Derby Party Olive Cheese Balls

Savory cheddar dough bites filled with green olives, baked until golden and served on skewers for easy party fare.

# Ingredient List:

→ Cheese Dough

01 - 1 cup (120 g) all-purpose flour

02 - 2 cups (200 g) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

03 - 1/2 cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened

04 - 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)

05 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika

06 - 1/4 tsp salt

→ Filling

07 - 24 large green olives, pitted (such as Spanish Manzanilla)

→ Assembly

08 - 24 appetizer-sized skewers or toothpicks

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

02 - In a medium bowl, combine flour, cheddar cheese, butter, cayenne (if using), paprika, and salt. Mix with your hands until a soft dough forms.

03 - Pat dough into a rough rectangle and cut into 24 even pieces (about 1 tablespoon each).

04 - Flatten each piece of dough in your palm, place one olive in the center, and wrap the dough around to seal it completely. Roll into balls.

05 - Arrange balls on the prepared baking sheet. Optionally, chill for 10 minutes for neater results.

06 - Bake for 16–18 minutes until golden and firm. Let cool for 5 minutes.

07 - Thread each warm cheese ball onto a skewer or toothpick. Serve immediately, warm or at room temperature.

# Expert Tips:

01 -

This snack is my go-to for a party trick that never fails quiet the room with the first bite.
The dough is so forgiving that even casual cooks can pull off impressive results on the first try.

02 -

If you don’t pat the olives dry, the dough can slip off or bake unevenly—I learned this after a tiny cheese volcano incident.
Letting the baked balls cool a few minutes before skewering keeps them from crumbling apart in your hands.

03 -