This Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball has a delicious creamy ranch base with plenty of crisp smoked bacon bits, sharp cheddar, fresh green onions, and sweet pecans. Serve it with pretzel twists, assorted crackers, or crostini. This make-ahead appetizer is a cinch to put together and a real crowd-pleaser.
Nothing goes better or faster at any party than a delicious classic creamy cheese ball. They are always a hit and should be formed at least 24 hours in advance. The cheese needs time to chill and mold into a nice round ball so it is sturdy when you roll it through all the ingredients that make up its coating. I love to serve them at my parties with crab rangoon dip, sausage stuffed mushrooms, and ham and cheese pinwheels.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Cream cheese: for the best flavor, use full-fat cream cheese.
- Cheese: sharp, white, or smoked cheddar
- Sour cream: again, for the best flavor, use full-fat sour cream
- Ranch dressing mix: found in the dressing aisle at most grocery stores
- Bacon: smoked bacon preferably, crispy cooked and coarsely chopped
How To Make a Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball
Using a stand or hand mixer on medium speed, beat the cream cheese until smooth and creamy with no lumps. Add the cheddar cheese, sour cream, Worcestershire Sauce, ranch seasoning, garlic powder, and dried parsley. Turn the mixer to stir, and add half of the bacon and half of the green onion.
Lay out a large piece of plastic wrap. Spoon the cream cheese mixture into a ball shape and bring up the sides of the plastic wrap to cover the cheese ball. For best results, refrigerate the ball overnight or for up to 4 days. Place it in the coldest part of the fridge to firm it up, and roll it in the toppings.
When you are 20 minutes away from serving, spread your toppings on a shallow plate. Remove the ball from the refrigerator and carefully unwrap it. Gently roll the cheeseball through the chopped pecans, bacon, and green onions.
What To Serve With It
- Assorted crackers
- Pretzels, including sticks and crisps
- Crostini
- Pita Chips
- Apple and pear slices
- Carrot and celery sticks
- Bagel chips
Preparation Tips
- Take the chopped ingredients for the topping and sort them individually in separate sandwich bags. Pecans are best stored at room temperature and the bacon and green onions in the refrigerator.
- Don’t get too hung up on molding this into the perfect ball. It always works out, and there will be several opportunities to shape it more.
- I have always found it best to refrigerate this bacon ranch cheese ball recipe for at least 24 hours. However, I have done it in a few hours by not softening the cream cheese quite as much, not working it as much with the mixer, and by cutting the sour cream in half.
- Do not roll the cheeseball in the toppings until 20 minutes before serving. If you know it will be several days, hold up on cooking and chopping the bacon and the green onions and pecans.
Storage
Store the cheese ball well-wrapped and in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Although the crunchy topping will have lost its crunch, it will still be delicious.
To freeze, double-wrap it in plastic wrap and store it in a freezer zipper bag. It can be frozen for up to one month, but keep in mind that green onions do not freeze well, so you will want to roll them in green onions right before serving.
More Appetizer Recipe
Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 (8 ounce) boxes cream cheese softened to room temperature
- 1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese finely grated
- 2 tablespoons sour cream
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 1 ounce package ranch seasoning or ranch dressing mix
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 8 slices crispy cooked bacon coarsely chopped reserve half
- 1/3 cup finely chopped green onions reserve half
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Using a stand with the paddle attachment or hand mixer on a medium speed work up the cream cheese until is smooth and creamy with no lumps. Add cheddar cheese, sour cream, Worcestershire Sauce, ranch seasoning, dried parsley, and garlic powder. Turn the mixer to stir and add half of the chopped bacon and half of the chopped green onions.
- Spoon the cheese into a ball shape on a large piece of plastic wrap. Bring up the sides of the plastic wrap to cover the cheese ball. Use the wrapping process to help shape the cheese into a ball. Refrigerate the ball for at least several hours up to overnight.
- Place reserved bacon, reserved green onions, and pecans on a shallow plate. Remove the ball from the refrigerator and carefully unwrap it. Gently roll the cheese ball through the toppings on the plate. Place it on a serving platter with assorted pretzels, crackers, or crostini.
Notes
- Take the chopped ingredients for the topping and sort them individually in separate sandwich bags. Pecans are best stored at room temperature and the bacon and green onions in the refrigerator.
- Don’t get too hung up on molding this into the perfect ball. It always works out, and there will be several opportunities to shape it a little more.
- I have always found it best to refrigerate this bacon ranch cheese ball recipe for at least 24 hours. However, I have done it in a few hours by not softening the cream cheese quite as much, not working it as much with the mixer, and by cutting the sour cream in half.
- Do not roll the cheeseball in the toppings until 20 minutes before serving. If you know it will be several days, hold up on cooking and chopping the bacon and the green onions and pecans.
Nutrition
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Clarice
Wow! This looks delicious and would love to try it. We usually just have the regular cheese ball and adding bacon is definitely an awesome way to level it up. Can’t wait to try it.
Sonia
I love cheese, and I love bacon. This is right up my street. I can’t wait to try this.
Paula
I may have to try this recipe using tempeh as a bacon substitute for the holidays.
Bedabrata
Great cheese ball with a ton of flavor. Thanks for the great recipe. We really loved it.
Dominique
This was so good! I am going to make it again at Thanksgiving, thank you so much for sharing~
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine!
Rosey
Smart to make the cream cheese room temperature. I’m glad you mentioned that tip.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Rosey!
Mary
We loved the cheese ball. I made it this last weekend for a movie night with friends. They devoured it. I had hoped to have leftovers but this was not the case.
tweenselmom
This is a great cheeseball! Every time I make it everyone loves it! Thanks for the great recipe!
Chloe
okay these sound so fun! I love serving cheese boards, but this is such a fun way to spice it up! My in-laws would probably love these!
Alita
This is a great crowd-pleaser. Every party needs a great crowd-pleasing appetizer. Every time I make it everyone loves it! Thanks for the great recipe!
Tiffany
Oh wow this is the perfect thing to dip a wheat thin in. I have to make this!
Jacque
Perfect for any gathering! These would be perfect for gatherings, potlucks, and events. Pass me the crackers I can’t wait to enjoy this myself.
Maggie
No doubt this will be a huge hit at my house!
katerina
All my favorite flavors in one!! YUM! Definitely gonna try this, this weekend!
Dorothy
I could make an entire meal out of one of these babies! Give me all the bacon, ranch, and cheese!
Susie
I always love serving cheese balls at parties and this one is no exception! Looking forward to enjoying this with company this weekend!