Can You Freeze a Cheeseball? How And Why To Do It (2024)

Ever wondered if you can freeze a cheeseball? The answer is yes. Freezing a cheeseball is a great way to have a delicious appetizer on hand when unexpected guests arrive or just to prep for a party ahead of time.

Read on for the benefits of freezing a cheeseball and how to prepare a cheeseball for freezing. I'll tell you how long can you freeze it along with tips for making a cheeseball ahead of time.

I've also included the length of time you can keep your prepared boule de fromage in the fridge in case you prefer to do that. And if you're looking for a tried and true cheeseball recipe, here is my Hedgehog Cheeseball recipe.

Can You Freeze a Cheeseball?

The answer is yes, you can. Freezing a cheeseball works great.

Thanks to the cream cheese, classic cheeseballs keep a good texture through freezing and thawing. Any dried herbs and spices are fine. The only time it would not be advisable to freeze your cheese ball is when it contains fresh fruit or veggies. These will get watery when frozen and thawed, which will affect the consistency of your ball.

If the fresh fruit or veggies are a garnish on the outside (like the photo below), you can simply add them on after thawing. Any nut garnishes are better added after thawing too, though nuts will survive the freeze decently.

Cheeseballs will maintain their flavor and texture even after freezing. The freezing process will not affect the taste or texture. This means that you can thaw the cheeseball and have it taste just as delicious as when it was first made.

More Make-Ahead Appetizers

Just a few of my favorite make-ahead appetizers are Shrimp Salad Rolls, Spicy Jalapeno Pickled Eggs, Caramelized Onion and Blue Cheese Dip and Mexican Tuna Ceviche.

The Benefits of Freezing

Freezing a cheeseball is a great way to save time and money. You can make a large batch of cheeseballs ahead of time and store them in the freezer. Buying in bulk saves money and you can also make them when ingredients are on sale.

Cheeseballs are a popular party food and crowd pleaser. Keeping one in the freezer means you're always ready for unexpected company or a quick appetizer to bring to a potluck. You'll also save yourself time and stress when you need to serve or bring a snack.

Finally, freezing cheeseballs is a great way to use up leftovers. If you have leftover cheese or other ingredients from making a cheeseball, you can store them in the freezer and use them for future cheeseballs. This is a great way to reduce food waste.

How to Freeze And Prevent Freezer Burn

To freeze a cheeseball, be sure to prepare it correctly. The first step is to mix together all of the ingredients including the cheese, herbs, spices, and other ingredients. Once the ingredients are mixed together, shape the mixture into a ball with your hands or a spoon.

Once the cheeseball is shaped, wrap it snugly in plastic wrap to keep it from drying out. Next, wrap the cheeseball in aluminum foil to keep it from absorbing any odors or flavors from other foods in your freezer.

Finally, place the wrapped cheeseball in an airtight container or bag. This will keep the cheeseball from getting freezer burn and is the best way to preserve the flavor and texture.

Top Tip

Instead of rolling your cheese mixture into a ball, you can pack it into a dish (as shown below) or half pint mason jar and call it cheese pate or cheese dip. Freeze as above, then thaw and serve with a knife and slices of toasted baguette.

What Ingredients Are Used

Cheeseballs are typically made with a variety of different ingredients. The most common ingredients include cream cheese, cheddar cheese, herbs, spices, and other ingredients such as nuts and dried fruit.

Cream cheese is the base of the cheeseball. It helps to bind the other ingredients together and gives the cheeseball its creamy texture. Cheddar cheese adds flavor and is often the second main ingredient in the cheeseball. Herbs and spices add even more flavor to the cheeseball and give the cheeseball it's real character. The other ingredients, such as nuts and dried fruit add extra creative and tasty twists.

How Long Can You Freeze a Cheeseball?

Once you’ve prepared your cheeseball for freezing, write the date on the foil in permanent marker. You can store it for up to 3 months for optimal freshness and flavor.

It’s important to note that you should not store the ball in the freezer for longer than 3 months. After this time, the flavor and texture of the cheeseball will start to degrade.

How To Thaw

Thaw your cheeseball in the fridge for 6 hours or overnight, keeping it wrapped in the foil and plastic wrap. Once ready to serve, take it out and let it come to room temperature for 30 minutes or so. Place it on a platter and add any garnishes and bread or crackers.

How Long Can You Keep a Cheeseball in the Fridge?

If you’re planning on making a cheeseball you may prefer to store it in the fridge. You can store a cheeseball in the fridge for up to 5 days. After this time, the cheeseball may start to degrade in flavor and texture.

If there are any fresh herbs, fruit or vegetables in the cheeseball, you should not keep it longer than 5 days. Made entirely with cheeses and dried herbs, it should be safely up to 10 days though it may start to dry out and lose flavor if kept that long.

When To Serve

Cheeseballs are a popular party food because they can stretch to feed many guests. They are right at home at baby showers, game day parties, Christmas and New Years parties, and more. Cheeseballs are an easy appetizer that makes a great centerpiece and is always a crowd pleaser.

Thanks for reading along, I hope I managed to answer all your questions and offer helpful inspiration.

Wrapped and sealed well before freezing it, and thawed slowly in it's wrapper, the cheeseball is a great make-ahead appetizer. Go ahead and give it a try!