Baked Cheese Balls

I’ve always adored cheese balls; they’re among my favorite appetizers that my mother often prepares for family gatherings. Typically fried, I experimented with a healthier approach and decided to bake them instead. I was delighted to find that these Baked Cheese Balls turned out wonderfully!

These baked cheese balls are easy and quick to prepare and can make a delicious cheese appetizer perfect for any occasion. My family serves them often at holiday tables or for large family gatherings. Of course, you can still consider frying the cheese balls as well, it’s all up to you, just take into account that baking them is a lot healthier.

How to make baked cheese balls

To begin, preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).

In a medium bowl, combine the grated cheese with semolina flour. Then, add the egg, salt, pepper, and dill, mixing everything thoroughly until a dough forms.

Next, take about 1 tablespoon of the mixture and shape it into small balls. Place these cheese balls on a greased baking sheet.

Bake the cheese balls in the preheated oven for approximately 15 to 20 minutes. After this initial baking time, switch the oven setting to broil and continue to cook for an additional 3 to 5 minutes, until the cheese balls are golden and slightly crispy on the outside.

Once done, remove the cheese balls from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving. Enjoy these delicious cheese snacks as a savory treat or appetizer with your favorite dipping sauce!

Hope you will try the recipe for these Baked Cheese Balls and enjoy it as much as we did! If you do don’t forget to let me know and tag me on Instagram. Cheers.

For more ideas for appetizers check out the full collection of Appetizer Recipes.

baked cheese balls

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cheese balls

Baked Cheese Balls

5 from 1 vote
These Baked Cheese Balls are easy and quick to prepare and can make a delicious cheese appetizer perfect for any occasion. You can fry the cheese balls as well but baking them is a lot healthier.
Servings 30 servings
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 3 cups grated semi-hard cheese
  • 3 tbsp semolina
  • salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp fresh dill , chopped

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
  • In a medium bowl mix the grated cheese with semolina flour. Then add the egg, salt, pepper and dill and mix thoroughly to form a dough. 
  • Take about 1 tbsp of mixture and shape into balls. Place the cheese balls on a greased baking sheet.
  • Bake for about 15–20 minutes and another 3-5 minutes on broil. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1 cheese ballCalories: 51kcalCarbohydrates: 0.9gProtein: 3.1gFat: 3.9gSaturated Fat: 2.4gCholesterol: 18mg
Calories: 51kcal
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Romanian
Keyword: baked cheese balls, balls, cheese, cheese balls recipe, healthy cheese balls

Did you make this recipe?

Please let me know how it turned out for you! Leave a comment below and tag @homecookingadventure on Instagram and hashtag it #homecookingadventure.

Join the Conversation

  1. Kiri W Author says:

    Oh man, I could pop a ton of these 🙂

  2. Erin Author says:

    Those look awesome..I will be trying this one!

  3. Alana S Author says:

    Is this correct? Maybe it ment to say 3 CUPS of semolina? Im confused as to how this would make 28-30 cheese balls?? I would like to try this but dont want to screw it up!! 🙂 Looks delish.

    1. Ella-HomeCookingAdventure Author says:

      There is no need for so much semolina flour, 3-4 tbsp are more than enough, depending on haw hard the cheese is. If the cheese is softer you may put even some white flour, to get the right consistency. The balls are no bigger than walnuts, that’s why you can make around 28-30 balls. Hope you will try the recipe.

  4. Jesica @ Pencil Kitchen Author says:

    Quick and easy indeed.. 🙂

  5. janet@fromcupcakestocaviar Author says:

    These sound great!! I love anything cheesy and these sound so simple. I can see my family scarfing these down from the appetizer tray on Thanksgiving! Buzzed ya!

  6. Sandra Author says:

    I wasn’t expecting so few ingredients or for them to be this easy to pull together. Score!!!

  7. baobabs Author says:

    wow, these look so lovely!!! I love these as amuse bouche

  8. Jessica @ ChefHazard Author says:

    These look great

  9. miami family lawyer Author says:

    I have these all the time, they are very popular in the Colombian comunity, they are called “pan de bono”. they are really good.

  10. mmm, I made some of these the other week and they were fantastic. Yours look perfect!

  11. Jessica Author says:

    This is a great recipe to serve for the holidays! love anything with cheese 🙂

  12. barbara Author says:

    pao de queso!!!!!! its a brasilian dish. we serve it with everything!

  13. Tiffany Author says:

    I love when I happen upon a post in which I have ALL of the ingredients for! I can’t wait to make these – maybe as an app for Thanksgiving!

  14. Bakeca Incontri Cremona Author says:

    They look delicious! I can’t wait to try this recipe!

  15. Liz @ Southern Charm Author says:

    WOW. I HAVE to make these. They look and sound AMAZING. I’m wondering how I will be able to serve these and not eat them all myself 🙂

  16. Lana @ Never Enough Thyme Author says:

    Oh, my gracious! These look delicious. Love the bit of dill in the mix.

  17. Austin Dance Author says:

    yummmm these look delicious! I cannot wait to make them!

  18. Rachel Author says:

    These look so so delicious!
    Can’t wait to try them.

  19. Diane {Created by Diane} Author says:

    oh y goodness these look great. I want a whole plate full 🙂

  20. Michael Lange Ocala Author says:

    yummm cheese!

  21. flimflamsam Author says:

    oh you are making me so hungry. I need to make these.

  22. Cat Davis - Food Family Finds Author says:

    Oh goodness, those look absolutely wonderful!

  23. Pepe Author says:

    The cheese I used was a bit salty but this recipe is super easy and crazy good!

  24. Valerie Pegg Author says:

    Does anyone know the best kind of cheese to use? I am totally making these. Thanks! 🙂

  25. Roxana {A little bit of everything} Author says:

    I’m pretty sure this is what they serve in cheese Heaven! They sound to die for!

  26. Sook Author says:

    Wow… these little cheesy balls look so scrumptious!

  27. vavo Author says:

    i must taste them!

  28. Beka Author says:

    I tried making these and they melted in the oven…

    1. Ella-HomeCookingAdventure Author says:

      I am really sorry it didn't work out. The problem is the cheese. It is important to use a cheese that doesn't melt at heat. I used a local salty cheese mix of cow and buffalo cow. It can be fried without melting. As soon as I will have the chance I will try with cheddar to see how it behaves.  

    2. Ella-HomeCookingAdventure Author says:

      The cheese I used is called Halloumi.  Hope you can find it. 

  29. Looks delightful, will try very soon…I assume cheddar or emmantal would suffice(Both of which I adore) ?

    1. Ella-HomeCookingAdventure Author says:

      I haven't tried yet with cheddar or emmental cheese, the cheese must have a high melting point. I will try as soon as I have the chance with cheddar too. 

  30. Cory Author says:

    So I just made these using parmesan and ricotta salada. They turned out tasty, but I only ended up w/ 13! Not sure where I went wrong.

    1. Ella-HomeCookingAdventure Author says:

      Maybe you just made them bigger than I did.. I did pretty small ones.. no bigger than a medium walnut. But  that shouldn't be a problem as long as they were tasty 🙂

  31. vedette Author says:

    This looks so good. when my little sister saw this she freaked out. I cant wait to try this out.

  32. Dana Author says:

    Can these be made with white flour?

    1. Ella-HomeCookingAdventure Author says:

      Yes.. you can try with only white flour.. they probably won't be as puffy but they will still be very good. I said in some comments that if the cheese is not that hard you can also add semolina and white flour. Maybe you can add a little of baking powder if not using semolina. Hope it works for you. 

  33. Inkjet Cartridge Refilling Supplies Author says:

    Oh wow, those look so delicious!

  34. I tried making these with cheddar and parmesan, and it didn’t work at all. They didn’t puff and all melted together. I ended up using them as a soup topper, sort of half-crouton, half-dumpling.

    1. Ella-HomeCookingAdventure Author says:

      I'm sorry it didn't work for you. The type of cheese is very important for this recipe. The cheese I used is similar to halloumi cheese that has a higher melting point than other cheese. I didn't try using cheddar or parmesan yet, but probably these would go better if frying the balls instead of baking. If the cheese is too soft you may add some flour too not only semolina. 

  35. Pamsky68 Author says:

    Trying this now. It’s looking good and my home smells so yummy. I used a combination of Asiago and Parmesan cheese. 🙂

    1. Ella-HomeCookingAdventure Author says:

      That's great. I am glad you enjoyed these. Hope you try some other recipes too. 

  36. Pamsky68 Author says:

    Just tried them! Thanks for sharing, so good! Yes I will surely try more recipes! 🙂

  37. CJ at Food Stories Author says:

    OMG … Where has this recipe been all my life? 🙂

    1. Ella-HomeCookingAdventure Author says:

      Hehe – I really love these cheese balls – let me know if you try them what do you think.  Be careful what cheese you choose. 

  38. CJ at Food Stories Author says:

    What are your cheese recommendations? I have to make these 🙂

    1. Ella-HomeCookingAdventure Author says:

       

      It is important to use a cheese with a high melting point. I used a local salty cheese, mix of cow and buffalo cow. It can be fried without melting. Very similar to Halloumi cheese. 
  39. CJ at Food Stories Author says:

    I made this recipe with a mixture of grated romano, pecorino & parm. I didn’t modify anything and they came out very dry and grainy, kind of like hush puppies. What’s the texture supposed to be like?

    1. Ella-HomeCookingAdventure Author says:

      Sorry for this late answer. I am sorry this recipe didn't work soo good. They shouldn't be grainy nor too dry. A little bit dry maybe, as they are baked not fried but the texture should be somehow similar to cheese puffs except those holes in the middle. The interior is soft and holds well. Maybe you will try this with halloumi cheese, might work better. 

  40. Hannah t Author says:

    I made these about 15 mins ago and used cheddar! They look absolutely nothing like your perfect ones do in the picture, Infact the look a bit like coconut macaroons. But they taste fab!! My 14 month old is inhaling them! 🙂 thank you for this wonderful recipie!

  41. jj Author says:

    wow ! I cant wait to make this!! thank you

  42. Lisa Author says:

    Can these be made a day early and refrigerated overnight?

    1. Ella-HomeCookingAdventure Author says:

      Yes definitely, bake them a day before serving and keep them in the fridge, they will be good. 

  43. Mine just turned into flat discs – twice! What am I doing wrong!

    1. Ella-HomeCookingAdventure Author says:

      It is the cheese. It is important to be a cheese with a very high melting point.  The cheese I used is similar to halloumi cheese that has a higher melting point than others. You can see in comments what other types of cheese others used and worked. Hope this helps:) 

  44. Done Author says:

    If I use halomi cheese would it work ??

    1. Ella-HomeCookingAdventure Author says:

      Yes, it should work well. It is a hard cheese that keeps it's shape while cooking. Let me know how it turned for you.

  45. i have tried this, really amazing thanks.

  46. ItMannersAlot Author says:

    Mine came out as flat as cookies 🙁

    1. Ella-HomeCookingAdventure Author says:

      Yes, because of the cheese. You must try a hard cheese with a high melting point, like halloumi.

  47. Zuzana Author says:

    I love the ‘pao de queso’ but the same issue as to the others happened to me with the improperly chosen type of cheese. A pity, it might have been mentioned directly in the recipe. Next time, I’ll try better.

    1. Ella-HomeCookingAdventure Author says:

      I mentioned it needs to be a cheese with a high melting point.. like Halloumi.. I actually used a local cheese that is why couldn't mention exactly 

  48. Anastasia Author says:

    Pretty tasty and very easy to make. A perfect weeknight appetizer. I didn’t use semolina, so I used breadcrumbs and all purpose flour in equal measure. Don’t know if that significantly changed the taste

  49. Nelson Author says:

    can i make this recipe with 3 tablespoon of all purpose flour and cheddar cheese?

  50. surekha Author says:

    i made these for my LO’s 2nd B day. Its a big hit. thanks for sharing the recipe and saving many life’s like us in the kitchen.

  51. Tash Author says:

    Is there anything we can use instead of semi lean flour?
    It’s impossible to get where I live.

    1. Ella-HomeCookingAdventure Author says:

      Hi Tash.

      You can use flour.

  52. temple run 3 Author says:

    The food looked delicious and attractive, looking only wanted to try it.

  53. Pauline Author says:

    Can you use something other than semolina flour??? Need to be gluten free.

    1. Ella-HomeCookingAdventure Author says:

      havent't tried with oats.. or almond flour.. might work as well

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