This classic Ham and Cheese Ball is made with cream cheese, cheddar cheese, green onions, and ham all covered in chopped pecans. It’s the perfect make-ahead no-bake appetizer for the holidays or game day parties.
If you’re looking for more cheese ball recipes, you can also try this Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball or Jalapeno Popper Cheese Ball.
Ham and Cheese Ball
This ham and cheese ball recipe is SO easy! It’s honestly one of the easiest appetizers ever, and it makes an appearance during every holiday season at my house. Cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, sliced green onions, chopped ham, and seasoning are all combined into a dippable ball and covered in chopped pecans.
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It’s a great appetizer recipe you can make in advance and pull out whenever you need it. This cheese ball goes great with buttery crackers, tortilla chips, or even a veggie tray. Plus, you will love how simple it is to prep—especially during the holidays!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfect for leftover ham. A delicious way to use up extra holiday ham, especially after Easter or Christmas.
- Crunchy on the outside, creamy on the inside. Toasted pecans add a buttery crunch that pairs perfectly with the cheddar, cream cheese, and savory ham.
- Easy to make ahead. Prepare the cheese ball up to three days in advance, then roll it in pecans just before serving.
Ham and Cheddar Cheese Ball Video Tutorial
Key Ingredients
- Cream Cheese – make sure your cream cheese is soft before trying ot mix with the rest of the ingredients.
- Deli Ham – diced deli ham or leftover holiday ham work great.
- Cheddar Cheese – I love the texture of mixing shredded cheese into a cheeseball. Any kind of cheddar or cheddar blend is great. For a little extra spice, you could also use pepper jack.
- Green Onions – sliced green onions add amazing flavor as well as color to the cheese ball. Chives would also work.
- Chopped Pecans – pecans are my favorite for this cheese ball because they are softer than other nuts. They will have the best flavor if you toast them so don’t skip this step! Walnuts or sliced almonds would also be good substitutes.
How to Soften Cream Cheese In the Microwave
If you forgot to set your cream cheese out so it could come up to room temperature, no worries. You can soften it in just a minute in the microwave.
- Unwrap the cream cheese.
- Place it flat on a paper plate. (You can add 2 cream cheese blocks at a time.)
- Put the cream cheese in the microwave for 10 seconds. Take the cream cheese out and test to see if it’s soft enough yet.
- Continue heating for 10 seconds at a time until it’s easily spreadable.
How to Make This Ham and Cheese Ball
- Mix the ingredients. Place cream cheese, ham, cheddar cheese, garlic salt, onion powder, green onions in a mixing bowl or stand mixer with the paddle attachment. Mix until well-combined.
- Shape. Using a spatula, shape into a round ball. (You can use your hands if you’d like but the rubber spatula works almost just as well and you don’t have to get your hands dirty.)
- Chill. Cover with plastic wrap and store in the fridge for a minimum of 1 hour, or up to 3 days.
- Serve. Pull the cheeseball from the fridge and roll in toasted nuts. Let it sit out at room temperature for at least 15 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! You can prepare this cheese ball up to 2–3 days in advance. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator. For the best texture, wait to roll it in the toasted pecans until just before serving so they stay crunchy.
Yes, although freezing can slightly change the texture of the cream cheese. Wrap the cheese ball tightly in plastic wrap, then place it in a freezer bag for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and roll in the toasted pecans just before serving.
Absolutely! You can leave off the pecans entirely or roll the cheese ball in chopped green onions, fresh parsley, shredded cheddar cheese, or crispy bacon bits instead.
Buttery crackers like Ritz, sturdy wheat crackers, pretzels, and toasted baguette slices are all delicious options. For something lighter, try serving it with celery sticks, cucumber slices, or bell pepper strips.
Yes! Leftover holiday ham works great in this recipe. Just chop it into small pieces so it mixes evenly with the cream cheese and cheddar. If the ham is especially moist, pat it dry with a paper towel before adding it.
Because this cheese ball contains cream cheese and ham, it shouldn’t sit at room temperature for more than 2 hours. If you’re serving it at a party, keep it refrigerated until you’re ready to eat and return any leftovers to the fridge promptly.
Storing Instructions
- Refrigerator: wrap well in plastic wrap and store in the fridge for up to 7 days.
- To make ahead: hold off on adding the nuts around the outside and wrap well with plastic. This cheese ball can be made up to 3 days in advance. Add the nuts just before serving.
- Freezer: without nuts, the cheeseball can be wrapped well with plastic wrap and frozen for up to 1 month. To thaw, transfer to the fridge overnight.
Ham and Cheddar Cheese Ball Recipe
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup pecans, toasted and chopped
- 16 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 cup ham, diced
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/3 cup green onions, sliced thin
Instructions
- Heat a skillet over medium heat and add the pecans. Toast until golden brown and fragrant, then remove from the heat and let cool. Set aside.
- Place the softened cream cheese in the bowl of a stand mixer and beat using the paddle attachment until creamy and smooth. Add the ham, cheddar cheese, garlic salt, onion powder, and green onions and mix to combine.
- Using a spatula, remove the cream cheese mixture from the bowl and shape into a round ball. Cover with plastic wrap and store in the fridge for at least 1 hour before serving, or up to 3 days ahead of time.
- When you are ready to serve, pull from the fridge and roll the cheese ball in the reserved toasted pecans. Let it temper at room temperature for at least 15 minutes before serving with your favorite buttery crackers, and veggies. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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Categories:
Appetizers, Cheese, Christmas, Easter, Gluten-Free, Holiday Favorites, Thanksgiving, Videos,
Delicious Cheese Ball..I used tavern ham thick deli cuts diced.. Rave Reviews!!
I only have like 4 people this year for Christmas but I still want to make this! Think it would be okay to half the recipe? Or would it just be too tiny to try form a ball? Thanks ????
I think half would be great! great idea!
I have a whole cheeseball leftover from a party. Can it be frozen for another time?
Just made this and added 3/4 tbsp Worcestershire sauce (tip from my boss) and it’s delicious! This was my first time ever making cheeseball. It’s Thanksgiving 2020 so we typically have a ton of people at my parents’ house and someone else always makes it. For a first timer this turned out great!
Great idea with the worcestershire sauce! Sounds like a yummy addition!