These Herbed Goat Cheese Balls are the easiest, prettiest appetizer to bring to any gathering: little rolled balls of tangy goat cheese tumbled in a confetti of fresh parsley, dill, chives, and basil, then drizzled with good olive oil and served with crostini. They come together in minutes, look absolutely stunning on a board, and the fresh herb coating makes every single bite ridiculously good. I first spotted them at a bakery in Venice Beach and have been obsessing ever since. If you're a goat cheese person like me, my Basil Whipped Goat Cheese and Heirloom Tomato Goat Cheese Salad are must-makes too, and these earn a permanent spot on my Summer Cheese Board.
Herbed Goat Cheese Balls at a Glance
- 🕒 Total Time: 15 minutes
- 👪 Servings: Makes about 12 balls (serves 6 to 8 as an appetizer)
- 🍝 Cuisine Type: American / Appetizer
- 🧂 Flavor Profile: Tangy, creamy goat cheese in a fresh herb coating of parsley, dill, chives, and basil, with grassy olive oil and a little red pepper heat
- 📖 Dietary Info: Vegetarian; contains dairy; gluten-free if served with crudités or GF crackers instead of crostini
- 📦 Storage Notes: Roll up to 2 days ahead and refrigerate airtight; add the olive oil and serve at room temperature; pull from the fridge 20-30 minutes before serving so the cheese softens
- ⭐Why You'll Love It: A 15-minute, no-cook appetizer that looks like you fussed. Tangy goat cheese rolled in a confetti of fresh herbs, perfect for a board, a picnic, or a party. Beyond easy and always the first thing to go.
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Why I love this Recipe
We all know I'm all about simple recipes for the most part. Things I can whip up in a moments notice and say look what I made - isn't it delicious. (so modest) These Herbed Goat Cheese Balls are exactly that. Beyond easy to make, perfect to pack up and take for a picnic, or serve up as an appetizer with a pile of crostini. Done and done. I first saw them a few months back at a new bakery in Venice Beach and I've been obsessing over them ever since. Clearly it was time to re-create them at home so we can all enjoy them for picnics in the park, backyard BBQ's or a quick snack when you have some leftover in your fridge. #sorrynotsorry
Ingredients
- 2 large logs goat cheese
- Fresh Parsley chopped
- Fresh Dill chopped
- Fresh Chives finely chopped
- Fresh Basil chopped
- ½ teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
- 1 cup Extra virgin olive oil
- Toasted crostini
Substitutions & Swaps
🧀 Cheese
- Goat cheese (called for) - Tangy and creamy; rolls into balls beautifully when cold
- Cream cheese plus a little goat cheese - Milder and even more rollable
- Boursin - Garlic and herbs built in; cut back on the added herbs
- Feta mashed with cream cheese - Saltier, briny twist
🌿 Herbs
- Parsley, dill, chives, basil (called for) - The fresh confetti coating
- Tarragon - Adds a subtle anise note
- Mint - Bright and surprising
- Everything bagel seasoning - For a savory, seedy coating instead of all herbs
🌶️ Heat & Extras
- Red pepper flakes (called for) - A little warmth against the tang
- Aleppo pepper - Milder, fruity heat
- Lemon zest - Brightens the whole thing
- Cracked black pepper and flaky salt - Simple, classic finish
🥖 For Serving
- Crostini (called for) - The classic vehicle
- Crackers or seedy crisps - Easy and sturdy
- Crudités (cucumber, endive, radish) - Keeps it gluten-free
- Drizzle of hot honey - Sweet-heat finish
🧀🌿🫒 Tips & Tricks for the Best Herbed Goat Cheese Balls
Tangy goat cheese in a fresh herb coating, the easiest stunner on the board
- Chill the goat cheese first. Cold cheese is firm enough to roll into clean balls; room-temp cheese smears and sticks.
- Use a small scoop. A cookie scoop or melon baller makes uniform balls fast and keeps your hands cleaner.
- Wet or oil your hands. A little water or oil on your palms stops the cheese from sticking as you roll.
- Chop the herbs fine and fresh. Finely minced herbs cling to the cheese and look like confetti; chop them just before rolling so they stay bright.
- Spread the herbs on a plate and roll. Tumble each ball through the herb mix, pressing gently so it coats all over.
- Roll in herbs the day you serve. The herbs dull a bit overnight, so for the brightest color, coat them the day of.
- Bring to room temperature to serve. Cold goat cheese is firm and muted; 20 to 30 minutes out softens it and wakes up the flavor.
- Finish with good olive oil. A grassy, peppery finishing oil right before serving pulls it all together.
- Add a little heat. A pinch of red pepper flakes in or on the herbs gives a gentle warmth that plays off the tang.
- Plate with something crunchy. Crostini, crackers, or crudités turn them into a grab-and-go bite.
FAQs
What are herbed goat cheese balls?
Herbed goat cheese balls are a simple no-cook appetizer made by rolling tangy goat cheese into small balls and coating them in a mix of fresh chopped herbs like parsley, dill, chives, and basil. They are usually finished with olive oil and served with crostini or crackers. They are a quick, pretty addition to any cheese board or party spread.
Can you make goat cheese balls ahead of time?
Yes, roll the balls up to 2 days ahead and keep them airtight in the fridge. For the brightest herb color, roll them in the herbs the day you are serving. Add the olive oil and bring them to room temperature right before serving.
How do you keep goat cheese from sticking when you roll it?
Start with cold goat cheese, which is firm and holds its shape, and lightly wet or oil your hands before rolling. A small cookie scoop helps portion clean, even balls. If the cheese gets too soft, pop it back in the fridge for a few minutes.
What do you serve with herbed goat cheese balls?
Crostini is the classic, but crackers, seedy crisps, and crudités like cucumber, endive, and radish all work great and keep it gluten-free. They are perfect on a cheese board or grazing spread. A drizzle of hot honey on top is a delicious finish.
Are herbed goat cheese balls gluten-free?
The cheese balls themselves are naturally gluten-free; just serve them with gluten-free crackers or fresh vegetables instead of crostini. Everything in the herb coating is gluten-free. They are an easy appetizer to make work for a mixed crowd.
Herbed Goat Cheese Balls
Ingredients
- 2 large logs goat cheese
- Fresh Parsley chopped
- Fresh Dill chopped
- Fresh Chives finely chopped
- Fresh Basil chopped
- ½ teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
- 1 cup Extra virgin olive oil
- Toasted crostini
Instructions
- Cut the logs of goat cheese into 8 pieces each. Roll them into balls and place into a medium baking dish. Sprinkle the fresh herbs and red pepper flakes on top of the cheese and add the olive oil until it covers about ½ of the goat cheese.
- Cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Rotate the cheese balls before serving so they are fully coated with the olive oil herb mixture.
- Serve with crostini, pita, crudite etc.
Notes
Nutrition Information (estimated)
Photo by Matt Armendariz / Food Styling by Adam Pearson / Recipe from What’s Gaby Cooking
Will try these