Chilli Cheese Garlic Dough Balls Recipe

If you love snacks that bring together fiery spice, creamy cheese, and the irresistible aroma of garlic, then these Chilli Cheese Garlic Dough Balls are going to be your new obsession. Picture soft, pillowy dough envelopes brimming with stringy mozzarella and spicy chilli cheddar, baked to golden perfection, then generously brushed with a fragrant, herby garlic butter. Each bite offers a perfect balance of heat, richness, and crunch, making Chilli Cheese Garlic Dough Balls the ultimate comfort snack for any occasion. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or craving an indulgent treat for yourself, this recipe is a delightful way to turn simple ingredients into something truly unforgettable.

Chilli Cheese Garlic Dough Balls Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients are wonderfully straightforward, yet each one plays a crucial role in creating the perfect texture, flavor, and aroma of Chilli Cheese Garlic Dough Balls. From the robust bread flour that gives structure to the dough to the luscious blend of cheeses that add gooey richness, every component is essential.

  • Strong bread flour (150 g): Provides a sturdy yet soft base that allows the dough balls to rise beautifully and hold their shape.
  • Olive oil (1 tbsp): Adds moisture and a subtle fruity note to the dough, enhancing its tenderness.
  • Water (80-100 ml): Activates the yeast and hydrates the flour to form a soft, slightly sticky dough perfect for baking.
  • Dried yeast (7 g): The magic that makes the dough rise, giving the dough balls that airy, fluffy texture.
  • Sea salt (1/4 tsp): Enhances all the natural flavors in the dough and balances the richness of the cheese and butter.
  • Mozzarella pearls (12): These little pockets of creamy, melted cheese are what make every bite gloriously indulgent.
  • Chilli cheddar cubes (12, 1 cm-sized): Deliver a spicy, sharp kick to contrast the mellow mozzarella and buttery dough.
  • Soft butter (20 g): Creates that luscious garlic butter glaze that makes these dough balls utterly addictive.
  • Olive oil (1/2 tsp for butter): Helps emulsify the garlic butter and adds richness without overpowering flavors.
  • Garlic clove (1, minced): Brings that unmistakable fragrant punch that garlic lovers crave.
  • Dried parsley (1/2 tsp): Adds a hint of fresh herbal brightness to the buttery topping.
  • Dried oregano (1/4 tsp): Gives an earthy undertone that complements both the cheese and garlic perfectly.
  • Dried chilli flakes (1/2 tsp): Crank up the heat and add dimension to the spicy profile of the dough balls.
  • Grated parmesan (1-2 tsp): A salty, nutty sprinkle on top, elevating each bite with its savory bite.
  • Sea salt (optional seasoning): A pinch at the end if you love a little extra seasoning pop.

How to Make Chilli Cheese Garlic Dough Balls

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

Start by mixing the strong bread flour, olive oil, dried yeast, sea salt, and enough water to create a soft but slightly sticky dough. Using a dough hook on your stand mixer is the easiest way to get this right—mix just until the dough pulls away from the sides, but still sticks a little bit to the base for that perfect texture.

Step 2: Let It Rise

Grease your mixing bowl with a bit of olive oil then place the dough inside. Cover it with a clean cloth or lightly greased cling film and leave it to rise. Ideally, this should take less than an hour unless your kitchen is pretty chilly. The dough should double in size, developing the fluffy interior that makes these balls so irresistible.

Step 3: Shape the Dough Balls

Once your dough has risen, gently punch it down to release excess air. Divide it into 12 equal pieces, then flatten each piece into a thin disk just under 1cm thick. Into the center of each disk, nestle one mozzarella pearl and a 1cm cube of chilli cheddar. Fold the dough edges carefully up and around the cheese, sealing it fully within. Place each ball on a lightly greased baking tray or enamel dish, leaving about 1cm space between them for their second rise.

Step 4: Second Rise

Cover your shaped dough balls again with lightly greased cling film, sealing the edges to keep moisture in. In about 30 minutes, they will puff up and touch each other, ready for baking. This second rise ensures the dough balls are soft and airy after baking.

Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection

Preheat your oven to 200˚C (390˚F). Pop the baking tray or dish into the oven and bake for 13 to 15 minutes until golden brown and crisp on top. A gentle tap on the crust should sound hollow, promising a light interior. Don’t worry if the crust seems firm—the garlic butter glaze will soften them up deliciously.

Step 6: Drizzle the Garlic Butter

While the dough balls bake, melt your butter and mix in olive oil, minced garlic, dried parsley, oregano, chilli flakes, and a little sea salt if desired. As soon as the dough balls come out of the oven, brush this glorious mixture generously over the hot dough balls, then grate the parmesan on top. Let them sit for about 5 minutes so the cheese melts slightly and the flavors meld, making sure you don’t burn your tongue on molten cheese!

How to Serve Chilli Cheese Garlic Dough Balls

Chilli Cheese Garlic Dough Balls Recipe

Garnishes

Fresh herbs like finely chopped parsley or basil add a lovely pop of color and a hint of freshness to contrast the richness. A light drizzle of extra virgin olive oil or a sprinkle of flaky sea salt just before serving can enhance the flavors even more. You can also offer some extra chilli flakes on the side for those who love a bit more heat.

Side Dishes

Chilli Cheese Garlic Dough Balls make a fantastic appetizer alongside crisp garden salads or tangy coleslaw to cut through their richness. They’re also delightful paired with a fresh tomato salsa or a cooling yogurt and cucumber dip, which creates a beautiful balance of spicy, creamy, and fresh flavors.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun party presentation, arrange your dough balls in a tight cluster on a rustic wooden board, surrounded by small bowls of complementary dips like marinara, pesto, or garlic aioli. You can even stack them into a pull-apart bread loaf style for a communal, shareable snack that’s interactive and totally fun to eat.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have any Chilli Cheese Garlic Dough Balls left, store them in an airtight container once they have fully cooled. They will keep well at room temperature for up to two days, retaining most of their soft texture and cheesy good stuff inside.

Freezing

To keep these tasty treats longer, freeze them before the second rise or after baking and cooling completely. Wrap them tightly in cling film and place them in a freezer-safe container or bag. Frozen dough balls or baked treats will stay delicious for up to three months.

Reheating

Reheat frozen or leftover dough balls in a preheated oven at 180˚C (350˚F) for 8 to 10 minutes until warmed through and the exterior crisps back up. Avoid microwaving as it can make the dough balls chewy or soggy. Reheating in the oven preserves their fresh-baked charm.

FAQs

Can I make these dough balls without the chilli cheddar?

Absolutely! If you prefer less heat, you can substitute the chilli cheddar with mild cheddar or another cheese of your choice. The mozzarella pearls keep the gooey texture, and you can always add chilli flakes to the butter topping to adjust heat levels.

What is the best cheese to use inside the dough balls?

Mozzarella pearls are perfect for their meltiness and mild flavor, while chilli cheddar adds a punchy spicy kick. You can mix and match cheese types but aim for a combination that melts well and complements each other.

Can I prepare the dough balls in advance?

Yes! You can shape the dough balls and freeze them before their second rise. When ready to bake, thaw fully at room temperature, allow them to rise again slightly if needed, then bake as directed.

How spicy are these Chilli Cheese Garlic Dough Balls?

The level of spice can be adjusted by the amount of chilli cheddar and chilli flakes you use. This recipe offers a noticeable but balanced heat that warms without overwhelming the other flavors.

Are these dough balls suitable for kids?

Definitely! You can tone down the spice by using mild cheddar and reducing or omitting the chilli flakes in the butter. Kids usually love the cheesy, garlicky goodness once the heat is moderated.

Final Thoughts

Chilli Cheese Garlic Dough Balls are truly one of those magical recipes that turn simple ingredients into a soul-satisfying treat. They bring together spice, cheese, and garlic in a way that’s fun to make and impossible to resist. Whether you’re hosting friends, looking for a snack to enjoy with your favorite drink, or just want to treat yourself, these dough balls will deliver all the cozy, delicious vibes. Give them a go—you won’t regret it!

Print

Chilli Cheese Garlic Dough Balls Recipe

These Chilli Cheese Garlic Dough Balls are a deliciously soft and cheesy treat infused with a spicy kick of chilli cheddar and garlic butter. Perfect as an appetizer or snack, the dough balls are filled with melty mozzarella and chilli cheddar, baked to golden perfection, then topped with a fragrant garlic herb butter and parmesan for an irresistible flavor combination.

  • Author: Maya
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Yield: 12 dough balls 1x
  • Category: Snack, Appetizer
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Fusion, Snack
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale

For the Dough Balls

  • 150 g strong bread flour
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 80100 ml water
  • 7 g dried yeast
  • 1/4 tsp sea salt
  • 12 mozzarella pearls, drained on kitchen roll
  • 12 chunks chilli cheddar, 1cm cubed

For the Butter Topping

  • 20 g soft butter
  • 1/2 tsp olive oil
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1/2 tsp dried parsley
  • 1/4 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp dried chilli flakes
  • 12 tsp grated parmesan
  • Sea salt to season (optional)

Instructions

  1. Make the Dough: In a stand mixer bowl, combine the flour, olive oil, dried yeast, sea salt, and gradually add enough water to create a soft, slightly sticky dough. Beat using the dough hook until the dough almost cleans the sides of the bowl, allowing a little sticking.
  2. Let the Dough Rise: Grease the bowl, cover with cling film or a tea towel, and leave the dough to rise until doubled in size, approximately under an hour at room temperature.
  3. Divide the Dough: Lightly punch down the dough to release air, then divide into 12 even pieces. Lightly grease a baking tray or an enamel disk with olive oil.
  4. Fill the Dough Balls: Flatten each piece into a disk just under 1cm thick. Place one 1cm cube of chilli cheddar and one mozzarella pearl in the center, then carefully fold the dough edges up to fully enclose the cheese. Place the filled dough balls on the prepared tray, spacing about 1cm apart.
  5. Second Rise: Cover the dough balls lightly with greased cling film, ensuring a seal around the edges, and let them rise for about 30 minutes until they double in size and touch each other.
  6. Bake the Dough Balls: Preheat the oven to 200°C (390°F). Bake the dough balls for 13-15 minutes until golden brown and crisp on top. When tapped, they should have a hollow sound.
  7. Prepare the Garlic Butter: While baking, melt the butter and stir in olive oil, minced garlic, dried parsley, dried oregano, and dried chilli flakes.
  8. Brush and Garnish: Remove the hot dough balls from the oven, immediately brush them generously with the garlic butter mixture, then grate parmesan over the top. Optionally, sprinkle with sea salt to taste.
  9. Cool and Serve: Allow the dough balls to cool for 5 minutes before serving to avoid burning from the molten cheese inside.

Notes

  • Ensure the mozzarella pearls are drained well to avoid soggy dough balls.
  • Use strong bread flour for better dough elasticity and texture.
  • Adjust water quantity as needed to maintain a slightly sticky but manageable dough.
  • For spicier dough balls, increase the amount of dried chilli flakes in the butter topping.
  • Serve warm for the best melty, gooey cheese experience.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 dough ball (approx. 50 g)
  • Calories: 120 kcal
  • Sugar: 1.2 g
  • Sodium: 180 mg
  • Fat: 6.5 g
  • Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 12 g
  • Fiber: 0.8 g
  • Protein: 5 g
  • Cholesterol: 15 mg

Keywords: Chilli Cheese Dough Balls, Garlic Dough Balls, Spicy Cheese Snacks, Baked Cheese Bites, Appetizer Recipe

Did you make this recipe?

Share a photo and tag us — we can’t wait to see what you’ve made!

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating