Bacon and Cheddar Cheese Ball

One thing in life is certain: you can never go wrong with bacon and cheese. When I have unexpected guests or need a crowd-pleasing appetizer, I can always count on my bacon cheddar cheese ball, made with creamy goat cheese, crispy bacon crumbs, fresh green onions, sharp cheddar, and sweet dried cranberries.

It takes me just 15 minutes to make a cheese ball, and the mix-ins and serving possibilities are endless. I usually go for the classic bacon-and-cheese combo and make a few cheese balls: one covered in chewy, sweet dried cranberries; another in chopped nuts (usually pecans, slivered almonds, or pine nuts); and another in fresh, chopped herbs. I like making them in advance, alongside Tuscan chicken pinwheels and deviled egg dip.

A cheese ball covered in sweet cranberries or slivered almonds is the perfect party appetizer. This quick and easy recipe delivers a burst of flavors and textures and disappears in minutes, so make two, or even more. This is one of the easiest and most delicious appetizers you can make. After testing it many times, I found it is very versatile, and you can play with sweet and savory combos and different mix-ins. I highly recommend using pomegranate arils instead of cranberries; it’s to die for!

Why you will love this recipe 

• Fast and easy: This luscious cheese ball takes just 15 minutes to prepare and is ready to serve in minutes. I like making it for the family whenever we plan game night or have a special celebration. 
• Looks fancy: I can make this look fancy even though it only costs me a few dollars. The topping you choose makes a difference. I use cranberries for a sweet, casual affair or chopped slivered almonds for a fancy look.
• Easy to customize: You can easily change it up with different cheeses, fillings, and toppings. You can make so many flavors; it’s like having several different cheese balls. 
• Save money: Instead of spending $10 or more on each cheese ball, I can make my own for just a few dollars. All I need is cheese, bacon, and dressing, plus my favorite seasonings like garlic and onions.

What you will need

• Cheese: Softened cream cheese binds everything together while keeping it soft enough to scoop. The mild, slightly tangy taste will not overpower the other flavors. I also add blue cheese for bold, tangy flavor and extra texture. Finely grated cheddar mixes smoothly into the soft, creamy cheese ball, creating a perfect balance of cheddar bursts throughout.
• Produce: Minced garlic adds bold garlic flavor that cuts through the cheese’s richness, and onion spreads the mild onion taste throughout the dense cheese. I also roll the cheese ball in dried cranberries for a bright, tart-sweet taste and visual appeal. They also help prevent the cheese ball from drying out. 
• Wet ingredients: For a rich, creamy, salty dressing with tangy buttermilk, white wine, and Greek yogurt, I use my homemade blue cheese dressing.
• Dry ingredients: Crumbled cooked bacon adds savory crunch and a rich, smoky flavor that contrasts with the thick, creamy cheese. I also toss in chopped slivered almonds for nutty flavor and extra crunch.

How to prepare

Beat the cheese: First, beat the cream cheese, blue cheese, cheddar cheese, and garlic in a large bowl until well blended.

Add mix-ins: Then, I stir in the almonds, onions, and bacon with a rubber spatula. 

Let it chill: After shaping it into a ball, I spread out a piece of plastic wrap, place the dried cranberries on it, and roll the cheese ball until it’s fully covered. Then, wrap the ball in plastic and chill until firm. 

Serve with crackers: Once firm, serve with crackers or chips.

Expert tip

The best cheese for cheese balls

The key to cheese balls is a soft, full-fat cream cheese base paired with a shredded, semi-firm, flavorful cheese, such as cheddar. I like medium cheddar because it has lots of flavor but is still soft. Many people use sharp cheddar, shredded finely so it blends well. Other good options are smoked gouda for a nutty, smoky taste or sharp, tangy feta. I also add a third soft cheese, blue cheese, for extra tang and texture, but it is optional. 

More tips to consider:

• Shred your own cheese. Pre-shredded cheese has cellulose added to it to keep it from clumping. 
• Don’t add too many mix-ins. This will prevent the cheese ball from sticking together. 
• Another reason your cheese ball can fall apart is not chilling it long enough. Chill it for about 2 to 4 hours before serving. 
• Use full-fat cream cheese. Low-fat cheese has more water, which can make your cheese ball watery. 
• Make sure the cheese is softened to room temperature. Otherwise, it will be too stiff to blend smoothly.

Recipe variations and add-ins:

• Crack cheese ball: Add a teaspoon of my homemade ranch seasoning mix to the cheese mixture for an addictively tangy blend of flavor.
• Everything bagel cheese ball: For everything bagel lovers, mix in garlic powder, onion powder, poppy seeds, and sesame seeds with a pinch of salt.
• Spicy cheese ball: Add a bit of red pepper flakes or cayenne for a spicy kick. 
• Slightly sweet cheese ball: To make this cheese ball sweeter, I add some brown sugar and cinnamon. 
• Toss everything in: If you want to add extra veggies, frors, and nuts, be careful not to add too much, as it can compromise the structure and make the cheese ball fall apart.

Serving suggestions:

I usually serve my homemade cheese ball with a variety of crackers such as round buttery Ritz, wheat thins, and club crackers. But they also go great with my air fryer veggie chips. These are so easy to make, and the kids really love them even though they are healthy. They take about 30 minutes, and you can use whatever veggies you like. Regular chopped veggies like carrot sticks, celery spears, and broccoli florets work well too. You would be surprised how easy it is to get kids to eat vegetables when they dip them in this delicious creamy cheese.

Or try these crispy air fryer pasta chips, made out of your favorite pasta noodles. They may not be as healthy as veggies, but they are deliciously crunchy. Fruits are another delicious dipper for this cheese ball. Try it with my air fryer apple chips, seasoned with brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. I also serve it with pretzels, pita chips, nuts, and dried bread. Be sure also to have some good wine to serve with your cheese. I prefer sparkling wine like prosecco or Sauvignon Blanc for its crisp, zesty flavor. 

How to store leftovers:

• Refrigerate: I store my leftover cheese ball wrapped in plastic, then in a zipper baggie, in the fridge for up to a week.    
• Freezing: Freezing is not recommended.

Frequently asked questions

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