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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Sherry
Finally made this for a Christmas gathering … it was a huge hit and delicious!!! So many of your recipes are a ‘favorite’ and ‘keeper’ at our home.
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Sherry! That is so sweet!
Edmund
Those bacon cheese balls look absolutely mouthwatering! The combination of crispy bacon, creamy cheese, and fresh herbs has me ready to dive in right through the screen. They seem perfect for a party appetizer or even a cozy night snack—delicious, bite-sized, and packed with flavor. I can imagine the smoky bacon and melty cheese blending perfectly. Definitely trying these out soon; they look like a crowd-pleaser that won’t last long on the plate!
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Edmund! Enjoy!
Silvia
This cheese ball was absolutely delightful! It’s perfect for gatherings and easy to prep ahead of time. Made it for the World Series but I can’t wait to try this recipe at my next holiday party.
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Silvia! I am so glad that you liked it!
Lorraine
This was amazing! I love cheese balls and adding in the bacon took it to the next level. Thanks for the recipe and sharing this.
Beth Pierce
My pleasure, Lorraine
Kim B
This bacon ranch cheese ball is the perfect appetizer for any gathering! I loved how easy and delicious it was to make. We will be making if often over the holidays.
Kristine
YUM! My husband loved this. Bacon, ranch, cream cheese. All his favorite foods. I’ll be making this for him, often! The best for gameday!
Lisa
This sound dangerous for my son-in-law. He would make this every game day or party…or weekend! Hahaha!
Ben
Boom! You cannot go wrong with cheese and ranch. I made this last night because it looked so good. No, I don’t have a party. I just wanted to eat it. LOL
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Ben! So glad that you likd it!
Claudette
This was such a great idea. I love a good cheeseball, and the ranch really makes it pop. Yummo!
Emily
I love a good cheese ball, especially to serve at a party! This is definitely one I’ll prepare next time I have people over, especially with all those nice cheeses and spices.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Emily! Enjoy!
Jennifer Prince
I haven’t made a cheese ball in so long. I definitely need to try to make this recipe. It sounds perfect!