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Mini Fig and Date Cheese Ball Bites

Creamy, tangy, sweet, and a little garlicky, these bite sized cheese balls bring together feta, gouda, lemon, herbs, and dried fruit. Rolled in toasted nuts, they’re perfect for holiday spreads, wine nights, or a snackable addition to a cheese board.
Course Appetizer, Party Foods, Snack
Cuisine American, Fusion, Mediterranean
Keyword cheese balls, cheese bites, cheese board snack, cream cheese appetizer, feta appetizer, fig and date appetizer, holiday appetizers, make ahead appetizer, party appetizers, sweet savory appetizer
Prep Time 15 minutes
Servings 24 1-inch balls
Calories 135kcal
Author sunny

Equipment

  • 1 large mixing bowl
  • 1 rubber spatula or wooden spoon
  • 1 microplane or fine grater (for lemon zest)
  • knife and cutting board
  • small scoop or tablespoon
  • shallow bowl (for coating)
  • parchment-lined tray or plate
  • refrigerator

Ingredients

  • 8 oz. softened cream cheese
  • 8 oz. finely crumbled feta cheese
  • 4 oz. finely grated gouda
  • 2 tbsp. softened butter
  • 1 tsp. tomato paste (or 1 tbsp. finely chopped sundried tomatoes)
  • 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp. black pepper
  • 1/3 cup grated parmesan
  • 1 tbsp. minced garlic (about 3 cloves)
  • 2 tsp. olive oil
  • zest of one lemon
  • 4 finely chopped dates
  • 1 tbsp. finely chopped golden raisins
  • 1 tbsp. fig preserves
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
  • 1/2 tsp. dried oregano
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts
  • 1/4 cup lightly toasted chopped pine nuts

Instructions

  • prepare the cheese mixture. In a large bowl, combine the cream cheese, feta, gouda, and butter. Mix until smooth and evenly blended.
  • add the flavor base. Stir in the tomato paste (or sun dried tomatoes), salt, pepper, parmesan, garlic, olive oil, and lemon zest.
  • fold in the sweet and herbal elements. Add the chopped dates, golden raisins, fig preserves, parsley, and oregano. Mix until evenly distributed.
  • chill the mixture. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 30-45 minutes to make the mixture easier to shape.
  • prepare the coating. Combine the chopped wlanuts and pine nuts in a shallow bowl.
  • shape the cheese balls. Using a small scoop or spoon, form the chilled mixture into bite-sized balls (about 1 inch).
  • roll & coat. Roll each ball in the walnut and pine nut mixture until fully coated.
  • chill before serving. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving so the flavors settled and the texture firms up.
  • serving ideas. Serve with pita chips, toasted baguette slices, crackers, apple or pear slices, olives, roasted nuts, crisp white wine or sparkling apple punch.

Notes

Make Ahead. Can be prepared 1-2 days in advance and stored covered in the refrigerator.
Storage. Keeps 4 to 5 days refrigerated.