Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball

Savory bacon bits, tangy Ranch seasoning, garlic, chives, and delicious cream cheese are the bases for this simple Bacon Ranch Cheeseball recipe. It’s an easy appetizer that’s fun to eat, and perfect for holiday parties!

Fun Fact: Cheeseball or Cheese Ball? Is the word cheeseball one or two words? It’s both! Who knew? Am I the only one who ponders these things? Cheeseball is correct in that it’s a compound word like “cheeseburger” and refers to the appetizer in which cheese is formed into a ball. Cheese ball is also widely used and accepted. Both are accurate when talking about food. I guess when it’s good, it’s received anyway, and now you know.

Our family loves a good cheeseball recipe. Now, we are partial to our mom’s Dried Beef Cheese Ball. It’s a classic cheeseball we grew up on with savory flavors of dried beef, onion, and garlic- and it’s scrumptious on a Town House cracker!! However, this Bacon Ranch Cheeseball is a close second. With fabulous flavors of bacon and Ranch, this cheeseball was bound to be a winner. It’s addictive as well. It’s excellent on a number of crackers, chips, and even vegetables!

How to Make a Cheeseball with Bacon and Ranch

This is a super simple recipe. It’s basically a dump-and-go recipe. Bake the bacon, soften the cream cheese, stir all the ingredients together, chill, and enjoy with your favorite crisp, cracker, or chip!

Ingredients for a Bacon Ranch Cheeseball

• 16 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
• 3 Tablespoons sour cream
  • Sour cream helps the cheeseball spread more easily when cold. It gives it a creamy texture.
• 1 ounce Ranch seasoning, 1 packet
  • Make sure to use the seasoning and not Ranch dressing.
• 6 slices of bacon, cooked and chopped into bite-sized pieces
• 1/4 cup green onions, chopped
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions for a Bacon Ranch Cheeseball

In a medium to large mixing bowl, cream together the softened cream cheese and sour cream. Pro Tips: One could forgo this step and blend all ingredients from the start. It’s a bit messy, though, and I like to ensure that my base of sour cream and cream cheese is well blended first. Some prefer a stand mixer over a hand mixer because cheeseballs are very thick to blend.

Then add in the Ranch seasoning, bacon pieces, chives, garlic powder, and cheddar cheese. Mix until well combined, scraping down the bowl if necessary.

Next, fill a bowl lined with plastic wrap with the cheeseball to help it form into a ball. Then, chill the cheeseball for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to incorporate. Pro Tip: While you can enjoy cheeseball immediately, it is better “aged.” Letting it chill for at least one hour blends the flavors, making it richer and more flavorful. My kids even prefer a day or two “old” cheeseball over a fresh cheeseball.

Finally, remove the cheeseball from the refrigerator, unwrap it, and serve it with crackers, chips, and/or veggies. Enjoy!

What crackers and chips do you serve with a Bacon Ranch Cheeseball?

• Town House Oven Baked Crackers
• Pita chips
• Pretzel Crisps
• Pita Crackers
• Any other brand butter round crackers
• Carrots, celery, sliced cucumbers

Storing Cheese Ball

This Bacon Ranch Cheeseball can be made up to 5 days before the party for maximum freshness. Wrap it well in plastic wrap or foil and a freezer bag to keep it from absorbing odors. Do not coat the cheese ball in nuts or other toppings until the day of the party or before freezing. Serve and enjoy!

Cheeseballs are great because they are easy to store and keep well for a long time. Store this Bacon Ranch cheeseball in plastic wrap or an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Since it’s uncoated, it will freeze well for up to 1-3 months. Thaw a frozen cheeseball in the refrigerator the day before the party.

More Great Appetizers for the Holidays

Chip Dips: Every party needs a great chip dip, even if it’s super simple. If you can get your hands on Chef seasoning, this Two-Ingredient Potato Chip Dip is a must for last-minute gatherings. Our Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Dip is a savory chip dip with a kick—a party-favorite dip, and perfect for holiday parties. Lastly, for a little something different, try this Chicken Jambalaya chip dip. It brings a Mexican flair to the party and is super yummy!

Hearty Finger Foods: Ham and Cheese Sliders are savory ham, melted cheese, and sweet Hawaiian rolls covered in a butter sauce. They are perfect for nibbling and have my mouth watering just thinking about them! This Sausage Bread recipe is great sliced and served around a conversation table. With rich flavors, melted cheese, and soft bread, this is a warm appetizer that warms the heart and soul!