Easy Caramelized Onion Mini Cheese Balls Appetizer

These Easy Caramelized Onion Mini Cheese Balls are an easy and delightful appetizer!

With buttery caramelized onions, a variety of cheeses and crunchy almonds, these mini cheese balls are hard to resist.

If you like the flavours of french onion soup, you’re sure to love these mini cheese balls.

Just like my herb and walnut mini cheese balls, which is one of my favorite recipes for entertaining, these caramelized onion mini cheese balls are perfect for any gathering. They’re packed full of flavour and perfect as a bite-sized appetizer. The sweetness of the onion pairs so lovely with the saltiness and creaminess of the cheeses and crunch of the almonds.

why you’ll love these caramelized onion mini cheese balls

• Easy to make and then store in the fridge until ready to enjoy!
• They’re perfectly bite-sized making them the best small bites party appetizer.
• These are a fun take on a classic soup flavour making them a real crowd pleaser!
• All of the simple ingredients for this easy appetizer can be found at your local grocery store.
• They’re perfect appetizer bites that can be made ahead and served at a dinner party!

Ingredients needed to make these mini cheese balls

Onion: a sweet yellow onion is key to creating the flavorful sauce in this French onion chicken dinner recipe

Butter: butter is a must for getting the onions nice and caramelized

Balsamic vinegar:  I like to add a touch of balsamic vinegar to add a depth of flavour to the onions

Cheese: a combination of softened plain cream cheese, shredded Gruyere cheese and shredded parmesan cheese brings all the cheesy flavour to these caramelized onion mini cheese balls

Seasonings: a combination of garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, salt and pepper will season the mini cheese balls

Fresh herbs: fresh minced chives add a boost of flavour; I do not recommend substituting with dried chives

Almonds: finely chopped and toasted almonds provide a crunchy, nutty exterior to the mini cheese balls

How to make these caramelized onion mini cheese balls

Step 1: Make the caramelized onions: In a large oven-safe skillet, add the butter over medium heat. When the butter is melted, add the sliced yellow onions and 1 teaspoon salt and sugar. Stir to combine and cover and cook for 5 minutes, undisturbed. Then remove the lid and turn to medium-low heat. Cook onions, stirring occasionally (so they don’t burn), until deep golden brown and caramelized, about 20-30 minutes.

Step 2: To a bowl add softened cream cheese, shredded cheese (gruyere and parmesan), garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper and fresh minced chives. Mix well to combine. Put the cheese mixture in the fridge for 10 minutes to firm up.

Step 3: Then scoop out 12-14 heaping tablespoons (about the size of a small cookie scoop) of the cheese mixture. Form each heaping tablespoon of the cream cheese mixture into a cheese ball with your hands (wet your hands a bit when rolling if the mixture is sticking too much).

Step 4: Spread the toasted chopped almonds on a plate and roll balls in the almonds. Place on a plate or serving tray and let set in the fridge for 30 minutes before serving. Or store in the fridge in an airtight container lined with parchment paper until ready to serve later. (Make these up to one day in advance and take out 1/2 hour before serving).

Step 5: Serve with your favourite crackers, baguette slices, pita chips, pretzels or wavy potato chips and enjoy!

Expert tips for making these caramelized onion mini cheese balls

• Make the balsamic caramelized onions one day ahead of time and store in an airtight container in the fridge. Remove from the fridge and follow the rest of the instructions to make the mini cheese balls.
• If you don’t have time to soften the cream cheese, use a couple tablespoons of warm milk to help make it a an easier consistency to mix. Alternatively, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to whip the cream cheese into a more workable texture.
• Make these an even more fun appetizer by inserting pretzel sticks or crackers in the center of the mini cheese balls; this makes it even easier for guests to pickup the bite-sized cheese balls from the platter!
• You can even serve these mini cheese balls with vegetables too and make a large ‘cheese plate’ to serve a bigger crowd.
• Make these mini cheese balls into one large cheese ball if desired! Once the base cheese mixture is mixed together, form the mixture into a ball. Roll the cheeseball in the toasted almonds and wrap in plastic wrap. Place the cheeseball into the fridge again for at least 15 minutes or until ready to serve (up to one day).

Common questions

Can I make these mini cheese balls ahead of time?
YES. If making them for a holiday party or get-together I’d recommend making only one day ahead so they have the most fresh flavours when serving. If you have leftovers, store them in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

Can I use another type of onion in this cheese ball recipe?
The type of onion matters – I do not recommend using white onions or red onions; they will not caramelize like yellow / sweet onions.

Are there any other cheeses I can use in this appetizer?
YES! You could substitute the Gruyere cheese with an old / sharp cheddar or white cheddar cheese.

Is there a substitute for almonds?
Different coatings that can be used instead of almonds are chopped walnuts, pecans or toasted breadcrumbs.

How to store these mini cheese balls

These mini cheese balls can be store for up to a week in the fridge in an airtight container or wrapped tightly with plastic wrap; however, if making them for a party I’d recommend making only one day ahead so they have the most fresh flavours when serving.

More delicious cheesy recipes to make from the blog

Festive Holiday Cranberry Walnut Gouda Cheese Ball

Easy Burrata Bread Appetizer with Roasted Tomatoes

Cheesy Baked Pesto and Sun-Dried Tomato Dip