When I say this is the EASIEST appetizer you can make – I REALLLLLLLLLLY mean it. Like, no stress, no fancy techniques, just pure simplicity. With only three ingredients (yep, THREE), you can absolutely wow your friends, your family, or even that random neighbor who always “stops by” during your parties with these garlic cheese balls.
This recipe has been my saving grace more times than I can count. Tailgate? Boom. Girls’ night? Nailed it. Last-minute family dinner contribution? Handled. The true beauty of this recipe is that you probably already have everything you need sitting in your kitchen right now. And the best part? It takes literally five minutes of your precious time to prep. Five! That’s it.
In no time at all, you’ve got yourself an appetizer that looks like you spent way more effort than you actually did. Because honestly, who has time to stress over appetizers when there’s wine to pour and playlists to curate? 😉 So lets make my easy three ingredient garlic cheese balls!
Ingredients:
Frozen Dinner Rolls: I have used frozen dinner rolls & biscuits and they both work GREAT! By using store-bought you save so much time making the dough.
Shredded Mozzarella Cheese: The best surprise inside! By adding cheese into the middle of the rolls, you will get beautiful cheesy pull apart buns. You can use your favorite cheese, but I like using mozzarella to compliment the garlic flavor.
Garlic Butter: Garlic butter really makes everything so much better. I add garlic butter before and after I bake. You can use store-bought garlic butter or make it yourself.
Easy 3 Ingredient Garlic Cheese Balls Recipe (with Video)
Ingredients
- 12 thawed dinner rolls or 1 can biscuit dough
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 2 cloves garlic, minced or 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp black pepper
- Optional: marinara sauce for dipping
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare the Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier. If you don’t have parchment paper, you can lightly grease the baking sheet with cooking spray or a thin layer of butter.
- Roll Out the Dough: Lightly flour a clean surface to keep the dough from sticking. Roll out the dinner roll or biscuit dough to flatten it into a round shape about 1/4-inch thick. This step ensures the dough is evenly stretched, making it easier to wrap around the cheese.
- Add the Mozzarella Filling: Take a tablespoon of shredded mozzarella cheese and place it in the center of each flattened piece of dough. Be generous but not too much—overfilling can cause the cheese to ooze out during baking.
- Form the Dough Balls: Gently fold the edges of the dough over the cheese, pinching the edges together to completely seal it into a ball. Roll the dough between your hands to create a smooth, round shape. This step ensures the cheese stays locked inside as it melts.
- Prepare the Garlic Butter: In a small bowl, mix the melted butter with minced garlic, oregano, and black pepper. This creates a flavorful coating that will infuse your cheese balls with a savory, aromatic kick. If you’re short on time, store-bought garlic butter works too!
- Coat the Dough Balls: Dip each dough ball into the garlic butter mixture, ensuring it’s fully coated. This step adds flavor and helps create a golden, slightly crispy exterior during baking. Don’t skimp—this is where the magic happens!
- Arrange on the Baking Sheet: Place the coated garlic cheese balls on the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 1-2 inches of space between them. This spacing allows the dough to expand without sticking together.
- Bake Until Golden: Bake the garlic cheese balls in the preheated oven for 18-22 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and the dough is cooked through. Keep an eye on them during the last few minutes to prevent over-baking.
- Brush with Extra Garlic Butter: Remove the garlic cheese balls from the oven and, while they’re still warm, brush them with any remaining garlic butter. This adds an extra layer of buttery goodness and keeps the exterior shiny and soft.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve these garlic cheese balls hot for the best ooey-gooey cheese pull. Pair them with marinara sauce or your favorite dip for an irresistible appetizer or snack. Watch as they disappear from the plate—they’re always a crowd-pleaser!
Video
Nutrition
Garlic Cheese Balls Tips:
- If using biscuit dough, make sure to pinch the seams tightly to prevent any cheese from leaking out.
- For an extra cheesy surprise, tuck in a small piece of mozzarella string cheese instead of shredded mozzarella.
- Want a little extra crunch? Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top before baking.
Storage Instructions
- Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake the garlic cheese balls for 5-7 minutes until heated through.
- Air Fryer: Heat at 350°F for 3-4 minutes to maintain crispness.
- Microwave: If you’re in a hurry, heat them on a microwave-safe plate for 20-30 seconds. Keep in mind, the microwave won’t make them as crispy as the oven or air fryer.
More of my recipes
Do you LOVE Easy Appetizers?! Check out More of my Favs:The Easiest Cheesy Garlic Pull Apart Bread You’ll Ever Make
The Best Ever Pepperoni Pizza Pull Apart Hawaiian Rolls Recipe
Easy Meatball Sliders Hawaiian Rolls Recipe
Conclusion
And there you have it! The easiest, most crowd-pleasing appetizer ever. Whether you’re making these for game day, a holiday gathering, or just because you’re craving something cheesy and delicious, these garlic cheese balls are a total win.
Now it’s your turn! Try my garlic cheese balls out, and let me know how they turned out. Tag me on Instagram or TikTok @munchiesbymallory so I can see your creations. And don’t forget to share this recipe with your friends—they’ll thank you for introducing them to their new favorite snack! 😊
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