A delicious cheese ball inspired by everyone’s favorite food - pepperoni pizza. Filled with all the flavors you’d expect, this appetizer is easy to make and even has a delicious crispy coating that tastes just like the pepperoni you’d find sitting on top your pizza.
COOK + BAKE | Updated January 27, 2026
COOK + BAKE | Updated January 27, 2026
Cheese balls are perhaps the ideal appetizer to make for guests.
The flavors can be easily customized based on whatever you might be hungry for at the time. A variety of different spices and herbs can be combined with different cheeses and other ingredients like bacon, nuts, and sun-dried tomatoes to give you an endless number of options.
While premade mixes can be pricey to buy, mixing your own blend of ingredients make cheese balls and cheese logs an economical snack to serve.
And best of all, cheese balls are incredibly easy to make and take almost no time at all to prepare, aside from an hour spent in the refrigerator chilling.
In this post, you’ll learn how to make a cheese ball inspired by a food loved by many…..pepperoni pizza. It incorporates all the flavors you’d expect with tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, Italian spices, and best of all, that crispy pepperoni with a flavor you only get when it is baked on a pizza.
Read on to find out what you need and tips for making this delicious treat.
Tips for Making Cheese Balls
Skip the Pre-Shredded Cheese
While you can buy bagged cheese at the store, the best flavor and texture comes from shredding blocks of cheese yourself. It is easy to do with a kitchen grater or food processor and is worth the few moments of your time.
Use Room Temperature Cream Cheese
It is important for your cream cheese to be softened so that it can be easily whipped into a smooth and creamy base for your ingredients. To quickly bring the cream cheese to room temperature, cut it into smaller chunks and leave it on the counter for about an hour before you’re ready to make your recipe.
Whip the Cream Cheese
Using an electric hand mixer to whip the cream cheese before adding your spices, cheese, and other ingredients gives your cheese ball a better texture making it easy to spread even straight from the refrigerator. While you can mix everything together by hand, it is a beneficial extra step if you have a mixer.
Chilling Is Important
Cheese balls need to be placed into the refrigerator after mixing the ingredients into the cream cheese and forming your ball so that it becomes firm. Otherwise, the cheese ball will be too soft to roll in whatever coating you’ve chosen.
This chill time also helps the flavors to come together and intensify.
Cheese Balls Don't Have to Be Round
Although they are normally rolled into a ball, you can instead form the cream cheese mixture into a log shape.
I actually love this idea when serving the appetizer to a crowd, because it is easy for everyone to cut off a slice, getting a nice amount of the cream cheese mixture and coating.
What You'll Need
For your convenience, a full ingredients list, directions for making this pepperoni pizza cheese ball, and a printable recipe option appear further down in this article. Here is a brief overview of what you'll be needing.
- Sliced Pepperoni: You'll be frying this to get it nice and crispy, just like you enjoy on your favorite pizza.
- Cream Cheese: I prefer the full-fat variety.
- Garlic Powder
- Italian Seasoning: You can also substitute oregano.
- Shredded Mozzarella Cheese: The best flavor and freshness comes from shredding your own block cheese, but pre-shredded mozzarella will work, too.
- Grated Parmesan Cheese
- Sundried Tomatoes: Look for the dried variety, not the version bottled in olive oil.
How to Make a Pepperoni Pizza Cheese Ball
Now that you have all the ingredients ready, it is time to put them together to make your appetizer.
STEP 1: Begin by placing the pepperoni in a single layer across the bottom of a frying pan or cast iron skillet and cook on medium-low until crispy. Set on paper towel to drain and allow to cool before crumbling into bits.
STEP 2: Whip softened cream cheese with a handheld mixer to a smooth, creamy texture free of any lumps, about one minute.
STEP 3: Season with garlic powder and Italian seasoning and mix with a silicone spatula or spoon to combine. Feel free to add more or less if you’d prefer.
STEP 4: Fold in the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, about 1 Tablespoon of the crumbled pepperoni and chopped sundried tomatoes.
STEP 5: Wrap the cream cheese mixture tightly in plastic wrap and form into a ball. Refrigerate for at least an hour until firm.
STEP 6: When the cheese ball is set, roll it over a plate filled with the remaining crumbled pepperoni and chill until just before you are ready to serve.
What to Serve with a Pizza Cheese Ball
Serve this appetizer with anything that would pair well with a pizza flavor. Thin breadsticks, crackers, (like these olive oil flatbread crackers), crostini, veggie sticks, and pretzels.
Remember to remove your cheese ball from the refrigerator about 10 minutes before serving so that it is able to be spread easily.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions that have been asked about making cheese balls. If you don’t see your question answered here, feel free to send me an email and I’ll be happy to help.
How Long Will the Cheese Ball Last?
Cheese balls are best eaten within seven days, but if you’ve used fresh ingredients, you may be able to enjoy it for up to two weeks. Be sure to store any leftovers in an airtight container.
Can This Cheese Ball Be Made In Advance?
Cheese balls taste their best when prepared ahead of time. I always like to make mine the evening before I’ll need it so that there is time for the flavors to intensify.
They last really well for at least one week in the refrigerator, so if you are trying to get party preparations done early, this is an appetizer that can be made well in advance.
Can a Cheese Ball Be Frozen?
Some claim that cheese balls freeze well, but I don’t personally recommend it. The texture of cream cheese changes when it has been frozen, and I’d be afraid that the cheese ball won’t be the same after having been in the freezer.
Whether your making it for an upcoming Super Bowl party, holiday get-together, or just want a delicious evening snack, this cheese ball filled with your favorite pizza flavors is sure to be a hit.
More Recipes You Might Enjoy
Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball - Freshly cooked bacon, Hidden Valley Ranch seasoning, and cheddar cheese.
Crispy Buffalo Chicken Wings
Crock-Pot Cocktail Dogs - Lit'l Smokies cooked in a flavorful ketchup and grape jelly sauce.
Mild Buffalo Chicken Dip - All the flavor without the heat.
Crispy Homemade Potato Chips
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Pizza Cheese Ball Recipe
A blend of your favorite pizza flavors wrapped in cream cheese.
PRINT RECIPE
INGREDIENTS
- 40-50 slices of pepperoni
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 Tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
INSTRUCTIONS
STEP 1: Place the pepperoni in a single layer across the bottom of a frying pan or cast iron skillet and cook on medium-low until crispy. Set on a paper towel to drain and allow to cool before crumbling into bits.
STEP 2: Whip cream cheese with a hand mixer for about 1 minute to a smooth, creamy texture free of any lumps.
STEP 3: Season with garlic powder and Italian seasoning and mix with a silicone spatula or spoon to combine. Feel free to add more or less seasoning if you'd prefer.
STEP 4: Fold in the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, the sun-dried tomatoes, and about 1 Tablespoon of the crumbled pepperoni.
STEP 5: Wrap the cream cheese mixture in plastic wrap and form into a ball. Refrigerate for at least one hour until cream cheese is firm.
STEP 6: When the cheese ball is set, roll it over a plate filled with the remaining crumbled pepperoni and chill until just before you are ready to serve.