Description

This festive Everything Bagel Cheeseball is a creamy, tangy, and crunchy appetizer perfect for fall parties. Rolled in everything bagel seasoning and surrounded by veggie ‘rays,’ it’s easy to make ahead and always a crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

Scale

16 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
2 tbsp sour cream
2 tbsp chopped fresh chives (optional)
2 tsp Worcestershire sauce (omit for vegetarian)
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
Pinch of ground black pepper
1/3 cup everything bagel seasoning
1/4 cup chopped roasted sunflower seeds (optional)
1 cup baby carrots, halved lengthwise
1 cup yellow bell pepper strips
1 cup cucumber spears
1 cup pretzel sticks
Assorted crackers (optional, for serving)

Instructions

In a large mixing bowl, add softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar, and sour cream. Beat with a hand mixer on medium speed for 1-2 minutes until light and fluffy.
Sprinkle in chopped chives, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and a pinch of black pepper. Mix until well combined. Taste and adjust seasonings as desired.
Scrape down the sides of the bowl and gather the mixture into a mound. Transfer onto a sheet of plastic wrap and shape into a ball.
Wrap the cheeseball tightly and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or up to overnight) to firm up.
In a small bowl, mix everything bagel seasoning with chopped roasted sunflower seeds (if using).
Unwrap the chilled cheeseball and gently roll it in the seasoning mixture, pressing lightly to adhere. Ensure full coverage.
Place the coated cheeseball in the center of your platter. Arrange baby carrots, pepper strips, cucumber spears, and pretzel sticks around it in a radiating pattern. Add crackers if desired.
Serve immediately, or cover loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve. Best served slightly cool.

Notes

Let cream cheese soften at room temperature for easier mixing. For a vegetarian version, omit Worcestershire sauce. Make ahead for best flavor; coat with seasoning just before serving. Customize veggie rays and coating as desired. For gluten-free, serve with veggie dippers or gluten-free crackers.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Appetizer
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/12 of cheeseball with assorted dippers
Calories: 160
Sugar: 1
Sodium: 250
Fat: 12
Saturated Fat: 7
Carbohydrates: 4
Fiber: 1
Protein: 6

Keywords: cheeseball, everything bagel, fall appetizer, party snack, vegetarian, gluten-free, make ahead, cream cheese, easy appetizer