Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball
This cheese ball is packed with crispy bacon and ranch flavor. I roll the cheese ball in crackers before serving for a pretty presentation, extra flavor, and loads of crunch.
Servings 12
Calories 310kcal
Ingredients
- 16 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar divided
- 1 1/2 cups crumbled cooked bacon divided
- 1 packet ranch dip powder
- 1 tablespoon chopped chives
- crackers and fresh veggies, for serving
Instructions
- Add the cream cheese, 1 cup cheddar, 1 cup bacon, ranch seasoning, and chives to a mixing bowl and stir well to combine.
- Lay a sheet of plastic wrap on your work surface and place the cheese mixture in the center. Fold the plastic wrap up around the cheese and form into a ball.
- Refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm up.
- Add the remaining cheddar and bacon crumbled to a small plate and stir to combine.
- Remove the plastic wrap from the cheese ball and roll the cheese ball in the cheddar bacon mixture to coat.
- Serve with crackers and fresh vegetables.
Video
Notes
Chilling the cheese ball in the fridge is necessary to make it easier to work with. If you skip this step, you'll have a hard time rolling the ball in the coating.
This recipe originally called for rolling the ball in crushed cheese crackers. Still a totally delicious option, but not great if you'll have leftovers as the crackers get soggy after they go in the fridge. We now call for extra cheddar and bacon to coat the cheese ball.
If you want crunch on the outside of the cheese ball, you could also roll it in finely chopped pecans.
Nutrition
Calories: 310kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 67mg | Sodium: 680mg | Potassium: 108mg | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 615IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 132mg | Iron: 0.3mg