Description
This Christmas Fiesta Cheese Ball Ring is a fun, festive twist on a classic party cheese ball. Loaded with Tex-Mex flavors, colorful veggies, and crunchy tortilla chips, it looks like a holiday wreath but tastes like your favorite taco dip. It’s easy to make ahead, perfect for sharing, and guaranteed to disappear fast from any party table.
Ingredients
Scale
- Cheese Ball:
- 16 oz (450 g) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1 packet (about 1 oz) taco seasoning
- ½ cup green onions, finely chopped
- ½ cup red bell pepper, finely diced
- ½ cup black olives, chopped
- ½ cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
- Coating:
- 1 cup crushed tortilla chips (plain or lightly salted)
- For Serving:
- Tortilla chips
- Fresh veggie sticks (bell peppers, celery, cucumbers, carrots)
- Optional Dips for Center:
- Salsa
- Guacamole
- Sour cream
Instructions
- Mix the Base: In a large bowl, add the softened cream cheese. Beat with a hand mixer or sturdy spoon until smooth and creamy.
- Add the Flavor: Mix in the shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack, taco seasoning, green onions, red bell pepper, black olives, and cilantro. Stir until everything is evenly combined.
- Shape the Ring: Place a large piece of plastic wrap on your work surface. Spoon the cheese mixture onto it and shape into a thick ring (wreath shape), leaving an open center. Use your hands, through the plastic wrap, to smooth and form the ring.
- Chill: Wrap tightly in the plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or up to overnight, until firm and it holds its shape.
- Coat with Crunch: Place the crushed tortilla chips on a plate or shallow dish. Unwrap the chilled cheese ring and gently roll or press it into the chips until fully coated on all sides.
- Decorate (Optional but Festive!): Transfer the coated ring to your serving platter. Garnish with extra chopped cilantro, red bell pepper, or sliced green onions to give it a Christmas wreath look.
- Serve: Place a small bowl of salsa, guacamole, or sour cream in the center of the ring if desired. Serve with tortilla chips and fresh veggie sticks all around the platter.
Notes
- Soften cream cheese at room temperature for 30–45 minutes for easiest mixing.
- Taste the cheese mixture before shaping; you can add a pinch of salt, extra taco seasoning, or more cilantro if desired.
- If the mixture feels too soft to shape, chill it for 20–30 minutes, then form the ring and chill again.
- For a perfectly round center, you can wrap a small bowl or ramekin with plastic and form the ring around it, then remove it after chilling.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus 2 hours chilling time)
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Bake, Chilled
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex, Holiday
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1/10 of recipe
- Calories: Approximately 260
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 7 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
Keywords: Christmas cheese ball, holiday appetizer, cheese ball ring, fiesta cheese ball, Tex-Mex party dip, Christmas wreath appetizer