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This bacon ranch cheese ball will be your favorite go-to appetizer! The winning combination of bacon, ranch seasoning, and cheddar cheese really stands out in this tasty cheese ball. Serve with crackers and watch everyone devour it!
Reasons You’ll Love This Cheese Ball!
- Crowd-Pleasing: Your guests will go crazy over this bacon ranch cheese ball! My boys ask me to make it for every game day and it’s always the first appetizer to be devoured.
- Easy Appetizer: Cheese balls are the easiest appetizers to make! It takes just a few simple steps, it comes together in 15 minutes. Try my Jalapeno Popper Dip or this Hot Spinach Artichoke Dip if you need more tasty appetizers!
- Make Ahead: Everyone loves a make-ahead option for parties. This cheese ball is the perfect appetizer to make in advance. Store in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve it!
Ingredients For Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball
Gather these simple ingredients to make the tastiest cheese ball at the party! Everyone will love the combination of bacon, ranch, and cheddar. Follow the recipe card below for exact measurements!
- Cream Cheese: Softened cream cheese is best!
- Dry Ranch Dressing Mix: Seasons the cheese ball perfectly.
- Cheddar Cheese: Shredded cheddar cheese pairs well with the bacon and ranch flavors.
- Green Onions: Fresh chopped green onions add flavor and a pop of color.
- Bacon: The best part of the cheese ball! It adds a salty and smokey flavor.
- Pecans: Rolling the cheese ball in crunchy pecans adds flavor and texture.
Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball Recipe
Cheese balls are incredibly easy to make! It comes together quickly and is the perfect last-minute appetizer idea. It’s so addicting and you can never stop at just one bite!
- Mix: In a medium bowl, mix the cream cheese and dry ranch seasoning using an electric hand mixer.
- Add: Add the shredded cheese, green onion, and crumbled bacon.
- Combine: Mix to combine the ingredients together until incorporated.
- Shape: Shape the mixture into a ball. I like to use saran wrap for an easy cleaner option!
- Roll in Nuts and Serve: Place pecans on a plate then roll the cheese ball over the nuts to coat the outside. You can make one big ball or two smaller ones! Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container until you’re ready to serve. Enjoy with crackers or vegetables!
Tips and Variations
Here are a few tips for success when making this cheese ball recipe! These tips will help you master the art of making the perfect cheese ball. I also have some ideas or switching it up to make it just how you like it!
- Forming Into a Ball: It’s easiest to transfer the mixture onto a large piece of plastic wrap. Pull the corners of the plastic wrap together to easily form a ball then finish shaping it with your hands.
- Pecan Tips: You can roll the cheese ball in nuts ahead of time. If you want them to remain firm and crunchy, I recommend waiting to roll the ball in the pecans right before serving. Just place the nuts on a plate and press all sides (except the bottom) of the cheese ball in the nuts.
- Serving Tips: I like to serve the cheese ball in the middle of a platter and then place a variety of crackers around the ball. It makes it look so pretty when you serve it. I also like to add some green onions on the outside for a pop of color!
- Add-Ins: Try adding olives! It’s surprisingly delicious. And if you really love nuts, add a handful to the cream cheese mixture as well.
- Gift Giving: Looking for a hostess gift or a neighbor gift idea for the holidays? I decided to divide the cheese balls into smaller balls and give them to my neighbors with some crackers. It was a huge hit!
Storing Leftovers
Cheese balls are great for making ahead! The flavors meld together and taste even better the next day. They’re easy to store and stay tasting delicious for days.
- In the Refrigerator: Store in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Allow it to sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving so the cream cheese can soften.
- Make Ahead: Make and form the cheese ball then let it refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 3 days! Before serving, roll the cheese ball mixture in the chopped pecans.
More Cheese Ball Flavors to Enjoy!
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Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball
Ingredients
- 2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese
- 1 (1-ounce) packet dry buttermilk ranch dressing mix
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup thinly sliced green onion
- 6 pieces bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 cup pecans or almonds, finely chopped for coating
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, mix the 2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese and 1 (1-ounce) packet dry buttermilk ranch dressing mix using an electric hand mixer.
- Add the ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese, ¼ cup thinly sliced green onion, and the cooked and crumbled 6 pieces bacon,.
- Mix to combine the ingredients together until incorporated.
- Shape the mixture into a ball. I like to use saran wrap to make it easy!
- Place 1 cup pecans or almonds, on a plate then roll the cheese ball over the nuts to coat the outside. You can make one big ball or two smaller ones!
- Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container until you're ready to serve. Enjoy with crackers or vegetables!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Hi Alyssa! This is an awesome recipe! I make a cheese ball similar to this. I also add diced deli ham in mine then I roll it in the crisp bacon bits. You can buy the Real Bacon Pieces/Bits and microwave then until they are crisp. I have a granddaughter that has nut allergies and she absolutely loves this!
Amazing appetizer! I’ve made this 3 times now (and counting) for family functions and it gets huge compliments every time. I put in Frank’s RedHot Buffalo Ranch Dip Seasoning to give it a bit of spice…awesome!!
I am going to make this yummy cheese ball for Thanksgiving, thank you for sharing?
what kind of crackers are those? they look delicious!
These crackers are a fave of mine. They are the Back to Nature Organic Wheat Crackers, Stoneground. Hope that you love them as much as I do! XOXO
Very delicious, thank you for sharing. Also, when you gifted them out to neighbors,…what did you wrap the cheeseball with ?
I bought a plate for each one and then wrapped it in cellophane Christmas wrap. Hope that helps! It was a huge hit and loved by all! XOXO
What cracker did you use in the video? That’s the cracker I want because they look like they would hold up well.
I got them from Costco in a package of 5 or 6 varieties. I am not sure what they are called though.
For those who can’t eat nuts, what would be a good alternative to the pecans? The only thing I can think of is to crush some pretzels….
Maybe bacon crumbles and finely shredded cheddar, mixed with finely chopped green onions and/or parsley?
Sounds good haven’t tried it yet
Do you think this is gluten free?
No, unfortunately it is not. You are welcome to make it GF though, if that is what you need.
what kind of crackers did you use with the dip?
I like to use a buttery cracker but any cracker will taste great with this cheese ball.
I made this today for tomorrow’s New Years munchies. Had a taste and it is so yummy. Sans olives as very few people in my family like them we put those yucky things in a bowl for those who do like them lol ?Happy New Year and thanks for sharing your recipe ??
I wanted some clarification on the Ranch packet mix……the “buttermilk” only comes in 0.4 oz. dry packets where as the REGULAR ranch dry mix comes in 1 oz. packets. IS THERE A DIFFERENCE? Thanks!
I am sure both would work just fine. 🙂
Can u prepare this and freeze??
Thanks a lot for sharing this with all of us you really know what you are talking about! Bookmarked. Please also visit my website =). We could have a link exchange arrangement between us!
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Thanks so much for sharing! I made this like three times, and it’s always a huge hit. I love this recipe so much that I’m linking your page to my blog. Take care!
Made it last week for a shower trial run and it was delicious! Thanks for sharing a great recipe. Easy, quick and tasty!
Bacon does make everything better! So excited to try this. I think my hubby may just die when he sees it! 😉