Garlic Herb Cheese Ball
Roll up your sleeves for the ultimate crowd-pleasing appetizer: our Garlic Herb Cheese Ball, a retro-inspired stunner that’s equal parts nostalgic and next-level delicious! Cream cheese mingles with sharp Parmesan and a vibrant explosion of fresh herbs—parsley, chives, dill, and oregano—amped up by garlic and onion powders, then rolled in crunchy pecans for that irresistible texture.
Cheese balls are officially back and cooler than ever! We grew up watching them steal the show at 60s and 70s cocktail parties (usually perched next to the fondue pot), but today’s versions are next-level delicious with endless sweet and savory flavors. They’re the ultimate holiday and game-day MVP.
Our Garlic Herb Cheese Ball is pure retro charm with a modern glow-up: creamy, garlicky, loaded with fresh herbs and Parmesan, then rolled in crunchy pecans. It’s nostalgia you can spread on a cracker—perfect solo with your favorite crisp breads or reigning supreme in the center of a loaded charcuterie board. One bite and you’re time-traveling… straight to flavor heaven.
This post contains affiliate links which means if you make a purchase we might receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Whip up our ridiculously easy Garlic Herb Cheese Ball: a creamy dream of two cheeses, loads of fresh herbs, and a crunchy pecan jacket that screams “party.” Ready in about 20 minutes (plus a little chill time), it’s the low-effort, high-reward appetizer you’ll make on repeat.
Whether it’s game day, New Year’s Eve, Christmas Eve grazing, or just “I deserve cheese” o’clock, this beauty shines solo with crackers or steals the spotlight on a loaded charcuterie board. Pair it with crostini, veggies, pretzels—whatever you’ve got—and watch it disappear faster than the last slice of pie. Your guests will beg for the recipe; lucky for them, it’s now yours to share (or gatekeep). Let’s roll!
What to serve with this Garlic Herb Cheeseball:
- Crackers – Ritz Crackers, Club Crackers, Entertainment Variety Crackers or even Wheat Thins or Triscuits
- Crunchy Bread Sticks
- Pretzels
- Pretzel Crisps
- Veggies like carrot sticks, celery sticks or sweet pepper slices
- Crostini (sliced bagel and then toast or grill the slices)
- Town House Pita Chips
- Pear and Apple Slices
Garlic and Herb Cheese Ball Recipe:
Ingredients:
- 2- 8 ounce packages cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup shredded parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley
- 2 tablespoons fresh chives
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill
- 2 tablespoons fresh oregano
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 cup finely chopped pecans
Equipment Needed:
- Mixing Bowl
- Plastic Wrap
- Herb Scissors, optional
- Charcuterie Tray or Serving Plate
🥣 Recipe Tips
- Room-temp cream cheese is non-negotiable – Let it sit out for at least 30–45 minutes before mixing. Cold cream cheese = lumps and frustration. Soft cream cheese = silky, dreamy, one-bowl perfection that mixes in seconds.
- Toast the pecans (trust me) – Toss the chopped pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3–4 minutes until fragrant and golden. The warm, nutty flavor takes the coating from good to “I-can’t-stop-eating-this” level, and they stick to the cheese ball way better too.
- Make-ahead magic – Shape the ball, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate up to 5 days (or freeze up to a month!). Let it sit at room temp for 20–30 minutes before rolling in pecans and serving so it’s perfectly spreadable. Bonus: the flavors get even better after a day or two of chilling. Holiday prep just got a whole lot easier!
How to make this Garlic Herb Cheese Ball:
Grab your herb scissors (or a sharp knife) and finely chop 2 tablespoons each of fresh parsley, chives, dill, and oregano. Toss them into a medium bowl along with the softened cream cheese and grated Parmesan. Sprinkle in the garlic powder and onion powder, then mix everything like you mean it—keep stirring until the herbs are evenly distributed and the mixture is smooth, creamy, and smells like pure heaven.
Scoop the mixture onto a sheet of plastic wrap, pull it together, and gently shape it into a smooth ball (no stress, it doesn’t have to be perfect). Wrap it up tight like you’re tucking it in for a nap, then pop it in the fridge for at least 1 hour (overnight is even better). Chilling lets the flavors get cozy and makes it firm enough to roll in pecans without turning into a hot mess.
Once the cheese ball is nicely chilled and firm, unwrap it and roll it around in a pile of chopped pecans until every inch is covered in that glorious crunchy coat. Press gently so the nuts stick like they mean it—no bald spots allowed! Your masterpiece is now ready to steal the show.
Serve right away or pop it back in the fridge until party time.
We love plunking this beauty in the center of a big charcuterie board surrounded by an assortment of crackers, crostini, crisp veggies, and a couple of cute cheese knives. It’s guaranteed to be the first thing people attack and the last thing they stop talking about. Dig in!
There you have it: a creamy, garlicky, herb-packed cheese ball that looks impressive, tastes like pure comfort, and comes together with almost zero effort. Roll it, chill it, set it out with crackers, and watch it disappear faster than you can say “Happy Holidays!” Make one (or three) now, stash them in the fridge, and thank yourself later when you’ve got the easiest, most-loved appetizer on the table. Your guests are going to beg for this recipe—luckily, it’s now yours to share (or keep secret). Enjoy every cheesy bite!
3 delicious twists on this classic Garlic Herb Cheese Ball
- Cranberry-Pistachio Holiday Glow-Up
Skip the herbs and add ⅓ cup finely chopped dried cranberries + ½ tsp orange zest to the cream cheese mixture. Swap the pecan coating for chopped pistachios mixed with a little extra dried cranberry. It’s festive red-and-green on the outside, tangy-sweet on the inside, and screams Christmas charcuterie board. - Spicy Chipotle Bacon Ranch
Stir in ½ cup crumbled crispy bacon, 1–2 tsp chipotle powder (or 1 Tbsp chopped chipotles in adobo), and 1 Tbsp dry ranch seasoning. Roll the ball in more crumbled bacon + sliced green onions. Serve with pretzels or Fritos—this one disappears in about 4.2 seconds at game-day parties. - Everything Bagel Cheese Ball
Keep the garlic powder but ditch the herbs. Add 2 Tbsp finely minced chives to the mix. Coat the outside generously with everything-bagel seasoning (store-bought or homemade). Serve with bagel chips or mini bagels sliced into rounds for the ultimate brunch/party mash-up that tastes exactly like your favorite bagel order, minus the line.
All Three use the same base (cream cheese+Parmesan+seasonings), shape and chill the same way, and can be prepped days ahead.
🥣 Recipe
Equipment
- Herb Scissors optional
- Charcuterie Tray Serving Plate
- Cheese Knives optional
Ingredients
- 2 8 ounce packages cream cheese softened
- ½ cup shredded parmesan cheese
- 2 Tablespoons fresh parsley
- 2 Tablespoons fresh chives
- 2 Tablespoons fresh dill
- 2 Tablespoons fresh oregano
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 cup pecans finely chopped
Instructions
- Grab your herb scissors (or a sharp knife) and finely chop 2 tablespoons each of fresh parsley, chives, dill, and oregano. Toss them into a medium bowl along with the softened cream cheese and grated Parmesan. Sprinkle in the garlic powder and onion powder, then mix everything like you mean it—keep stirring until the herbs are evenly distributed and the mixture is smooth, creamy, and smells like pure heaven.
- Scoop the mixture onto a sheet of plastic wrap, pull it together, and gently shape it into a smooth ball (no stress, it doesn’t have to be perfect). Wrap it up tight like you’re tucking it in for a nap, then pop it in the fridge for at least 1 hour (overnight is even better). Chilling lets the flavors get cozy and makes it firm enough to roll in pecans without turning into a hot mess.
- Once the cheese ball is nicely chilled and firm, unwrap it and roll it around in a pile of chopped pecans until every inch is covered in that glorious crunchy coat. Press gently so the nuts stick like they mean it—no bald spots allowed! Your masterpiece is now ready to steal the show.
- Once the cheese ball is nicely chilled and firm, unwrap it and roll it around in a pile of chopped pecans until every inch is covered in that glorious crunchy coat. Press gently so the nuts stick like they mean it—no bald spots allowed! Your masterpiece is now ready to steal the show.
Nutrition
Click HERE to save Garlic Herb Cheese Ball Recipe to Pinterest
