This Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball is one of those classic party appetizers that everyone loves. It’s easy to make, loaded with flavor and perfect for the holidays, game days, or anytime you need the perfect crowd-pleaser. This version is loaded with smoky bacon, sharp cheddar, and ranch seasoning!
Homemade cheeseballs come together in just a few minutes, and practically disappear just as fast. This cheese ball hits all the right notes. Its creamy with the right amount of ranch flavor, plenty of cheddar, and bacon in every bite. The texture is smooth, and spreadable. This is the kind of party recipe you want to make again and again.
Why You’ll Love This
- Packed with Flavor: Loaded with Cheddar, Bacon, and Ranch that come together to be one of the best combos!
- Quick and Easy: Only a few minutes of mixing, and your cheese ball is done! But don’t forget to chill it for the best flavor.
- Perfect for Parties: Easy to make ahead, grab some crackers, chips and pretzels and this will be a big crowd favorite.
Ingredients Needed
This is a quick overview of some of the ingredients you’ll need for this Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball Recipe. Specific measurements and full recipe instructions are in the printable recipe card below.
- Cream Cheese: Two blocks of full fat cream cheese
- Bacon: Freshly cooked bacon will have the best texture and flavor
- Cheddar Cheese: Sharp cheddar is best for the strongest flavor. Shred it fresh from the block for the best texture and flavor.
- Ranch Seasoning: One packet of ranch seasoning to give the ball the best flavor
- Garlic Powder: Adds a little extra savory flavor
- Pecans: Chopped up for adding a crunch to the outside of the cheeseball
How to make a Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball
Step 1: Mix the Filling. Add the cream cheese to a large bowl and mix it with a stand mixer, or hand mixer until smooth. Add in most of the cheddar, bacon, and green onions. Add in the ranch, garlic powder, salt, and onion powder. Mix it all together until the seasonings are all mixed throughout.
Step 2: Scoop into a Ball. Transfer the cheese mixture into a pile on some plastic wrap. Wrap it up and squish the cheeseball together forming it into a ball.
Step 3: Add the Toppings. Add the pecans, remaining cheddar, bacon, green onions, and parsley and mix them together on a shallow plate or cutting board. Unwrap the cheese ball and roll it into the mixture until its full covered. Use your hands to stick some on any spots that are empty. Rewrap the cheeseball in a new piece of plastic wrap and place it in the fridge to chill for at least 1 hour.
Step 4: Serve. Unwrap the cheese ball and serve it up with a big plate of crackers, pretzels, or veggies. Let it sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes to soften a bit, and serve the ball with a spreader if its too hard to scoop directly into with a cracker.
Tips and Tricks:
- Soften the Cream Cheese: Let the cream cheese blocks sit at room temperature for at least 1 hour, to soften enough so they mix smoothly with all the rest of the ingredients.
- Extra Add Ins: Add some diced jalapeno for a kick. Other seasonings that would be good, try 1/2 to 1 tsp of cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, or Worcestershire sauce.
- Serve With: Pair with some crackers, pretzels, or sliced veggies and enjoy!
Storage and Make Ahead Instructions
This cheeseball can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days. It tastes just as good on day 4 as it does the first day, so its a great option for making ahead of time for an event. To make it ahead of time prepare as directed, but don’t roll it in the bacon, cheese, and pecan coating until you’re ready to serve, or about 1 hour before serving. The nuts and bacon will soften if they’re wrapped around the cheese longer, so for the best crunchy exterior add them right before serving if you’re not serving it within a couple hours.
This cheese ball is the perfect party appetizer for any upcoming holiday parties, its great for Christmas parties, or for your New Years Eve celebration! Serve it with some crackers and pretzels and voila, it’s the perfect party food.
Now I’ve shared one of my favorite party foods, what’s your favorite? Leave a comment letting me know your favorite holiday party recipe!
More Appetizer Recipes
If you make this Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball please leave a comment and 🌟 rating letting me know what you think! If you post the photo on Instagram, please tag me – I’d love to see what you’re making!
Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball
Ingredients
- 8 oz bacon
- 16 oz cream cheese (two 8 oz blocks)
- 2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 3 green onions (sliced)
- 3 TBS ranch seasoning (or 1 oz ranch seasoning packet)
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
- 1/2 TBS fresh parsley
Equipment
- Large Mixing Bowl
Instructions
- Cook the bacon until its crispy. Let it cool, then chop it into pieces. Set it aside. 8 oz bacon
- Add the cream cheese to a large bowl and beat it until smooth. (A stand mixer or hand mixer works great for this).16 oz cream cheese
- Add all but 2 TBS of each, the bacon, cheddar cheese, and green onion to the bowl. 2 cup shredded cheddar cheese, 3 green onions
- Add in the ranch seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt. Mix it all together until the seasonings and everything is evenly distributed. 3 TBS ranch seasoning, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/4 tsp onion powder, 1/4 tsp salt
- Spread out a piece of plastic wrap. Scoop the cheese mixture onto the plastic wrap and push it all together into itself, rolling the cheeseball up in the wrap and forming it into a ball.
- Add the pecans, remaining bacon, cheddar, green onion, and the parsley to a shallow plate or a cutting board and mix together. 1/2 cup chopped pecans, 1/2 TBS fresh parsley
- Roll the cheeseball in the nut mixture, to cover it on all the sides. Use your hands to press the mixture into the cheese ball if there are any blank spaces. Wrap in another piece of plastic wrap and place in fridge until ready to serve.
- Wrap the cheese ball in another piece of plastic wrap. Place in the fridge for 1 hour to chill.
- Unwrap the cheese ball and serve it a spreading knife with crackers, pretzels and veggie sticks.
Notes
- Soften the Cream Cheese: Let the cream cheese blocks sit at room temperature for at least 1 hour, to soften enough so they mix smoothly with all the rest of the ingredients.
- Extra Add Ins: Add some diced jalapeno for a kick. Other seasonings that would be good, try 1/2 to 1 tsp of cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, or Worcestershire sauce.
- Serve With: Pair with some crackers, pretzels, or sliced veggies and enjoy!
Nutrition
*This Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball was first posted on December 13, 2017. The photos and blog text were updated on November 14, 2025.
Maria Williams says
Ooooh yum!! These sound amazing! I love the flavor of those smokehouse almonds… and… you really can’t go wrong with cheese and bacon! 😛
Sarah @Whole and Heavenly Oven says
This cheese ball would be SO perfect for holiday gatherings! It looks so amazingly easy to throw together and so impressive at the same time! 🙂
shannah Coe says
Wow anything with bacon I will give a shot!
Britni says
Looks perfect for all of those holiday parties!
dishofdailylife says
It does look delicious and it is the perfect appetizer for the New Year’s party we are going to!
Cathy Henry says
This will be a great appetizer to take to our family Christmas!
savoryexperiments says
I’m so making this for my New Year’s Eve party!
Miranda @ Cookie Dough & Oven Mitt says
Oh yum! Bacon, ranch, cheese.. I can’t even handle it. The is perfect for our Christmas Eve party!
Becky says
Sounds amazing & love that is quick and easy! Perfect for the hectic holiday season!
Lori Vachon says
You had me at bacon, then at ranch, then at cheese ball…sounds just great!!!
Sarah Bates says
I am making this on Christmas Eve! It looks delicious!
Aimee Berrett says
Its perfect for Christmas eve! I think you’ll love it!
Rebecca Hubbell says
This sounds delicious! Definitely adding it to the menu for Christmas.
christine (@foodyschmoody) says
Cheese balls are a must at holiday parties and this one looks delicious.
nmburk says
It looks so pretty with the almond slices all the way around! 🙂
Kimberly Job says
We always have cheese balls during the holidays. Thanks for the recipe!
Rachael says
mmmmm, bacon, ranch and cheese! The trifecta of flavor.
Nicky says
This is so easy to make. I’ll never buy another cheese ball again
Melanie says
This looks like a great thing to take to a party!
eglover0616 says
This looks delicious and perfect for a holiday party!!