This Olive Cheese Ball is a flavorful update on a classic party favorite. Cream cheese, sharp cheddar, grated parmesan, and chopped olives are blended with seasonings, formed into a ball, then rolled in toasted pecans, fresh parsley, and more chopped olives for a salty, savory appetizer everyone will love.
Though cheese balls feel a bit retro, they’ve come back as one of the easiest crowd-pleasing appetizers to serve at parties, holiday gatherings, and casual get-togethers. This olive cheese ball puts olives front and center, adding briny complexity to the familiar cheesy base.
If you’re an olive fan, this recipe is a nice departure from simply serving olives on a dish. The chopped olives in the cheese mixture and again in the coating give each bite bursts of bright, salty flavor that pair beautifully with the rich cheeses and crunchy pecans.
Olive Cheese Ball Ingredients
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cream cheese
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Worcestershire sauce
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sharp cheddar cheese
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green or black olives
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grated parmesan
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green onions
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garlic powder
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onion powder
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black pepper
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parsley
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toasted pecans
How to Make an Olive Cheese Ball
This cheese ball is simple to prepare. Follow these steps and a few helpful tips to get great texture and flavor.
- Use a food processor, stand mixer, or a large bowl to blend softened cream cheese with shredded cheddar, grated parmesan, chopped olives, Worcestershire sauce, green onions, and seasonings. Room-temperature cream cheese blends most smoothly.
- Place a sheet of plastic wrap on the counter. Lightly spray clean hands with nonstick cooking spray, then shape the mixture into a compact ball.
- Set the ball on the plastic wrap, gather the edges, and press to refine the shape. Tightly wrap and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight to firm up.
- When ready to serve, stir together the coating—finely chopped toasted pecans, diced parsley, and chopped olives—on a shallow plate.
- Unwrap the chilled cheese ball and roll it in the coating, gently pressing the toppings into the surface so they adhere evenly.
- Serve with crackers, crostini, or toast rounds and enjoy.
Cheese Ball Tips & Tricks
- Swap olives to suit your preference: green, black, Kalamata, or a mix. The recipe calls for about 3/4 cup chopped olives, but you can adjust to taste.
- If you forget to bring cream cheese to room temperature, soften it in the microwave for 12–15 seconds in short bursts.
- If coating with nuts, wait to chill after coating—coat the ball about 20 minutes before serving so the nuts stay crunchy.
- To firm a soft cheese ball, simply return it to the refrigerator for additional chilling.
- You can make the cheese ball up to a week in advance as long as it’s stored uncoated in an airtight container; add the toasted pecans and other coatings just before serving for best texture.
How long do homemade cheese balls last?
Stored in an airtight container, an uncoated cheese ball keeps for up to one week in the refrigerator. I recommend wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap and placing it inside a sealed container to preserve freshness.
Olive Cheese Ball Recipe Card
Olive Cheese Ball
Ingredients
For the Cheese Ball
- 2 8-ounce packages cream cheese (softened, room temperature)
- 3/4 cup green olives (or black olives, chopped)
- 1 cup sharp cheddar, shredded
- 1/3 cup parmesan, grated
- 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
For the Coating
- 1 cup pecans, toasted and finely chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, diced
- 1/4 cup green olives, finely chopped
Instructions
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Combine cream cheese, shredded cheddar, grated parmesan, chopped olives, Worcestershire sauce, chopped green onions, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper in a food processor, stand mixer, or large bowl until well mixed.
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Spritz clean hands with nonstick cooking spray and shape the mixture into a ball.
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Place the ball on plastic wrap, wrap tightly, and press to refine the shape.
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Refrigerate at least 8 hours to firm up.
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Mix the coating ingredients (toasted pecans, parsley, and chopped olives) in a shallow dish.
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Unwrap the chilled cheese ball and roll it in the coating, pressing gently so the toppings adhere.
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Serve with crackers, crostini, or toast rounds.
More Easy Party Appetizers
If you enjoy this cheese ball, try other easy appetizers like baked dips or skewers for your next gathering. This olive cheese ball is a great addition to any appetizer spread.
I hope you’ll give this Olive Cheese Ball a try next time you want a savory twist on a traditional cheddar cheese ball. If you make it, consider leaving a review to help others find this recipe.