Almost everybody loves cheese, no matter what form it’s in! That, of course, includes cheese balls, which are versatile and work wonders on any cheese tray.
Now, let’s say you got several cheese balls and you want to store one for another time, you’ll probably be asking yourself, “Can you freeze a cheese ball? Or will it just get ruined?”
This guide has the answer you need, so stick around.
Can You Freeze a Cheese Ball?
The short answer is yes! However, that comes with a few preparations that need to be adhered to so you can re-enjoy your cheese ball whenever you want to eat it again. Also, cheese sticks are similar and can be frozen.
That being said, the first thing to keep in mind is that after the thawing process later, the texture of the cheese itself can change, so be wary of the kind of cheese you’re freezing.
For example, you need to avoid using any kind of cheese that crumbles as it won’t be as good as a creamier variety of cheese. Cottage cheese would be better substituted for another for example.
Do not use cheese strings either in cheese balls.
Another thing to consider is that if the cheese ball is covered in any kind of nuts or seeds, they’ll get soggy when the time comes to thaw the ball. It would be best if you’d remove them to avoid that.
How Can I Freeze a Cheese Ball?
If you bought a cheese ball from the store and it’s already wrapped in plastic shrink-wrap, simply put it in the freezer as it is.
On the other hand, if it’s already out of the wrap or if it’s homemade, there are a few steps you’ll need to follow:
- Wrap the entire cheese ball tightly with a double layer of plastic wrap, preferably without the external nuts and seeds.
- Examine the wrapped ball and make sure there are no exposed spots.
- Put the ball inside a freezer-safe bag or box. If you don’t have any, wrap it in a sheet of aluminum.
- Place it in the freezer.
How Can I Thaw a Cheese Ball?
Cheese balls can stay in your freezer for up to a month, but it’s recommended that you thaw and eat them after a couple of weeks of freezing them.
Thawing a cheese ball is simple. You just need to follow some simple steps beforehand to get it ready to be served:
- The cheese ball can’t be thawed on the kitchen counter. Rather it needs to be put in the fridge first. This lowers the temperature slightly without completely melting the ball.
- It will remain inside the fridge overnight. Some even consider leaving it to thaw for two days before planning to use it.
- That plastic wrap should keep the moisture in and will be easily removable after thawing.
- Check if the ball has completely thawed to its core by sticking a knife or toothpick to see if there’s any kind of hard resistance.
- It should be left on a plate at room temperature for up to an hour on the day you intend to serve it to make it easy to spread.
- Finally, roll it in some seeds and/or nuts before serving for some extra crunch and enjoy!
How to Tell if Frozen Cheese Balls are Bad?
Check for the most obvious test – which is the smell. If it has a different aroma then it might be worth throwing out. You can also taste test it, just a tiny bit, and if it is sour or worse again discard the cheese ball.
Can You Freeze a Cheese Ball That Has Lost Its Shape
The short answer is yes, if the cheese ball is flat it should not be frozen.
Also, not all cheeses hold up well in frozen food.
Tips for Freezing a Cheese Ball
The best thing you can do to prepare a cheese ball for freezing is to remove any topping. This will help prevent the texture from changing slightly.
How Long Does a Cheese Ball Last In the Fridge
It varies on the ingredients and toppings but typically they will last in the fridge for 3-5 days.
Can you make a cheese ball in advance?
Yes, you can make them before a large family event. Keep the cheese balls in the fridge and top them just before serving and they will taste as if they were made fresh that day.