Oh my goodness, you HAVE to try these surimi and cream cheese appetizer balls for Christmas! Seriously, they’re an absolute lifesaver when you’re juggling a million things during the holidays. I remember one year, my house was packed with family, and I needed something *super* quick and festive to put out. These little bites saved the day! They look so pretty on a platter with their green and nutty coating, and honestly, they disappear faster than Santa down a chimney. They’re just so darn easy and taste amazing!
Why You’ll Love These Surimi and Cream Cheese Appetizer Balls for Christmas
Seriously, these little guys are a holiday miracle! Here’s why you’ll be making them year after year:
- So Easy to Make: You basically just mix and roll. No complicated steps at all!
- No-Bake Magic: Perfect when your oven is already full of Christmas cookies or the turkey.
- Total Crowd-Pleaser: Everyone loves a creamy, savory bite, and the nutty coating is just *chef’s kiss*.
- Festive Appearance: That pop of green from the parsley and the crunch of nuts make them look so special on your holiday table.
- Ideal for Parties: They’re bite-sized, easy to handle, and can be made ahead, which is a lifesaver when you’re hosting!
Ingredients for Your Surimi and Cream Cheese Appetizer Balls for Christmas
Okay, let’s talk ingredients! You really just need a handful of things, but using good quality stuff makes all the difference, especially with the cream cheese. Trust me, grab the full-fat, block-style cream cheese – the whipped stuff just won’t give you that perfect, firm texture you need for rolling. Here’s what you’ll need:
Cream Cheese and Surimi Base
This is the heart of our little Christmas bites! You’ll need 8 ounces of cream cheese, and make SURE it’s softened. Seriously, leave it on the counter for about an hour before you start. Then, we’ve got 4 ounces of surimi, which is that imitation crab meat. You want to chop this up really, really fine. I sometimes give it a quick pulse in the food processor if I’m feeling fancy, but a sharp knife works great too. You’ll also need 2 tablespoons of fresh parsley and 1 tablespoon of fresh chives, both finely chopped. Don’t forget a little pinch of garlic powder, plus salt and pepper to taste. This combo is just *so* good!
Festive Coating Options
For that pretty, festive look and a little crunch, we’re going to coat these in a mix of nuts and more parsley. You’ll want about 1/2 cup of finely chopped pecans or walnuts. I love pecans here, they have such a lovely sweet flavor. And then another 1/4 cup of fresh parsley, also finely chopped, to give it that gorgeous green sparkle. Just mix these two together in a shallow dish, and you’re ready to roll!
How to Prepare Surimi and Cream Cheese Appetizer Balls for Christmas
Alright, let’s get these festive little bites made! It’s really straightforward, but a couple of little tricks make them turn out perfectly. You’ll be so proud of how they look!
Mixing the Appetizer Base
First things first, grab a medium bowl. Toss in that softened cream cheese, your finely chopped surimi, the 2 tablespoons of parsley, the chives, and that pinch of garlic powder. Season it up with salt and pepper – just a little, taste as you go! Then, get in there and mix it all up really well until everything is totally combined. You want it to be a nice, uniform color and texture.
Chilling the Mixture
Now, this is important! Cover that bowl tightly and pop it into the fridge for at least 30 minutes. This step is key because it helps the mixture firm up, making it so much easier to roll into those perfect little balls. Trust me, don’t skip this part!
Preparing the Coating
While your cream cheese mixture is chilling, get your coating ready. Grab a shallow plate or a little dish, and mix together that 1/2 cup of chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts, remember!) and the other 1/4 cup of fresh parsley. Give it a little stir to combine them. This is what’s going to give our balls that gorgeous, festive look and a yummy crunch.
Shaping and Coating the Balls
Okay, time for the fun part! Take your chilled cream cheese mixture out of the fridge. Scoop out about a tablespoon of the mixture at a time. I like to use a small cookie scoop for this – it helps make sure all the balls are about the same size, which looks super pretty on the platter. Then, just roll each little scoop between your palms until it forms a nice, smooth ball. Don’t worry if your hands get a little messy, that’s part of the fun! Once you have a ball, gently roll it in that nutty parsley mixture until it’s nicely coated all over. Place the finished balls on your serving platter as you go.
Final Chill Before Serving
Once all your little appetizer balls are shaped and coated, pop the whole platter back into the refrigerator. This final chill helps them firm up even more, so they hold their shape beautifully when people are grabbing them at your party. They’re best served cold, so this step is definitely worth it!
Tips for Perfect Surimi and Cream Cheese Appetizer Balls for Christmas
Want to make these even more amazing? I’ve got a few little tricks up my sleeve! If you find your surimi is a bit stringy, just give it a quick whirl in the food processor before chopping – it makes the base super smooth. And don’t feel limited to the nuts and parsley! Crushed Ritz crackers are fantastic for a salty crunch, or even some everything bagel seasoning if you’re feeling adventurous. These are also total make-ahead heroes. I often whip them up the day before and keep them chilled on the serving platter. For presentation, arrange them nicely on a pretty holiday plate, maybe with a sprig of rosemary or a few extra cranberries scattered around – it really makes them pop!
Serving and Storing Your Christmas Appetizer Balls
These little gems are best served nice and cold, right from the fridge. I love arranging them on a festive platter, maybe with a few extra sprigs of parsley or even some strategically placed cranberries for that extra holiday flair. They look so elegant! If you happen to have any leftovers (which is rare in my house, but hey, it happens!), just pop them back into an airtight container and keep them in the refrigerator. They’ll stay good for about 2-3 days. Honestly, I haven’t found a need to reheat them because they’re so delicious cold, but if you did want them slightly less chilled, just leave them out for about 15-20 minutes before serving again.
Frequently Asked Questions about Surimi and Cream Cheese Appetizer Balls for Christmas
Got questions about these little holiday wonders? I’ve got you covered! A lot of people ask if they can use real crab meat instead of surimi. You absolutely can! Just make sure it’s well-drained. If you’re not a fan of surimi or imitation crab, you could even try finely minced cooked shrimp or chicken, though the flavor will be different. Want to spice things up? Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a tiny bit of finely minced jalapeño to the cream cheese mixture for a little kick – perfect for those who love a bit of heat in their holiday party snacks! And yes, you can totally freeze these! Just make sure they’re well-coated and in an airtight container. Thaw them in the fridge overnight before serving. They’re super versatile, making them a go-to for any holiday gathering!
Estimated Nutritional Information
Now, I’m definitely not a nutritionist, but I’ve looked into what these little guys typically pack. On average, each one of these festive appetizer balls comes in at around 70 calories. You’re looking at about 6g of fat, 3g of protein, and just 2g of carbohydrates per ball. Remember, this is just an estimate, and it can totally change depending on the exact brands you use and how generous you are with that yummy coating!
Print
Easy Christmas Balls: 10 Min Magic
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 20-24 balls 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A festive and easy appetizer featuring surimi and cream cheese rolled into bite-sized balls, perfect for Christmas gatherings.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 4 ounces surimi (imitation crab meat), finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh chives
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts (for coating)
- 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley (for coating)
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, chopped surimi, 2 tablespoons parsley, chives, and garlic powder.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the mixture to firm up.
- On a plate or shallow dish, combine the chopped nuts and 1/4 cup parsley for coating.
- Scoop out about 1 tablespoon of the cream cheese mixture at a time.
- Roll each portion into a small ball between your palms.
- Roll each ball in the nut and parsley mixture until evenly coated.
- Place the finished appetizer balls on a serving platter.
- Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Notes
- For a smoother texture, you can process the surimi in a food processor before chopping.
- If you prefer a different coating, consider using crushed crackers, breadcrumbs, or sesame seeds.
- These can be made a day in advance and kept refrigerated.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ball
- Calories: 70
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: surimi, cream cheese, appetizer, Christmas, holiday, party, no-bake, balls, crab