Cheese balls are a long standing hero when it comes to party appetizers. They are easy to make, delicious to eat, and the perfect party food. I don’t think they’ll ever go out of style. This recipe is packed with flavor that comes from tons of crispy bacon, lots of savory cheese, and the delicious tang of ranch seasoning. Half of the flavor ingredients go inside the cheese ball, while the others are pressed into the outside of it, making it beautiful with lots of wonderful texture. Whether you make this Bacon Ranch Cheeseball to include in a charcuterie board for a cocktail party, or you make it to share with your family while watching a game, you’ll be glad you did. If you’re a ranch lover, you need to make these Ranch Oyster Crackers and Ham & Cheese Roll Ups, and get the recipe for my Homemade Ranch Dressing too.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Key Ingredients
Complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Cream Cheese: a cheese ball is basically a cold cream cheese dip, formed into an easy to eat and beautiful to display shape. Sour Cream: Mixing the cream cheese with sour cream makes the cheese ball softer than using just cream cheese, and therefore easier to spread. Shredded Cheese: A combination of cheddar and Monteray jack cheese is perfect in this recipe. Ranch Seasoning: Use 1 packet of ranch dressing or dip seasoning, or 1 ounce or three tablespoons of homemade ranch seasoning. Other Seasonings: Salt, Pepper, and Garlic Powder add more savory flavor. Bacon: Cooked, crumbled bacon is so delicious in this recipe. I like to cook my back so that it’s nice and crispy. Green Onions: I love the mild onion flavor of spring onion tops, and the bit of green on the outside of the cheeseball is very pretty. Chives can also be used. Pecans: Any good classic cheese ball recipe includes nuts. Toasted pecans, chopped, add great texture to this outer layer of this recipe.
How to Make a Cheese Ball
Recipe Tips
Soften the cream cheese: Don’t try to mix up your cheese ball ingredients until your cream cheese is at room temperature. You want the seasonings to be smoothly incorporated into the cheese. For a round shape: Place the cheese ball in a small bowl while it’s chilling in the fridge, to avoid the bottom flattening too much.
Cheese Ball Variations
Make it vegetarian: Omit the bacon, or replace it with a vegan bacon substitute. Switch up the cheese: Use pepper jack, Colby, or your favorite type of cheese in place of the types called for in the recipe. Try almonds: Instead of pecans, use almonds or any other type of nut. For more texture: Try adding chopped french fried onions or crushed pork rinds to the outer coating mixture.
More Easy and Delicious Appetizers
For your holiday parties, this Christmas Charcuterie Board will be gorgeous in the center of the appetizer table. My favorite hot appetizers are this Cheesy Hot Crab Dip and Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms. Need some crunchy snacks to add to the mix? Try making Honey Mustard Pretzels or Crispy Air Fryer Chickpeas. Homemade Pimento Cheese is always a hit too! You need to make this delicious Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball for your next party! It’s going to be a huge hit and everyone will beg you for the recipe. Win! © Little Sunny Kitchen
