Quick Answer: Classic: Kaukauna Port Wine Cheese Ball with Almonds. Budget: Kaukauna Smoky Bacon (about $3.46 at Walmart). Seasonal: Trader Joe's Totally Cheeseball. To ship as a gift: Hickory Farms.
Our top picks
Best classic
Kaukauna Port Wine Spreadable Cheese Ball with AlmondsThe retro port wine ball, in most delis
No taste test exists, so we picked on shopper ratings, ingredients and price. Several are seasonal, so check in November.
All 8 picks
Prices are store listings checked October 2026. Seasonal flavors come and go.
Best classic
Kaukauna Port Wine Spreadable Cheese Ball with Almonds
- Weight
- 6 oz
- Coating
- Almonds
- Rating
- 4.5 / 5 at Stop & Shop (30)
Why it's here: The classic holiday flavor from the biggest cheese ball brand.
Watch out: Colored with carmine (not vegetarian). Price varies by store.
Why we picked it (sources)
Stop & Shop lists 6 oz, cheddar, port wine and almonds, with carmine and annatto color, rated 4.5 from 30 reviews (Stop & Shop). A trade report gives a suggested price from $4.49 at Walmart, Albertsons, Kroger and Publix (Dairy Foods).
Easiest to find
Kaukauna Smoky Bacon Spreadable Cheese Ball
- Weight
- 6 oz
- Rating
- 4.4 / 5 (2,197 at Walmart)
- Made with
- Cheese, bacon, almonds
Why it's here: Cheap, everywhere, and thousands of shoppers rate it well.
Watch out: Smoky bacon is less festive than port wine or cranberry.
Why we picked it (sources)
Walmart lists $3.46 for 6 oz, rated 4.4 from 2,197 ratings (Walmart).
Best mail-order
Hickory Farms Original Blend Cheese Ball 3-Pack
- Weight
- 3 × 9 oz
- Coating
- Almonds
- Also in
- Sharp Cheddar and Swiss blends
Why it's here: Ships to the door in three flavors, with at least 45 days before the best-by date.
Watch out: Costs far more per ounce, and doesn't ship to Alaska, Hawaii or PO boxes.
Why we picked it (sources)
Hickory Farms lists three 9 oz balls for $37.99 (Hickory Farms) and guarantees at least 45 days before the best-by date on its cheese balls (Hickory Farms).
Best spreadable twist
Trader Joe's Totally Cheeseball Cheese Spread
- Weight
- 9 oz
- Cheeses
- Unexpected Cheddar, Syrah Toscano
- Mix-ins
- Almonds, chives, parsley, garlic
Why it's here: Food editors at three sites picked it for holiday hosting.
Watch out: It's a soft spread, not a coated ball, and it was limited-time in 2025.
Why we picked it (sources)
Allrecipes gives $4.99 for 9 oz and calls it an "elevated play on the retro cheese ball" (Allrecipes via AOL). Simply Recipes suggests water crackers with fig jam or hot honey (Simply Recipes via AOL). Chowhound lists it among the best Trader Joe's hosting appetizers (Chowhound).
Best budget
Happy Farms Deli Style Cheese Ball (Aldi)
- Weight
- 6 oz
- Flavors
- Sharp Cheddar, Port Wine
- Where
- Aldi only
Why it's here: The lowest price we found for any cheese ball.
Watch out: That price is from a 2020 ad; check your store, and we couldn't confirm the coating.
Best holiday flavor
Kaukauna Cranberry & Cream Cheese Cheese Ball
- Weight
- 9 oz
- Coating
- Almonds
- Season
- Fall and holidays
Why it's here: The brand's sweet cranberry ball, made for the fall and holiday season.
Watch out: Seasonal; we couldn't confirm it's back for 2026.
Why we picked it (sources)
Bel Brands' launch release gives 9 oz, the almond coating and a $4.49 to $5.99 suggested price (Bel Brands). A trade report says it's limited to the fall and holiday seasons (Refrigerated & Frozen Foods).
Best pecan-crusted
H-E-B Deli Cheese Ball, Sharp Cheddar Pecan
- Coating
- Chopped pecans
- Also
- Port Wine Cheddar Almond, same price
- Where
- H-E-B (Texas)
Why it's here: The only pecan-coated supermarket ball we found.
Watch out: Texas only, and not every store carries it.
Biggest store brand
Taste of Inspirations Sharp Cheddar Cheese Ball with Almonds
- Weight
- 10 oz
- Servings
- 10
- Where
- Giant, Stop & Shop
Why it's here: The largest single supermarket ball we found.
Watch out: Only at Giant and Stop & Shop in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic.
Why we picked it (sources)
Giant lists 10 oz, "rolled in almonds," with 10 servings (Giant).
How to choose
- Check the weight. Balls run from 6 to 10 oz. A 6 oz ball serves about 6 guests as one of several cheeses, or 3 if it's the only cheese.
- Nut allergy at the party? Almonds or pecans coat nearly every store-bought ball. Read the label.
- Vegetarian guests? Port-wine balls are often colored with carmine, which is made from insects.
- Take it out 15 to 20 minutes early so it spreads, and put it out with a spreader and sturdy crackers.
Want to make your own? Our cheese ball recipe takes 15 minutes plus chilling and can be made up to 3 days ahead.
Cheese ball questions
How many people does a cheese ball serve?
A 6 oz ball serves about 6 guests when it's one of several cheeses, or about 3 if it's the only cheese. A 9 to 10 oz ball serves about 9 to 10 as part of a spread.
Can you freeze a store-bought cheese ball?
The packages we checked don't give freezing directions, so keep store-bought balls in the fridge and go by the best-by date. Homemade cheese balls freeze well.
How far ahead can I buy a cheese ball?
Check the best-by date and keep it refrigerated until the party. Mail-order balls from Hickory Farms come with at least 45 days before the best-by date.
What crackers go with a cheese ball?
Sturdy ones that won't snap: water crackers, pita crackers, pretzel crisps or crostini. Add celery and bell pepper strips, and graham crackers for a sweet cranberry ball.
Should a cheese ball sit out before serving?
Yes. Take it out about 15 to 20 minutes before serving so it softens enough to spread, and don't leave it out more than 2 hours.
How we picked these, and sources
No published taste test compares store-bought cheese balls, so we don't give star ratings here. We picked these from shopper ratings, ingredients, weight, price and where each is sold, using the store listings, brand releases and editor write-ups linked on each card. Serving sizes follow our house standard of about 2 oz of cheese per guest as an appetizer; Wisconsin Cheese has party guidance (Wisconsin Cheese). Freezing guidance for homemade balls is from Taste of Home (Taste of Home). Prices checked October 25, 2026.
- Stop & Shop: Kaukauna Port Wine Cheese Ball
- Dairy Foods: Kaukauna new recipe and packaging
- Perishable News: Kaukauna Rosé White Cheddar
- Walmart: Kaukauna Smoky Bacon
- Bel Brands: Kaukauna seasonal cheese balls
- Refrigerated & Frozen Foods: Kaukauna seasonal flavors
- Allrecipes via AOL: Trader Joe's Totally Cheeseball
- Simply Recipes via AOL: Trader Joe's appetizer
- Chowhound: Best Trader Joe's appetizers for hosting
- Aldi: Happy Farms Sharp Cheddar Cheese Ball
- Kupino: Aldi cheese ball ad, Oct 2020
- H-E-B: Sharp Cheddar Pecan Cheese Ball
- H-E-B: Port Wine Cheese Ball
- Hickory Farms: Original Blend 3-Pack
- Hickory Farms: Sharp Cheddar 3-Pack
- Giant: Taste of Inspirations Cheese Ball
- Taste of Home: Three-in-One Cheese Ball
- Wisconsin Cheese: Cheese party
Hosting a holiday? See our Thanksgiving charcuterie board ideas and Christmas charcuterie board ideas, or make your own with the cheese ball recipe. Every ranked guide is on our charcuterie buying guides page.
