This is the BEST appetizer and easy Cheese Ball Recipe! Cream cheese, cheddar, bacon, and ranch dressing combine giving you a delicious and easy holiday appetizer!
I am the biggest sucker for appetizers. ESPECIALLY dips made of cheese. We started making this super easy cheese ball recipe a few years ago and it has become a staple in our home around the holidays! Why?
It is so stinken good. A ranch dressing packet adds a tangy flavor that is out of this world. Pair that with real bacon crumbles and cheddar cheese… You have one crazy good appetizer or snack recipe!
Recipe Features:
- Quick and Easy: This recipe comes together in just 10 minutes!
- Make Ahead: You can make this up to two days in advance!
- Easy to Customize: You can add or take out ingredients based on your tastes!
Step by Step Instructions:
Another winning part of this recipe is the tiny ingredient list! You only need SIX ingredients! Even better? It takes less than 10 minutes to put together.
- Cream cheese
- Cheddar cheese
- Ranch dressing mix
- Sour cream
- Bacon
- Green onion
For a full list of ingredients and their measurements see the recipe card below.
Step by Step Instructions:
- Combine all of the ingredients into a mixing bowl. Stir until fully incorporated. Set aside.
- Place a piece of plastic wrap into a large bowl. Transfer the cheese mixture into the wrap and bowl, using the wrap to help form into a ball.
- Chill for at least 4 hours, or overnight, until ready to serve.
Optional: You can always roll the cheese ball in toasted pecans or bacon crumbles. We opted out of this option due to a nut allergy.
Because this recipe is SO easy, you really can’t mess it up. Just follow the simple instructions. However, I do have a few tips and tricks for making this even better!
Tips and FAQs:
Tips for homemade cheese balls:
Make it ahead of time. The longer this has to chill, the better the flavor will be! The ranch packet gives it a very tangy flavor that can be overpowering at first. Letting it have some time helps all of the flavors blend and combine even better.
Use plastic wrap to form the ball. I briefly mention this in the instructions, but I use a bowl and plastic wrap to help give this it’s iconic ball shape. It’s super simple and takes less than a few minutes!
Get creative with your mix-in’s! You can add nuts, dried berries, and so many other things. We like this specific combo but have been known to improvise when needed. Toasted pecans are always a hit!
How long can a cheese ball stay out?
Two hours. This is a pretty standard rule for any perishable food item. Two hours is about the time you want to consider storing or disposing of your leftovers.
How long do homemade cheese balls last?
Two weeks. This is only true IF you leave out the bacon and store it properly in an air tight container in the refrigerator. If you add the bacon to your cheese ball, the suggested time will be 4 to 5 days.
Related Recipes:
Like this recipe? You will love my:
The Best Cheese Ball Recipe
Ingredients
- 16 oz cream cheese
- 1 3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 (1oz) ranch dressing mix packet
- 3 tablespoons sour cream
- 5 pieces bacon cooked and crumbled
- 2-3 tablespoons green onion chopped
Instructions
- Combine all of the ingredients into a mixing bowl. Stir until fully incorporated. Set aside.
- Place a piece of plastic wrap into a large bowl. Transfer the cheese mixture into the wrap and bowl, using the wrap to help form into a ball.
- Chill for at least 4 hours, or overnight, until ready to serve.
Notes
Nutrition
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Comments & Reviews
Carol says
I love it
It was quick and easy
I tried to roll it everything seasoning
because my friend is allergic to nuts
It is perfect
Thank you
Jesseca says
What a wonderful idea to roll it in everything seasoning! I’ll have to give that a try.
Doris hinshaw says
U can roll the cheese ball in equal amount of chili pepper and paprika cover the he whole cheese ball in this also grate amounts of fresh garlic in the ball mixture our family love this
Jesseca says
Hi Doris, that sounds like an interesting version of this recipe. I’ll have to give it a try!
Presley says
Hi! This recipe was very good but I can’t lie I’m a little confused about the calories. Is one serving 315 calories? Because the ball is most definitely not 24 grams so therefore 1 gram couldn’t be 315 calories? Or am I just silly.
Jesseca says
Hi Presley, I am so sorry about that! There was definitely something off with the calorie count. I recently switched recipe cards and it looks like something messed up in the transfer. I just recalculated and believe this is more true to the correct count.
Granite State Confusion says
It is probably just me but the The Best Cheese Ball recipe is a little confusing. It calls for
1-3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 1oz ranch dressing mix packet
Do I add 1 3/4 cup of shredded cheddar cheese or do I add (1) 3/4 cup of shredded cheddar cheese? For the 1 1oz ranch dressing mix packet, do I add (1) 1oz of ranch dressing mix or?
Thank you in advance
Jesseca says
The recipe is fairly straightforward. It’s 1 and 3/4 cup of cheese plus one 1oz packet of ranch seasoning.
Granite State Confusion says
Thank you Jessica for the clarifications to both of my questions as well as, thank you for making the slight measurement clarifications to both of the ingredients in the recipe itself. Happy New Year!
Jesseca says
Happy New Year!
Dawn says
Hi. Thanks for your recipe. I haven’t tried it yet but am looking forward to it. Do you know if this can be frozen for later?
Thanks! Dawn
Jesseca says
Hi Dawn, according to a little online research, you should be able to freeze a cheese ball. From what I read, the best way to do this is to wrap the cheese ball in a layer of plastic wrap and a layer of foil. When you are ready to use it, thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
I hope this helps.