairs beautifully with crunchy bagel chips, water crackers, or even veggie sticks like sliced cucumbers and bell peppers. For a brunch spread, add smoked salmon, fresh fruit, or a crisp green salad on the side to round out the flavors.

Creative Ways to Present

Once, for a party, I served the cheeseball nestled in a hollowed-out bread bowl lined with a bed of fresh herbs. It’s such a beautiful centerpiece. And if you want to impress your guests, try slicing smaller mini cheeseballs and presenting them on skewers with cherry tomatoes and olives for easy grab-and-go bites.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you happen to have leftovers (which rarely happens!), store the cheeseball tightly wrapped in plastic wrap or in an airtight container in the fridge. It keeps well for up to 3 days, and the flavors actually deepen a bit if it sits overnight.

Freezing

I haven’t had much luck freezing this cheeseball because the texture changes a bit when thawed. If you want to try, freeze it uncoated in seasoning, wrapped really well, and thaw in the fridge slowly, then re-roll in seasoning before serving.

Reheating

This is definitely a chill-and-serve dish, so reheating isn’t necessary—and I wouldn’t recommend it because it changes the texture. Just take it out of the fridge a few minutes before serving to take the chill off for the best creamy mouthfeel.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Everything Bagel Cheeseball Recipe has become my go-to for holiday parties, casual get-togethers, and even quick snacks because it’s just so easy and tasty. I love how it manages to feel a bit fancy without much effort, plus the flavor combo is such a crowd-pleaser. If you give it a try, I’m betting it’ll become a staple in your entertaining toolkit too—you’ll get all the compliments, I promise!

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