Kirbie's Cravings

Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball Dip

This bacon ranch cheese ball is an easy appetizer or snack for parties, holidays and game days.a bacon coated cheeseball.

I’ve always wanted to make a cheese ball. I don’t know why I waited for so long because it’s really easy and stress-free, which is what I want in a lazy weekend appetizer. And it makes a great presentation, especially when covered in bacon bits.

With football season in full effect, this is a great appetizer to eat while watching. Or if you are like me, you just pretend to watch so you can make and eat these fun snacks. It would also be great for Thanksgiving or for a Christmas party.

This bacon ranch cheese ball is easy to make in about 15 minutes, but it does need time to chill for a few hours before you serve it.

Ingredients

  • Room temperature cream cheese
  • Ranch dressing mix
  • Shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • Chopped scallions or green onions
  • Finely chopped bacon

Cheeseball Instructions

Place the cream cheese in a food processor. For the ranch seasoning, start by adding ½ to ¾ of the package. Process until the mixture is smooth. Give it a taste and if you think it needs more seasoning add the rest of the ranch.

Add the cheese and scallions and pulse a few times until they are incorporated. Scoop the cream cheese mixture onto a  sheet of plastic wrap and shape it into a ball.

Chill it for one to two hours in the fridge.

Before you serve it, unwrap the ball and roll it in the chopped bacon until it’s evenly coated.

If you don’t have a food processor, you can use a stand mixer with a paddle attachment or mix the cheese mixture in a large bowl with a hand mixer.

Serving Tips

There are a lot of different things you can add on the side:

  • Tortilla chips
  • Pita chips
  • Different kinds of crackers
  • Veggie sticks like carrots and celery sticks
  • Pretzel sticks or pretzel twists
  • Thin baguette slices

the cheese mixture wrapped in plastic wrap.

Variations

There are easy changes you can make to this recipe if you want to try different flavors:

  • Instead of coating it in bacon, coat it in finely chopped pecans or walnuts. They will taste even better if you toast them first.
  • Change the cheddar cheese for pepper jack, Parmesan cheese, Gruyere, or other shredded cheese you like.
  • Mix some chopped fresh herbs like parsley or chives into the cream cheese mixture.

chopped cooked bacon.

Making it Ahead and Storage

This is a great make-ahead appetizer because you can mix and form the cheese ball and keep it in the refrigerator a few days in advance. This helps it firm up and also allows the flavors to develop. Just make sure to wrap it tightly and don’t coat it in the bacon until you are ready to serve it.

Before you serve it, unwrap the ball and roll it in the chopped bacon until it’s evenly coated. Serve it with chips, crackers, or vegetable sticks.

a chip with cheese on it.

I’ll definitely make this bacon ranch cheese ball recipe again.

More Party Appetizers

Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball

Servings: 16
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
This easy cheese ball dip is a perfect game day appetizer with a cool presentation.

Ingredients

  • 2 (8-oz) packages cream cheese
  • 1 (1-oz) packet Ranch seasoning and dressing mix
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded
  • 2 tbsp chopped scallions
  • 6 strips of cooked bacon finely chopped to small bits

Instructions

  • In a food processor, add cream cheese and Ranch seasoning. If you prefer to eat less salty, I recommend not adding the entire seasoning packet and instead add 1/2 to 3/4 of it. Process until smooth.
  • Add in cheddar cheese and scallions. Pulse a few times to mix in.
  • Scoop out cheese mix and put onto a sheet of plastic wrap. Use the plastic wrap to help gather and shape the cheese into a ball. Refrigerate for 1-2 hours until cheese ball becomes more solid.
  • Roll cheese ball in bacon bits until completely covered. Serve with chips, vegetables, crackers, etc.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.06of recipe, Calories: 182kcal, Carbohydrates: 4g, Protein: 4.7g, Fat: 16.3g, Saturated Fat: 8.5g, Sodium: 4mg, Sugar: 1.3g, NET CARBS: 4

The nutrition information provided are only estimates based on an online nutritional calculator. I am not a certified nutritionist. Please consult a professional nutritionist or doctor for accurate information and any dietary restrictions and concerns you may have.

Did you make this recipe?I'd love to see it! Mention @KirbieCravings and tag #kirbiecravings!

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2 comments on “Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball Dip”

  1. Mine is very similar except I mix the bacon into the ball and then cover it with pecans. Definitely one of my favorite potluck offerings!