Bacon Ranch Cheeseballs
These Bacon Ranch Cheeseballs are the ultimate party appetizer—creamy, cheesy, smoky, and packed with ranch flavor. Easy to make ahead and endlessly customizable, they’re guaranteed to disappear fast at any gathering.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes (for bacon, if not pre-cooked)
- Total Time: 35 minutes (including chilling)
- Yield: 20 cheeseballs (about 20 servings as appetizer bites) 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup (4 oz/115g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 packet (about 1 oz/28g) ranch seasoning mix
- 8 slices cooked bacon, finely chopped (about 3/4 cup/90g), divided
- 1/4 cup (20g) green onions, thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp (8g) fresh parsley, finely chopped (for rolling, optional)
- 1/3 cup (35g) crushed pecans or walnuts (optional, for rolling)
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Mini pretzel sticks or toothpicks, for serving
Instructions
- Let the cream cheese sit at room temperature until softened.
- Cook bacon until crispy if not already done. Drain and chop finely.
- Shred cheddar cheese, slice green onions, and chop parsley and nuts if using.
- In a mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar, ranch seasoning, half the chopped bacon, green onions, and black pepper. Mix until smooth and evenly combined.
- Cover and chill the mixture in the fridge for at least 15 minutes.
- Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions (about 20g each) and roll between your palms to form balls. Place on a parchment-lined tray.
- In a shallow bowl, mix remaining bacon, chopped parsley, and nuts (if using). Roll each cheeseball in the mixture, pressing gently so toppings stick.
- Chill cheeseballs for at least another 15 minutes to firm up. Insert pretzel sticks or toothpicks before serving.
- Serve chilled. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Notes
For best results, use brick-style cream cheese and chill the mixture before rolling. Double the bacon for extra crunch, and feel free to swap in different cheeses or add-ins like jalapeños or sun-dried tomatoes. To make nut-free, roll in crushed pretzels or crispy onions. These cheeseballs are naturally gluten-free if you check your ranch seasoning and toppings.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cheeseball (about 1 oz/28g)
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 210
- Fat: 7
- Saturated Fat: 3.5
- Carbohydrates: 1
- Protein: 3
Keywords: bacon ranch cheeseballs, party appetizer, cheese balls, make ahead, gluten free, low carb, easy appetizer, finger food, holiday, game day