4.3 from 72 votes
Cheese Olive Balls - Halloween Party Appetizers
Little cheese ball puffs stuffed with manzanilla olives -- great for Halloween, or cover the whole olive in cheese pastry for a delicious hot appetizer for any occasion. Based on a recipe by Betty Crocker.
Prep Time
30 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Additional Time
1 hr
Total Time
50 mins
Servings: 24
Calories: 149 kcal
Course:
Appetizer
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper or more if you like heat
- 3 cups finely grated shredded cheddar cheese not the packaged pre-shredded kind.
- ¾ cup melted butter
- 48-60 small pimento stuffed manzanilla olives (can use kalamata, too)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, mustard and cayenne pepper. Whisk to combine. Add the cheddar cheese and stir to coat the cheese.
- Make a well in the center of the cheese mixture and add the melted butter. Use a wooden spoon to combine the flour, cheese, butter mixture. The mixture will become harder to stir and that's when you use your hands to fully combine the cheese dough.
- Drain the olives and pat dry with a paper towel.
- Scoop 1 teaspoon of dough and shape it around the olive, taking care to allow the pimento and part of the olive to show through the dough. Transfer to a baking sheet. Continue to form "eyeballs" with the rest of the dough and olives.
- Refrigerate for one hour before baking. While the olives chill, preheat the oven to 400°. Bake the cheese olive bites for 15-20 minutes or until golden and puffy. Transfer to a platter and serve.
Cup of Yum
MAKE AHEAD AND FREEZER DIRECTIONS:
- Can be made ahead to this point and frozen, not touching in a single layer for two hours or until solid. Transfer to a freezer bag and keep frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw before baking, using the baking instructions above.
Nutrition Information
Calories
149kcal
(7%)
Carbohydrates
8g
(3%)
Protein
4g
(8%)
Fat
10g
(15%)
Saturated Fat
6g
(30%)
Cholesterol
30mg
(10%)
Sodium
169mg
(7%)
Potassium
26mg
(1%)
Vitamin A
330IU
(7%)
Calcium
106mg
(11%)
Iron
0.6mg
(3%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 24Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 149
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 149kcal | 7% |
| Carbohydrates | 8g | 3% |
| Protein | 4g | 8% |
| Fat | 10g | 15% |
| Saturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Cholesterol | 30mg | 10% |
| Sodium | 169mg | 7% |
| Potassium | 26mg | 1% |
| Vitamin A | 330IU | 7% |
| Calcium | 106mg | 11% |
| Iron | 0.6mg | 3% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.