Super easy, make ahead (AKA stress free!) Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball takes just minutes to whip up and is always a total show stopping appetizer!
This supercharged Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball recipe is not only loaded with bacon and cheese but COATED in bacon, cheese, green onions and pecans for can’t-stop-eating-party-deliciousness!
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Hidden Valley® & Glad®. The opinions and text are all mine.
BACON RANCH CHEESE BALL RECIPE VIDEO
To me, every good party needs an amazing cheese ball or log. They are the the ideal cracker spread because it’s basically loaded cheese bursting with flavorful ingredients (just when you didn’t think cheese could get any better) and looks absolutely beautiful. So far I’ve made Bruschetta Cheese Ball, Cranberry Pistachio Cheese Log and Garlic Herb Cheese Log. They have all been runaway hits so I decided the holidays need a cheese ball every year. I need a cheese ball every year. So if you answer yes to the following questions, I’ve found you the perfect cheese ball recipe!
Do you love bacon?
Do you love ranch?
Do you love cheese?
Me too! And so does everyone at your next party and they will love YOU for uniting them with their three loves once more with this Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball!
How to Make Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball
This Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball comes together very quickly. First, add cream cheese, sour cream, garlic powder, pepper Jack cheese, sharp cheddar, bacon, green onions and 1 package Hidden Valley® Original Ranch® Salad Dressing & Seasoning Mix to a large bowl – and mix to combine – hello flaaaaaavor!
If you aren’t familiar with Hidden Valley seasoning and dip mixes, they are awesome! They add bold ranch flavor to anything you heart desires from popcorn to veggies to any dip or appetizer. I love that you can infuse anything with delicious ranch flavor without having to add any caloric ranch dressing!
I buy everything Hidden Valley at my local super Walmart which makes shopping easy with everything I need all in one place! Hidden Valley Original Ranch Seasoning Mix is located in the dressing aisle, next to the dry mixes.
Next, we drop the mixture onto a large piece of plastic wrap, cover tightly, and shape into a ball. Don’t worry about the shape being perfect – you can refine it later when you coat the cheese ball.
For the plastic wrap, I use Glad® Press’n Seal. This has always been my (and my husband’s!) favorite plastic wrap. Unlike many plastic wraps, the Glad Press’n Seal actually sticks and seals tightly on a variety of surfaces including paper, plastic, metal and wood – without having to use layers and layers of wrap. It’s also BPA-free safe to use in the microwave!
Next, we place our Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours to harden up a bit. The amount of time really depends on how soft your cream cheese was to start with. Once the cheese ball is firm enough to roll in the Coating, you can either roll it right away if you are serving it within a few hours OR you can leave it in the refrigerator until the next day and then Coat it – totally up to you and your schedule.
When ready to coat your Bacon Ranch Cheeseball, we roll it in our already made and refrigerated mixture of crispy bacon, sharp cheese, green onions and chopped pecans…
…to create the ultimate layered flavor and textural bliss – nutty, crunchy on the outside, tangy and creamy on the inside and absolutely delicious all over.
Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball – quite possibly the world’s best party food.
LOOKING FOR MORE PARTY RECIPES?
- Jalapeno Popper Dip
- Bruschetta Cheese Ball
- Stuffed Baked Brie in Puff Pastry
- Sweet and Spicy Slow Cooker Cranberry Meatballs
- Buffalo Chicken Dip Stuffed French Bread
- Brie Spinach Dip
- Cheesy Chili Dip
- Key Lime Cheesecake Dip
- Artichoke Dip Bites
WANT TO TRY THIS BACON RANCH CHEESE BALL?
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Ingredients
- 2 8 oz. bricks cream cheese at room temperature
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1 (1 oz.) pkg Hidden Valley® Original Ranch® Salad Dressing & Seasoning Mix
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 cup finely grated Pepper Jack cheese
- 1 cup + 2 tablespoons finely grated sharp cheddar cheese divided
- 6 slices bacon,cooked and diced divided
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions divided
- 2/3 cup chopped pecans
Serve With
- crackers, celery, carrots, etc.
Instructions
Cheese Ball
- Add cream cheese, sour cream, ranch seasoning, garlic powder, pepper jack cheese, 1 CUP cheddar cheese, half of the bacon and 2 tablespoons green onions to a large bowl and mix until well combined.
- Drop mixture onto a large piece of plastic wrap, cover tightly, and shape into a ball. Chill in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours to firm up (up to 24 hours if serving the next day) before rolling in coating.
Coating
- Meanwhile, add remaining 2 tablespoon cheddar cheese, bacon and green onions to a medium bowl. Refrigerate.
- When ready to coat cheeseball, whisk in pecans until evenly combined.
Assemble
- Spread Coating in an even layer on cutting board/parchment lined counter. Remove cheese ball from refrigerator and roll in Coating mixture, pressing to adhere, until evenly coated. At this point you can refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Serve with crackers, celery, carrots, etc.
Video
Notes
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©Carlsbad Cravings Original
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Hidden Valley® & Glad®. The opinions and text are all mine.
Pam A says
Can I use Real Bacon Bits instead of cooking bacon? I hate cooking bacon.
Jen says
Have you tried baking it? Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil, add the bacon in a single layer and bake at 400 degrees for 18-22 minutes, until crispy. So easy! I haven’t tried bacon bits but those could probably work too.
Ashley says
Hi, Jen! I’m making this for New Year’s Eve tonight, so not sure if you will see this question in time, but I was wondering if I should use both the white and green parts of the green onion, or just the green parts? I watched the video but it was hard to tell! Thank you, have a Happy New Year
Ashley
Jen says
Sorry I didn’t see this in time Ashley! You should just use the green parts. Generally, when a recipe calls for green onions it means the green parts only unless it specifically says to use the whites as well. Hope that helps. Happy New Year!
Barb says
This recipe looks yummy, I’m planning on making it for Christmas. Do you think finely chopped jalapeño peppers would taste good in this?
Jen says
Hi Barb, it depends on if your guests like spicy! You may want to only add them to half, or divide the mixture into two balls. We personally love spicy over here, but not everyone does!
Candice says
Hi Jen can you please tell me how long it is safe to store this in the fridge after making? Like 3 days or a week?
Jen says
It is good for about 5 days, enjoy!
Kasey says
My family loved it made it for a New Year’s party and was basically all gone for me I feel like is maybe do a little less ranch mix just thought it was a little to much salty but everyone else really enjoyed it!
Jen says
Thanks Kasey, I’m so pleased it was a hit!