Cheese and Olive Balls
Perfect as a crowd-pleasing appetizer or an elegant party snack, these Cheese and Olive Balls are a savory bite-sized treat that’s bursting with flavor. Made with sharp cheddar cheese, a hint of paprika, and a touch of cayenne for subtle heat, these golden-baked delights feature a buttery, flaky dough encasing a briny green olive core. With only 20 minutes of hands-on prep time and a short bake, they’re as quick as they are impressive. Their irresistible combination of creamy, cheesy goodness and tangy olive makes them an ideal choice for holiday gatherings, cocktail parties, or anytime you’re craving an easy, yet impressive finger food. Serve them warm for ultimate flavor and watch them disappear in no time!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups (shredded) sharp cheddar cheese
- 0.5 cup (softened) unsalted butter
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 0.5 teaspoon paprika
- 0.25 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 25 whole (pitted) green olives
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded cheddar cheese and softened butter. Mix until well combined.
Gradually add the all-purpose flour, paprika, and cayenne pepper to the cheese and butter mixture. Stir until a soft dough forms. If the dough feels too crumbly, knead it lightly with your hands until it comes together.
Take a small portion of dough (about 1 tablespoon) and flatten it into a disc in the palm of your hand.
Place one whole pitted green olive in the center of the disc, then wrap the dough around the olive, rolling it into a smooth ball. Repeat with the remaining dough and olives.
Arrange the cheese and olive balls on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a bit of space between each one.
Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the balls are golden and slightly crispy on the outside.
Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes before serving. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1946 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 142.8 g | 183% | |
| Saturated Fat | 80.7 g | 404% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 366 mg | 122% | |
| Sodium | 3630 mg | 158% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 104.7 g | 38% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 8.0 g | 29% | |
| Total Sugars | 0.4 g | ||
| Protein | 71.2 g | 142% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 1771 mg | 136% | |
| Iron | 6.7 mg | 37% | |
| Potassium | 186 mg | 4% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
