Bacon-Ranch Cheese Ball

I’ve got another easy and DELICIOUS recipe for holiday entertaining! Cheese balls are always a hit at parties (check out my very popular Mini Bacon Cheese Balls and my holiday Dried Cranberry and Nut Cheeseball). The recipe I’m sharing today is an extra bacon-y version of my go-to ranch cheese ball recipe. If you’re a bacon or ranch lover (or both), this is the cheese ball dreams are made of, and will be a staple appetizer for entertaining. I developed this recipe as part of the Allrecipes Allstars Tastemakers program. Rate, review, and photograph my Bacon-Ranch Cheese Ball recipe on Allrecipes here, or scroll down for the full recipe, along with cooking tips.

More party appetizers like this cheese ball with bacon

• Quick and Easy Party Appetizers with Four Ingredients or Less
• Crock Pot Party Meatballs
• Cranberry-Brie Bites
• Mushroom-Gruyere Tartlets
• Honey-Walnut Brie Bites
• Feta and Spinach Tartlets
• Garlic and Herb Baked Camembert
• Bacon-Ranch Cheese Ball
• Fall-Spiced Mini Apple-Cream Cheese Turnovers
• Pear, Bacon, Queso Bites
• Brown Sugar BBQ Mini Sausages
• Tater Tot Mini Cheeseburger Bites
• Loaded BBQ Pulled Pork Tater Tots Cups
• Easy Buffalo Chicken Bites
• Instant Pot Feta, Spinach, and Artichoke Dip
• Air Fryer Bacon-Wrapped Scallops with Sriracha Mayo
• Bacon-Wrapped Teriyaki Turkey Meatballs
• Vegan Jalapeno Poppers
• Salmon Croquettes
• Chili Cheese Dog Bites
• Fried Tomatillo Bites with Chipotle Remoulade
• Jalapeno Bruschetta
• Bacon and Shrimp Rangoons

What you need to make this bacon cheddar ranch cheese ball

To make this bacon cheddar ranch cheese ball recipe, you’ll need the following:

• 8 slices of bacon (as a shortcut you can use the store-bought real bacon bits and pieces from the pouch – not the dried kind in the jar)
• 2 (8-ounce) packages of cream cheese, softened
• 2 cups of shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
• 1 (1-ounce) package of dry ranch dressing mix
• 1 teaspoon dried minced onion
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• Plastic wrap
• ½ cup minced fresh chives
• Crackers for serving (I personally like a combo of Ritz and Triscuits, but Sociables and Club Crackers work great as well)

Optional additional toppings (in addition to the bacon and chives):

• Chopped pecans, walnuts, almonds, or pistachios
• Toasted sesame seeds
• Paprika
• Dried dill weed
• Dehydrated onion flakes

How to make a bacon ranch cheese ball

To make this bacon ranch cheese ball recipe, start by cooking your bacon. Place the bacon in a large skillet and cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until evenly browned and crispy (about 10 minutes). Drain the bacon slices on a paper towel-lined plate and allow to cool. When cool enough to handle, crumble the bacon slices.

In a medium bowl, mix together the softened cream cheese, shredded Cheddar cheese, ranch dressing mix, dried minced onion, garlic powder, and half of the crumbled bacon until well combined. Place the other half of crumbled bacon in the refrigerator until ready to use.

Form the cheese mixture into a round ball (I find it helpful to use plastic wrap while shaping it). Wrap the ball completely in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

After the chilling time, place the remaining crumbled bacon on a plate and stir in the minced chives. Remove the plastic wrap from the cheese ball and roll the ball in the bacon and chive mixture, lightly pressing the topping to the bacon ranch cheese ball so it sticks.

Place the coated bacon cheddar ranch cheese ball on a serving dish and surround with crackers for dipping. I personally like a combo of Ritz and Triscuits, but Sociables and Club Crackers work great as well.

Trust me when I say there won’t be a single bite of this left at the end of the party! Here’s the Bacon-Ranch Cheese Ball recipe! Enjoy, and be sure to pin this one so you can use it for any holiday or party!