Description
Savory Bacon Cheddar Ranch Cheese Ball blends creamy cheese with crispy bacon and zesty ranch seasoning. Guests will devour this crowd-pleasing appetizer that brings comfort and flavor to any gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
- 16 ounces (450 g) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup (100 g) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- ½ cup (120 g) bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 2 tbsps ranch seasoning mix (store-bought or homemade)
- ¼ cup (25 g) green onions, chopped (optional)
- 2 tbsps parsley, fresh and chopped (optional)
- ¼ cup (60 g) bacon, cooked and crumbled (for coating)
- ¼ cup (25 g) cheddar cheese, shredded (for coating)
- Crackers (for serving)
- Pretzels (for serving)
- Vegetable sticks (for serving)
Instructions
- Blend Mixture: Combine cream cheese, cheddar, ranch seasoning, bacon, and green onions in a mixing bowl, stirring until thoroughly integrated and smooth.
- Shape Formation: Using hands or a spatula, mold the mixture into a compact, uniform sphere, ensuring dense and even consistency.
- Chill Preparation: Wrap the cheese ball in plastic film and refrigerate for 1-2 hours to firm up and enhance flavor melding.
- Create Coating: Finely chop parsley, chives, and optional nuts in a shallow dish, preparing the exterior embellishment.
- Final Assembly: Remove chilled cheese ball, gently roll in herb-nut mixture to create a complete, textured outer layer.
- Serve and Enjoy: Place on a serving platter alongside crackers, breadsticks, or fresh vegetable crudités, allowing the cheese ball to soften slightly at room temperature before serving to maximize flavor and spreadability.
Notes
- Prevent Cheese Crumbling: Mix ingredients at room temperature to ensure smooth, creamy texture without lumps or cracking.
- Enhance Flavor Depth: Allow cheese ball to rest in refrigerator for full 90 minutes, letting flavors meld and develop rich, complex taste profile.
- Create Perfect Coating: Pat herb and nut mixture gently onto surface to ensure even, secure coverage without falling off when serving.
- Dietary Modification Options: Substitute bacon with turkey bacon or coconut bacon bits for lighter version; use low-fat cream cheese for reduced-calorie alternative.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 265
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg