This easy bacon ranch cheese ball recipe is the ultimate crowd pleaser! Creamy spread loaded with Ranch flavors, bacon and green onions.
Add this easy cheeseball recipe to your Charcuterie Board for the ultimate appetizer!
BACON RANCH CHEESE BALL RECIPE
Once you try this easy cheese ball recipe, it’s going to be your go-to appetizer or snack! Cream cheese loaded with shredded cheese, smoky bacon, freshly chopped greens, and the popular Ranch powder. Have this cold cheese spread ready in minutes and watch it disappear just as fast! This cheese ball recipe is perfect for holidays, game days, or even for a savory snack.
WHAT YOU NEED-
- Cream Cheese– The main ingredient for this bacon ranch cheese ball is softened cream cheese! Either classic or low-fat cream cheese can be used.
- Sour Cream– To thin out the cream cheese, this recipe calls for sour cream or plain Greek yogurt. If you don’t mind a thicker cheese ball you can leave the sour cream out.
- Bacon– Adding bacon to this cheese ball is a game changer! Be sure to use cooked bacon bits, check out my post on how to perfectly cook bacon bits.
- Shredded Cheese– This recipe calls for shredded cheddar cheese. You can also use shredded Colby jack cheese.
- Green Onion– Finely chopped green onions add so many delicious flavors and it goes so well with the ranch powder! I highly recommend adding green onions, but you can leave them out if desired.
- Ranch Powder– Another key component to this recipe is Ranch powder! Either Hidden Valley ranch powder or any off-brand powder can be used.
- Nuts– The cheeseball is coated in nuts! You can use either chopped pecans, walnuts, sunflower seeds, or a mixture or all! I like to use chopped pecans for this appetizer.
HOW TO MAKE A CHEESE BALL
With just a few simple steps, you can have this easy cheese spread ready to enjoy!
- In a small bowl, divide the ingredients needed for the cheese ball coating, cover and set aside. (You can store it in the fridge as the cheese ball chills.)
- In a separate large bowl, add all the ingredients needed for the cheese ball.
- With a spoon or spatula, mix until everything is well combined.
- Lay out plastic wrap and scoop the cheese ball mixture in the center and then wrap into a round ball.
- Refrigerate in the plastic wrap for several hours, until the cheese ball is firm.
- Once the cheeseball is firm, unwrap the ball from the plastic and drop into the topping mixture. Gently roll the cheeseball to coat the ball in the mixture.
- Transfer to a serving dish or board and serve with
SERVING IDEAS
This delicious spreadable cheese ball is such a fun and delicious appetizer! Pair with:
- Crackers
- Bagel Crisps
- Pretzels
- Cucumbers
- Flatbread Crisps
CHEESE BALL VARIATIONS-
There are so many different flavors of cheese ball!
- Jalapeno Popper– For a kick, add chopped fresh jalapenos to this mixture for a delicious jalapeno popper cheese ball!
- Everything Bagel– Take out the bacon and Ranch powder and use everything bagel seasoning for a delicious cheeseball flavor!
- Cranberry Cheddar– Swap the bacon, cheddar cheese and Ranch powder for dried cranberries, white cheddar cheese and chopped pecans and walnuts in the filling! This is perfect for the Christmas holidays.
- Dill Pickle– Instead of bacon, green onions and Ranch, use chopped pickles, freshly chopped dill, and season with garlic powder, salt, and pepper!
COATING IDEAS-
You want to make sure the coating goes with the filling but here are some great ideas for your cheese ball coating!
- Pecans
- Walnuts
- Sunflower Seeds
- Crispy Bacon Bits
- Chopped Dried Beef
- Everything Bagel seasoning
- Poppyseeds
- Chives
- Dried Fruit
QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE:
Although coating the cheese ball in the coating makes it prettier, you can skip the coating and serve it plain.
You want to be sure you are pressing the coating into the cheeseball to allow it to stick!
No! You can use dried beef, crispy prosciutto, or leave out the meat!
Yes, you can make this up to 3-4 days ahead of time and chill in the fridge. Coat right before serving.
Store in the fridge covered or in an airtight container for up to 4-5 days!
This cheese ball freezes great! Wrap in plastic wrap then add to a freezer safe bag and freeze for 3-4 months! Thaw overnight in the fridge and enjoy!
Yes! Shape into whatever shape, this is great for each holiday! Shape into a football, log, heart, Christmas tree, etc! Have fun with this appetizer.
Yes! Scoop the cheeseball mixture into smaller balls for individual cheese balls. You might need to make more coating.
OTHER APPETIZER RECIPES TO TRY-
You can never have enough appetizer ideas! Here are some delicious starters:
Easy Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball Recipe
Ingredients
- 16 oz cream cheese softened
- 3 Tbsp sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
- 8 oz cooked bacon bits divided
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese divided
- 2 oz chopped bacon cooked
- 2 ½ Tbsp Ranch powder
- 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup green onions finely chopped
- 1/3 cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts
- crackers for serving
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine chopped pecans, 1/4 cup shredded cheese, 1/4 cup bacon bits, and 2 Tbsp green onions. Cover and set aside until ready to coat.
- In a separate large bowl, add softened cream cheese, sour cream, the remaining bacon, shredded cheese, green onions, and Ranch powder.
- With a spoon or spatula, mix until everything is well combined.
- Lay out plastic wrap on the counter and then scoop the cream cheese mixture into the center of the plastic wrap. Bring together the corners, wrap and seal the cheese, shaping in a round ball.
- Refrigerate in the plastic wrap for 2-3 hours, or until firm.
- Once the cheeseball is firm, carefully unwrap the ball from the plastic and drop into the topping mixture. Gently roll the cheeseball to coat the ball in the mixture.
- Transfer to a serving dish or board and serve with crackers.
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