Easy Crispy Parmesan Garlic Football Charcuterie Board
A warm, crispy, cheesy appetizer shaped like a football, perfect for game day. Made with a creamy cheese base, crunchy panko topping, and roasted garlic, it’s a crowd-pleasing snack that comes together in about 30 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (low-moisture)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for topping
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- For serving: crackers, crostini, sliced baguette, celery sticks, carrot sticks, or bell pepper strips
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a football-shaped baking dish or line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, mayonnaise, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Fold together until completely uniform.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared dish. If using a regular pan, mound it into a football shape about 1.5 inches thick. Smooth the top and sides.
- In a small bowl, stir together the panko breadcrumbs and melted butter until every crumb is coated. Sprinkle evenly over the cheese mixture and press down gently.
- Bake for 18-22 minutes, until the edges are bubbly and the top is deep golden brown. If browning too fast, tent loosely with foil for the last 5 minutes.
- Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
- Sprinkle extra Parmesan on top while hot. Arrange crackers, veggies, and bread around the board. Optionally, add a small bowl of marinara or a drizzle of hot honey in the center.
Notes
Room temperature cream cheese is essential for a smooth base. Don’t overbake; 20 minutes is usually the sweet spot. Let the board rest for 5 minutes after baking to prevent it from being too runny. For extra crunch, broil for 1-2 minutes at the end, watching carefully. To make ahead, assemble without panko topping up to 24 hours in advance, refrigerate, then add topping and bake (add 5 extra minutes).
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 520
- Fat: 28
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 8
- Protein: 12
Keywords: game day appetizer, football charcuterie board, crispy parmesan garlic, baked cheese board, easy party snack