Bacon Ranch Cheddar Cheese Ball
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This cheese ball has a perfect blend of flavors including ranch, crispy bacon bits, 2 kinds of cheese, and chives. A perfectly easy and delicious appetizer!
There are few things I love more in this world than a gigantic cheese ball. (I’m a classy and complex person.) But this isn’t just any ball o’ cheese. It’s got BACON. (I think I’ve made my point.)
….and aside from just bacon, this cheese ball is loaded with Ranch seasoning, 2 kinds of cheese, and ch-ch-chives. It’s sinfully delicious, good lord. If you need to think of an appetizer in a bind, this will save your life. You literally dump everything into a bowl, mix it, and yer done.
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Does this Cheese Ball need to chill?
- Cheese balls are best if refrigerated for a minimum of one hour in order to allow the flavors to blend.
What to serve with a Cheese Ball:
I love serving this with water crackers because they’re sturdy and aren’t overpowering, we’ve got enough flavors going on here. You can also serve them with pita chips or vegetables. What could look better than this cheese ball in the middle of a vegetable platter?!
Serving Options:
You can get as creative as you want with this recipe, some people like to roll it in some crushed pecans or sliced almonds. You could also use a small cookie scoop and roll 1/2 Tablespoon-sized balls and let people grab mini cheese balls with toothpicks.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes. This cheese ball can be made up to two days ahead of time.
Can I serve this as a warm dip?
Yes! Here’s how:
-Let the cream cheese sit at room temperature for an hour to ensure a smooth consistency when it’s baked. Then use an electric mixer to beat the cream cheese until smooth.
-Add in the other ingredients except for the green onions and bake at 350 for 30 minutes.
-Remove the dip from the oven, give it a little stir, top with green onions, and serve!
Want more? Check out all of my appetizer ideas.
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This cheese ball has a perfect blend of flavors including ranch, crispy bacon bits, 2 kinds of cheese, and chives.
- 16 oz. cream cheese
- 1 oz. packet Ranch dressing mix
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- ¼ cup green onions, diced (can sub 1/3 cup diced chives)
- 6 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled
-
Mix all ingredients together with a silicone spatula until well combined. Form into a ball shape, these disposable kitchen gloves are handy for this. Wrap it in saran wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of one hour if possible to allow the flavors to blend together. Serve with crackers, pita chips, or vegetables.
This cheese ball can be made up to two days ahead of time.
Recipe Adapted from: PlainChicken.com
This looks so delicious Stephanie!! I mean I’m 99% sure that I could have that in one go, for lunch! 😀
Bacon and chives are two of my favorite flavors. This sounds and looks great!! Thanks for sharing, and happy FF!
It has bacon. It HAS to be amazing!
This is a great summer appetizer! Love easy with simple ingredients, especialy BACON!
YUM!! I love thiiisss! I’m totally going to try this with some of my homemade cream cheese!!! 😀
Ooooooh, can I have like 3? 🙂 My hubby is a ranch fanatic, so I know he would pretty much eat one all by himself 🙂 I love recipes that come together quickly and easily, yet are still crowd-pleasers!
This is a great stand by recipe that’s a cinch to put together. And it’s a sure crowd pleaser…I’m loving the bacon!
This looks yummy – now I better check out what ‘ranch dressing’ means (we don’t really have any ranchers here to ask ;-))
Cheese balls are a bit old fashioned but I LOVE them. So I must be old fashioned and that doesn’t bother me at all because obviously you are too. 🙂
You can never go wrong with a good cheeseball especially with bacon in it 🙂
I’m going to have to pass this idea on to my kids – they’re wild about ranch and I know they’ll love this!
Ohhh they will SOOO love this then, I am obsessed with it… kind of wish I never discovered it in some ways, ha! 🙂 I can only hope my guests dive into it too so that I don’t eat it all myself! 🙂 Thanks for visiting!
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Can this be frozen?
I haven’t frozen it myself, but you can freeze most types of cheese… However it does cause it to lose some of its flavor and texture. It’s definitely better to serve it fresh if you can! 🙂
I make this and roll in real bacon bits and also add some crushed pineapple to mix
It’s a huge hit
WHOA, the crushed pineapple in there sounds SOOO good, I’m definitely doing that next time- I agree, this cheese ball is a huge at parties!! THANKS for sharing that excellent tip!!! 🙂
Nice touch with the bacon and ranch
I am SO excited to try this for Thanksgiving this year! I am in college and volunteered to bring an appetizer (rather an actual dish). I am sure this will be a hit with my family! I am glad I found this recipe!
Quick question: Do you use a hand mixer to mix the ingredients? Or do you just use a spatula and let the cream cheese come to room temperature so that it is more malleable? This is my first cheese ball!
Hi Erica!! Ohhhhh this is going to be a BIG hit, I am sure of it!! 🙂 I actually think either method would be fine, just make sure you refrigerate the mixture again before you try to shape it, that way it’ll hold the shape!! 🙂 Enjoy, and Happy Thanksgiving!!!
It sounds divine! The directions says to mix scallions..doesn’t mention chives. Is this a typo error?
Hi Shirley! You can actually use either one, (I actually like green onions/scallions)- but I updated the recipe to be consistent, thank you for catching that and I hope you have a chance to make this, it’s SO good! 🙂
About how big do you think the portion sized balls should be? And what kind of crackers go best with this?
Hi Elizabeth! A half of a Tablespoon scoop works well for the individual sizes, and I find that since the cheese ball is so flavorful, a plainer type of cracker works well. I love the Carr’s Entertainment Cracker Collection for this!
I’m taking this to an ugly sweater Christmas gathering tomorrow.
Thanks for the recipe !! It’s delicious !! And I agree with a plain cracker or serve with veggies 😀
YAY!!! I’m so glad that you liked this! I could probably have it every day… yikes! 🤨
How far ahead can you make this without it losing its freshness?
Hi Saundra! Up to three days ahead of time! Enjoy!!
That’s the time frame I need!
Love it, great recipe! Thanks for sharing. I added some Franks Hot Sauce and more Cheddar Cheese (Sharp Cheddar) and it turned out great.
Excellent! I love your variation suggestions too! Thank you Dagestan! Happy Holidays!!!
You could use the pretzel sticks instead of toothpicks for the portioned out balls. I’ve done it before and it saves from wasting toothpicks. And it’s kinda like having it on a cracker too. Just a thought.
Hey Jen! I love that idea! I’m going to add that to the notes section of the recipe, thanks so much for sharing!
Easy, favorafull. I added more cheese but very good
Thank you Debra!!!! More cheese to anything is good in my book! Thank you for taking the time! 😁
Hi 😊 I am looking to make this cheeseball. Do you just add the packet of ranch or do you follow the directions on the packet of ranch dressing?
Just add the packet of ranch! 😁
I made this for a Church Christmas Party. Rave reviews from 40 people! I’m going to make it today for New Year’s Eve party. I’ll serve with assorted crackers.
WOOOOOO!!!! That’s what I love to hear! I’m so happy. It really is delicious, and addicting! Thank you so much for taking the time to let me know how it came out! Have a great time at the NYE party later!
Stephanie, Have you ever baked this recipe? I love warm cheesy dips. Just checking before I tried it. 🙂
Hi Deborah! Oh my gosh I haven’t and that’s a genius idea!! I would just wait on the green onions or chives until after it’s baked. I’d love to hear how this tastes if you try it- I am going to have to make a whole new post for a warm version!! You’re a genius!!!
This was amazing! I made it today and took to a July 4th party and it was a hit. This one is a keeper!
Hey Sarah! What a perfect 4th of July appetizer, nice and cool- and easy to make! I’m so glad that everyone enjoyed it. My husband and I make this for just the two of us sometimes, it’s just so good! 🙂 Thanks for sharing what you thought!
I make this cheese ball at least very week especially during football season love it.
Hi Sandra! I am so happy to hear that, and thank you so much for rating the recipe! I absolutely love this one too, it’s soooo easy, and I haven’t met a person who doesn’t absolutely love it! I also tried baking it once and it was amazing! 🙂 Enjoy Football season!!!!