By: Becky Hardin
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This Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball puts a delicious kick on the classic recipe we all know and love. Cream cheese, ranch, bacon, and more are combined in this tasty bacon cheese ball recipe for lots of flavor. It’s perfect as a Christmas party appetizer, New Year’s Eve appetizer, or for game day!
Table of Contents
Why We Love This Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball Recipe
Nothing is easier than an appetizer that lets the refrigerator do all the heavy lifting. This recipe is filled with flavor (what’s better than cheese and bacon?), and it’s really easy to make. This cheese ball recipe with bacon is perfect for any party, holiday, or occasion that requires you to feed guests, and it’s always a hit. Just add some crackers and let people dip away!
Variations on Bacon Cheddar Ranch Cheese Ball
The great thing about cheese balls is that you can really add in anything you want. I love the savory, tangy mix that the bacon and ranch add in. Plus the yogurt gives it a bit of extra creaminess. So yummy!
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How to Store and Reheat
You can store your bacon ranch cheese ball in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Just wrap it in plastic wrap.
How to Freeze
Whether you have leftovers or you just want to make your bacon ranch cheese ball well ahead of time, you can freeze it for up to 4 months. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then place it in a freezer-safe resealable bag. If you are just trying to prepare these ahead of time, I recommend freezing it before rolling it in the bacon crumbles. But it will still work just fine if they’re already on there.
Serving Suggestions
A cheese ball is such an easy thing to make, and it’s absolutely delicious! Serve it on a cheeseboard (next toBoursinandpimento cheese) with an array of crackers (try myMexican spice cheese crackers!),chips, pretzels, and vegetables, and everyone will devour it in a flash. It’s the most classic holiday appetizer!
How long can you leave a cheese ball out?
You can leave this cheese ball out of refrigeration for up to 2 hours. After 2 hours, I recommend placing it back into the refrigerator to keep it firm and fresh. You can extend this time by placing the cheese ball on a plate set in a bowl of ice.
How do you wrap a cheese ball?
To shape a cheese ball, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and roll it gently into a ball shape. You can use your fingers or the palms of your hands to gently shape it into other fun shapes if you like!
Why is my cheese ball runny?
Your cheese ball may become runny or wet if you add too many mix-ins. Keep it simple with dried herbs, and make sure to pat dry any fresh herbs before mixing them in.
More Cheese Ball Recipes To Try
- Classic Cheese Ball
- Pumpkin Cheese Ball
- Everything Bagel Cheese Ball
- Christmas Cheese Ball
- Mini Cheese Ball Bites
5-Star Review
“I love this recipe!! It’s great for any get-together & always a hit!” -Kristyn
Recipe
Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball Recipe
4.74 from 19 votes
Author: Becky Hardin
Prep: 10 minutes minutes
Total: 8 hours hours 10 minutes minutes
Serves8
Print Rate
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Any holiday or party will be so much better with this Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball on the table. It's easy to make, it's delicious, and it's cheeeeesy. Anything cheesy is a crowd-pleaser, so your guests will love this bacon cheese ball. Dig in!
Step-by-step photos can be seen below the recipe card.
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Ingredients
- ½ cup freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup freshly shredded Swiss Cheese
- ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt
- ½ ounce ranch seasoning (½ packet)
- 4 ounces cream cheese room temperature (½ brick)
- 1 pound crumbled cooked bacon divided
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
Recommended Equipment
Instructions
Combine the cheddar, Swiss, yogurt, Ranch seasoning mix, cream cheese, and one-quarter of the crumbled bacon in a mixing bowl. Mix the ingredients together with an electric mixer until well blended.
½ cup freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese, ¼ cup freshly shredded Swiss Cheese, ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt, ½ ounce ranch seasoning, 4 ounces cream cheese, 1 pound crumbled cooked bacon
Shape the cheese mixture into a ball, cover it with plastic wrap, and place it in a bowl just larger than the ball.
Refrigerate 8 hours or overnight.
After the cheese ball has firmed in the fridge, combine the remaining bacon crumbles and chopped parsley in a small mixing bowl.
¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
Roll the cheese ball in the bacon crumbles/parsley mixture, pressing slightly so the bacon will adhere to the cheese.
Return the cheese ball to the fridge until ready to serve with your favorite crackers and/or fresh vegetables.
Last step! Don’t forget to show me a pic of what you made! Upload an image or tag me @thecookierookie on Instagram!
Becky’s tips
- This Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball is best made one day ahead to give time for the flavors to meld.
- Feel free to use your favorite types of cheeses to make it your own!
- The cream cheese must be at room temperature or it will not mix smoothly.
- Don’t skip the crunchy coating; it provides a great contrast to the creamy spread.
- Try shaping your cheese ball into a football, pumpkin, Christmas tree, or log!
- Serve at room temperature for the best results.
Storage:Store this bacon ranch cheese ball tightly wrapped in plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to 4 months.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 366kcal (18%) Carbohydrates: 3g (1%) Protein: 23g (46%) Fat: 28g (43%) Saturated Fat: 12g (75%) Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g Monounsaturated Fat: 11g Trans Fat: 0.1g Cholesterol: 81mg (27%) Sodium: 1186mg (52%) Potassium: 329mg (9%) Fiber: 0.1g Sugar: 1g (1%) Vitamin A: 468IU (9%) Vitamin C: 2mg (2%) Calcium: 109mg (11%) Iron: 1mg (6%)
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How to Make a Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball Step by Step
Mix the Cheese Ball: Combine ½ cup of freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese, ¼ cup of freshly shredded Swiss Cheese, ¼ cup of plain Greek yogurt, ½ ounce of ranch seasoning, 4 ounces (½ brick) of cream cheese, and ¼ pound of crumbled cooked bacon in a mixing bowl. Mix the ingredients together with an electric mixer until well blended.
Shape and Chill: Shape the cheese mixture into a ball, cover it with plastic wrap, and place it in a bowl just larger than the ball. Refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight.
Make the Coating: After the cheese ball has firmed in the fridge, combine the remaining ¾ pound of bacon crumbles and ¼ cup of chopped fresh parsley in a small mixing bowl.
Roll and Serve: Roll the cheese ball in the bacon crumbles/parsley mixture, pressing slightly so the bacon will adhere to the cheese. Return the cheese ball to the fridge until ready to serve with your favorite crackers and/or fresh vegetables.
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