Easy Classic Cheese Ball Recipe (2024)

The BEST classic Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball Recipe. This homemade creamy Cheese Ball is so easy to make and will become a must-have appetizer for parties and around the Holidays.

We have a shortlist of favorite party appetizers like Spinach Artichoke Dip, healthy Shrimp Cucumber Bites, and Stuffed Mushrooms. This cheeseball is sure to become a new favorite. It comes together fast and is packed with flavor.

Easy Classic Cheese Ball Recipe (1)

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Hey, hey! Valentina with Valentina’s Corner sharing our Cheese Ball Recipe.

Cheese Ball Recipe:

I love a good cheese ball at parties, and who doesn’t? Packed with bacon bits, nuts, shredded cheese and seasonings, this is the ULTIMATE appetizer recipe.

Not only is the cheese ball loaded with so much flavor, but it also takes just minutes to prepare and is so stunning when served.

Easy Classic Cheese Ball Recipe (2)

How to Make a Cheese Ball:

Making a cheese ball is SO EASY! Once you make a homemade cheese ball, you’ll never purchase store-bought again. You just can’t beat a homemade cheeseball!

  1. In a mixing bowl, combine all of the cheese ingredients until well incorporated: cream cheese and sour cream, bacon bits, shredded cheese, green onion, walnuts, poppy seeds, and seasonings.
  2. Finely chop the cheese, walnuts, green onion for the coating (or you can leave it chunky if that’s your preference).
  3. Shape cheese ball and coat generously with the topping mixture and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Cooks TIP: For easier mixing, first, beat the cream cheese and sour cream with a mixer, then stir in remaining ingredients with a spatula or wooden spoon until well incorporated.

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TIPS for the BEST Cheese Ball!

Though there’s not much that can go wrong when making a cheese ball, here are some added tips we found helpful:

  • If you don’t have Ranch seasoning, you can substitute the sour cream and Ranch seasoning with your favorite Ranch dressing instead. It is a little easier to form the ball with sour cream though since it is thicker.
  • The cream cheese MUST be at room temperature or you’ll have a really hard time mixing.
  • If you enjoy spicy food, add Hot Sauce or Sriracha to the mixture for a kick.
  • When serving the cheese ball, serve at room temp for a softer mixture that’s easier to spread or dip.
  • You can use your favorite cheese or a mixture of cheeses. Mild cheddar, sharp cheddar, four-cheese (Mexican), Colby Jack or Monterey Jack cheese are all great options. TIP: Purchase a block of cheese and shred it for better flavor without additives.

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How to Make Cheese ball in Advance?

We love make-ahead appetizers that taste just as good or better when made in advance. There are two ways to prepare the cheese ball in advance and both work great!

  • Option 1: Prepare the mixture and refrigerate it in a bowl. Shape and coat before serving.
  • Option 2: Prepare and shape the mixture and cover with plastic wrap, then refrigerate. Coat before serving.

Ideas How to Shape a Cheese Ball-

You don’t have to limit yourself to only a classic cheese ball shape (as we have in this recipe). Here are some other creative ideas for shaping the cheese ball. The décor can vary, depending on the shape and event-

  • SPORTS- An oval football for football parties, or a basketball for finals, etc.
  • FALL- A pumpkin for fall parties.
  • CHRISTMAS- A reindeer, snowman, wreath or tree for Christmas.
  • THANKSGIVING- A turkey for around Thanksgiving theme.
  • LOG- You can also just shape the mixture into a log instead of a ball for any occasion.

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What to Serve with a Cheese Ball:

Cheese balls are classically served with crackers of choice, but they can be served with so many different sides. Here are some other serving options for a cheese ball.

  • Vegetables (carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes or celery)
  • Pretzels or Pretzel Crisps
  • Bagels if serving for brunch
  • Crostini
  • Pita chips
  • Salami or turkey
  • Tortilla chips
  • Your favorite crackers
  • Olives or roasted peppers

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How Long Will Cheese Balls Last?

A cheese ball can last up to 5 days, if refrigerated. Be sure to keep it tightly wrapped.

Try These Other Party Appetizers:

These are the appetizers that always disappear fast and get rave reviews. Just like this cheese ball recipe, most of these appetizers can be made ahead to make your party planning even easier!

  • Pico De Gallo – learn the secret to the best pico!
  • Ceviche – authentic and irresistibly delicious
  • Deviled Eggs – with bacon and a surprise ingredient
  • Buffalo Chicken Dip- Classic dip with a twist
  • Chunky Guacamole- A favorite at parties.

Cheese Ball Recipe

4.98 from 261 votes

Author: Valentina Ablaev

Easy Classic Cheese Ball Recipe (7)

The easiest and absolute BEST cheese ball recipe. Cream cheese with Ranch, bacon bits, nuts, and cheese - so GOOD! Serve the cheese ball as an appetizer for potlucks and around the Holidays.

SavePinReviewPrint

Prep Time: 10 minutes mins

Cook Time: 8 minutes mins

Total Time: 18 minutes mins

Ingredients

Servings: 16 servings

  • 8 oz bacon, chopped, divided
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 16 oz cream cheese, room temp
  • 1/2 cup Mexican cheese, shredded (4 cheese blend)
  • 1 1/4 cups cheddar cheese, shredded and divided
  • 1/4 cup green onions, chopped and divided
  • 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped and divided
  • 3 Tbsp Ranch seasoning
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ¼ tsp ground black pepper
  • 1 1/4 tsp poppyseeds, divided

Instructions

  • Cut bacon into small pieces and sauté until cooked. Once cooled, set aside 1/4 of the bacon for the topping.

  • In a bowl, add 3/4 of the bacon, 1/4 cup sour cream, 16 oz cream cheese, 1/2 cup four-cheese blend, 1 cup cheddar cheese, 3 Tbsp green onions, 1/4 cup walnuts, 3 Tbsp Ranch seasoning, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/4 tsp pepper, and 1 tsp poppy seeds. With a wooden spatula, mix all ingredients until well combined.

  • Finely chop the remaining 1/4 of bacon, 1/4 cup cheddar cheese, 1 Tbsp green onion, and 1/4 cup walnuts. Mix together with the 1/4 tsp poppy seed. Spread this mixture onto a cutting board.

  • Form a ball out of the cheese mixture and roll the cheese ball over the toppings to fully coat and shape into an even ball as it's coated. Serve right away or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Nutrition Per Serving

182kcal Calories4g Carbs8g Protein15g Fat7g Saturated Fat38mg Cholesterol667mg Sodium73mg Potassium1g Fiber1g Sugar460IU Vitamin A1mg Vitamin C100mg Calcium1mg Iron

Nutrition Facts

Cheese Ball Recipe

Amount per Serving

Calories

182

% Daily Value*

Fat

15

g

23

%

Saturated Fat

7

g

44

%

Cholesterol

38

mg

13

%

Sodium

667

mg

29

%

Potassium

73

mg

2

%

Carbohydrates

4

g

1

%

Fiber

1

g

4

%

Sugar

1

g

1

%

Protein

8

g

16

%

Vitamin A

460

IU

9

%

Vitamin C

1

mg

1

%

Calcium

100

mg

10

%

Iron

1

mg

6

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American

Keyword: cheese ball

Skill Level: Easy

Cost to Make: $$

Calories: 182

If you make this recipe, I’d love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #natashaskitchen

Valentina Ablaev

Easy Classic Cheese Ball Recipe (9)

I am Valentina, the creator behind the food blog Valentina’s Corner where I share our family’s favorite recipes. When I am not in the kitchen, I enjoy spending quality time with my husband and 5 children. We invite you to join us on our blogging journey!

Read more posts by Valentina

Easy Classic Cheese Ball Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is cheese ball made of? ›

Cheese balls are traditionally made with two kinds of cheese – cream cheese (or another soft cheese like quark cheese, mascarpone or ricotta) and a grated semi-soft or semi-firm cheese like cheddar, colby cheese, monterey jack cheese, or muenster.

How long will a cheese ball last in the refrigerator? ›

Assuming you are using recently purchased ingredients, your cheeseball should last about 2 weeks in the refrigerator! To freeze: To freeze the cheeseball, wrap it well in plastic wrap (without nuts) and place it in a freezer safe ziplock bag. Freeze for up to 1 month.

Why is my cheese ball too soft? ›

If your cheese ball is too soft to form into a round ball, it might need some more time in the freezer. Chilling your cream cheese ball helps all the ingredients mesh together & makes the cheese firm up so it's easy to shape into a ball.

What are the ingredients in current cheese balls? ›

Corn Grits, Rice Grits, Edible Vegetable Oil (Palmolein Oil), Cheddar Cheese Powder, Iodized Salt, Sugar, Maltodextrin (Ins 1400), Flavour Enhancer (Ins 621), Food Color (Ins 110) And Natural Cheese Flavour. Manufacturer Name: Yashoda Foods Pvt Ltd. Tilottama 15, Rupandehi, Nepal.

Is cheese ball good for health? ›

Cheese balls are healthy? Beyond delicious, the cheese balls have a good balance of nutrients, with high-quality carbs and fat, rich in proteins, minerals, and vitamins. So, we can certainly say it's a healthy and nutritious snack.

Are UTZ cheese balls baked or fried? ›

REAL CHEESE: The Utz Cheese Balls are made from real cheese and are baked for a taste of irresistibly cheesy goodness.

Should cheese balls be served at room temperature? ›

When you've taken the cheese ball out of the refrigerator and rolled it in its coating, let it sit out at room temperature for 15 to 20 minutes before serving. This will take the chill off of it so it's not only more spreadable but also tastes better — all those flavors come alive when they're not so cold.

Can you freeze a cheese ball for later use? ›

Cheese balls freeze quite well. Again, it's best to wrap the cheese ball in one layer of plastic wrap, then one layer of aluminum foil. Freeze for up to four weeks. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.

What is the best cheese for club crackers? ›

Building a better cracker and cheese tray

Aged parmesan, sharp white cheddar, gouda, manchego, muenster, burrata, gorganzola, and feta are some of our favorites. You might also include a cheese dip made from melted asadero cheese, for example. Crackers and bread. Again, variety is the key.

Can you leave a cheese ball out? ›

Don't leave cream cheese out more than about two hours unrefrigerated, please, but the second cheese can sit out for about four hours; just keep them all covered and away from a hot stove or running dishwasher.

What do you eat with a cheese ball? ›

Perhaps the most classic cheeseball combo includes port wine, cheddar, and pecans. Set out crackers and a cheese knife, and the cheese ball is ready to serve.

How to fix a salty cheese ball? ›

Add an Acidic Ingredient

It won't reduce the sodium level of your dish, but adding an acidic ingredient, such as lemon juice, vinegar, or even a tomato product, can neutralize the saltiness of a dish. Start with a dash or a squeeze, stir well to combine, and give it a taste before adding any more.

How do you keep cheese stretchy? ›

moist. Sorry, we don't love that word either, but moisture is key to getting that stretchy finish. If you're cooking something in a pan, like grilled cheese, pop the top on the pan and let the sandwich steam a bit before going for the photo op.

What are Cheetos cheese balls made of? ›

Corn, Canola Oil Whey Powder (Milk), Wheat Flour, Cheese Powder (Milk), Salt, Flavour Enhancer (621), Mineral Salt (Potassium Chloride), Maltodextrin, Flavours Natural Colours (Paprika Extract, Turmeric), Food Acid (Lactic Acid).

What are cheese puff balls made of? ›

Cheese puffs, cheese curls, cheese balls, cheese ball puffs, cheesy puffs, or corn curls are a puffed corn snack, coated with a mixture of cheese or cheese-flavored powders. They are manufactured by extruding heated corn dough through a die that forms the particular shape.

Are cheese balls healthy? ›

Are cheese balls healthy? Cheese balls can be a tasty snack, but they are not considered to be a healthy choice. They are often high in calories, saturated fat, and sodium, which should be consumed in moderation.

What are Utz cheese balls made of? ›

Corn Meal, Vegetable Oil (Contains One or More of the Following: Cottonseed Oil, Corn Oil, Sunflower Oil or Canola Oil), Whey, Maltodextrin, Cheese (Semisoft and Cheddar [Pasteurized Milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Enzymes]), Milkfat, Salt, Whey Protein Concentrate, Mono and Diglycerides, Buttermilk Solids, Natural Flavor, ...

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