Description
Crowd-pleasing bacon cheddar ranch cheese ball brings creamy, tangy flavors to any gathering. Packed with crispy bacon bits and zesty ranch seasoning, this appetizer delivers irresistible taste you’ll crave at every party.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup cooked bacon, crumbled
- 1/2 cup sour cream
Seasoning and Flavor Enhancers:
- 2 tablespoons ranch dressing mix (dry)
- 2 tablespoons chopped green onions
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
Coating and Garnish (Optional):
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
- Fresh parsley
Instructions
- Thoroughly blend cream cheese, sour cream, cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, ranch seasoning, green onions, garlic powder, and onion powder in a spacious mixing vessel until ingredients harmonize completely.
- Gently form the creamy mixture into a compact, uniform sphere using clean hands, ensuring smooth texture and consistent shape.
- Optional: Delicately coat the cheese ball’s exterior with finely chopped pecans or walnuts, pressing nuts gently to adhere to the surface.
- Transfer the prepared cheese ball to the refrigerator and allow it to chill and firm up for minimum 60 minutes, which enhances flavor melding and structural integrity.
- When ready to serve, carefully transfer the chilled cheese ball to a decorative serving platter.
- Sprinkle fresh, finely chopped parsley across the top for a vibrant garnish and visual appeal.
- Accompany the cheese ball with an assortment of crisp crackers or raw vegetable sticks for elegant dipping and complementary textures.
Notes
- Prep cold ingredients beforehand to ensure smooth blending and consistent texture.
- Use room temperature cream cheese for easier mixing and preventing lumpy consistency.
- Customize cheese ball by experimenting with different nut coatings like almonds or pistachios for unique flavor profiles.
- For lighter version, substitute regular cream cheese with low-fat or Greek yogurt cream cheese to reduce calories while maintaining creamy texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 280 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg