This bacon ranch cheeseball is tasty, more-ish, and a great appetizer to serve at parties, potlucks, and anytime you want to break out a cracker.
We love our appetizers over here. There’s nothing like going to someone’s house or a gathering and seeing table full of snacks. Chips and Ritz crackers and cheese dips and all kinds of yummy stuff. You don’t want to leave the snack table when this happens, am I right?
And of course we love our cheese dips here.
We make them a few ways… pineapple cheeseball.
Even pimento cheese dip, which is extremely more-ish.
A bacon ranch cheese ball you’ll love
In the South we LOVE bacon and Ranch dressing! You will find us topping almost anything with bacon and dipping everything else in Ranch dressing…well almost anyway!
So this combination in a tasty cheese ball is double the pleasure…double the fun!
Watch How to Make the Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball
Types of chips or crackers to eat with the cheese
A cheese ball can be served and enjoyed with a wide variety of chips and crackers. Experiment with different kinds of both until you find your favorites. We particularly like the buttery taste of Ritz crackers and corn tortilla “dippin” chips.
You could go a healthier route and choose from a selection of Veggie, Kale, Carrot, or Spinach Tortilla chips.
It really just depends on your preferences.
How long will the cheese ball keep in the fridge and can you freeze it?
If using recently bought ingredients, your cheese ball should last about 2 weeks in the fridge in airtight container. If the ball has fruit, veggies, nuts, and meat (like this one), it might last less time.
Keep a close eye to make sure it is fresh.
To freeze a cheese ball, wrap it tightly in two layers of plastic wrap before placing in the freezer. When you are ready to serve, thaw the ball for a full 24 hours in the refrigerator. The texture will be less creamy and slightly more crumbly
Substitutions that will work for the bacon cheese ball
While the bacon is one of the stars of this recipe you could change it out for ham but the flavor and taste will be different. You could also change the sharp cheddar cheese to mild or even a mozzarella for a milder vibe.
If onions aren’t your thing, you could substitute fresh chives with a touch of minced garlic to bring out the fresh earthly taste.
How do you get the bacon on the outside of the ball?
It’s important to use fresh, crispy bacon and not imitation bacon bits. While they are okay in salads and dips, they aren’t for this cheese ball. You can’t beat REAL bacon for taste.
If you will chill the cheese ball prior to rolling in the bacon, it will be easier to handle. You can just put the chopped bacon in a bowl and roll your ball around until completely coated, then press onto the sides.
Bacon Cheddar Cheese Ball
Ingredients
- 2- (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup finely chopped bacon, divide
- ¼ cup thinly sliced green onion, divided
- 1 packet ranch seasoning mix
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
What ingredients are in a cheese ball?
Your basic ingredients in a cheese ball are any of an array of full-bodied cheeses combined with the rich taste of full fat cream cheese. Then top that amazing cheese with fresh veggies, delicious meats. and/or the crunch of nuts.
This slogan sums it up….”good cheese always leads to good conversation”. Put this cheese ball out at your next party and let the chatting begin!
Directions
- In a large mixing bowl, beat together the cream cheese, cheddar cheese, half of the bacon, onion, seasonings, and Worcestershire sauce until completely blended.
- Using plastic wrap, shape the cheese mixture into a ball. Transfer to a serving plate. Press the remaining bacon into the sides (You can chill briefly to make adding bacon easier).
- Refrigerate at least one hour prior to serving.
- Serve with crackers or vegetable dippers.
Bacon Ranch Cheeseball
Ingredients
- 2 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 1 cup cheddar cheese sharp, shredded
- 1 cup bacon finely chopped, divided
- 1/4 cup onion thinly sliced, divided
- 1 packet Ranch seasoning mix
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, beat together the cream cheese, cheddar cheese, half of the bacon, onion, seasonings, and Worcestershire sauce until completely blended.
- Using plastic wrap, shape the cheese mixture into a ball. Transfer to a serving plate. Press the remaining bacon into the sides.
- Refrigerate at least one hour prior to serving.
- Serve with crackers or vegetable dippers.
