Bacon Cheddar Ranch Cheese Ball Recipe
This Bacon Cheddar Ranch Cheese Ball combines creamy cream cheese with sharp cheddar, zesty ranch dressing, and crispy bacon crumbles to create a perfect appetizer crowd-pleaser. Enhanced with garlic, chives, and walnuts for texture and flavor, it’s ideal for parties, holiday gatherings, or snack time. This no-cook recipe is simple to assemble but packs a punch of savory taste that pairs wonderfully with buttery crackers.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes (for cooking bacon)
- Total Time: 2 hours 25 minutes (including chilling time)
- Yield: Approximately 12 appetizer servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese Ball Base
- 16 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
- 3 tablespoons bottled ranch dressing (preferably Hidden Valley Ranch original)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 3 tablespoons chopped chives, divided
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, finely shredded
Mix-Ins and Coating
- 12 ounces center-cut bacon, cooked and crumbled (yields about ¾ cup bacon crumbles), divided
- 1 cup walnuts, finely chopped
To Serve
- Butter crackers, such as RITZ brand
Instructions
- Prepare the bacon: Cook the center-cut bacon until crisp, either by frying in a skillet or baking in the oven. Once cooked, crumble the bacon and set aside. Reserve about half for mixing into the cheese ball and the rest for coating.
- Mix the cheese ball base: In a large bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, ranch dressing, garlic powder, kosher salt, black pepper, and 2 tablespoons of chopped chives. Stir until smooth and well mixed.
- Add cheddar and bacon: Fold in the finely shredded sharp cheddar cheese and about half of the crumbled bacon into the cream cheese mixture. Mix gently but thoroughly to evenly distribute the ingredients.
- Shape the cheese ball: Using your hands or a spoon, form the mixture into a compact ball or oval shape. Make sure it holds together firmly.
- Prepare the coating: In a small bowl, combine the finely chopped walnuts, remaining chopped chives, and the rest of the bacon crumbles.
- Coat the cheese ball: Roll the cheese ball in the walnut, chive, and bacon mixture, pressing gently so the coating sticks evenly all around the outside.
- Chill: Wrap the cheese ball tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow flavors to meld and the ball to firm up.
- Serve: Remove from the fridge about 15 minutes before serving. Place the cheese ball on a serving platter and offer with butter crackers such as RITZ for spreading and dipping.
Notes
- Make sure the cream cheese is softened to room temperature to ensure easy mixing.
- Chilling the cheese ball before serving helps it hold shape and enhances the flavor blend.
- You can substitute walnuts with pecans if desired.
- For a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chopped jalapeños to the cheese mixture.
- The cheese ball keeps well refrigerated for up to 3 days; bring to room temperature before serving.
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Find it online: https://busyrecipe.com/bacon-cheddar-ranch-cheese-ball-recipe/