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    Home » Recipes » American

    Bacon Cheese Ball

    Published: Jan 8, 2021 · Modified: Dec 14, 2022 by Sherri · This post may contain affiliate links · 16 Comments

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    bacon cheese ball on a white plate

    A creamy Bacon Cheese Ball is a classic make-ahead appetizer for any party including Christmas, New Year’s and game days. It takes less than five minutes to prepare and is a hit with everyone who tries it.

    Need a few more easy appetizer recipes to make? These Bisquick Sausage Balls and this hot crab dip are always favorites too!

    bacon dill cheese ball covered with almonds on a white plate

    Table of contents

    • How to Make This Bacon Cheese Ball Recipe
    • Variations & Substitutions
    • Tips
    • How long can a cheese ball stay out of the fridge? 

    When cheese and bacon are the main ingredients in, well, absolutely anything, you know whatever it is will be amazing and in this homemade cheese ball recipe it does not disappoint!

    The cream cheese combined with the smoky flavor of the bacon accompanied by the hint of dill and green onions. Not to mention biting into the crunchy almond exterior! It’s not hard to see why it’s the first thing polished off.

    Serve this easy cheese ball with a variety of your favorite crackers, bagel chips, pita chips or pretzels to scoop up the yumminess.

    This easy appetizer will become one of your appetizer staples from here on out. It comes together quickly, is very budget friendly and is great for a make ahead app because it keeps in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

    How to Make This Bacon Cheese Ball Recipe

    Step 1 – You’ll want to make sure your bacon is cooked and crumbled and your cream cheese is at room temperature before you start. Then, gather the other simple ingredients.

    white bowl with cream cheese, bacon crumbles, mayo, and dill

    Step 2 – In a medium bowl, combine cream cheese, mayo, crumbled bacon, dill, scallions and pepper. You can use a hand mixer if needed.

    cheese ball mixture in a white bowl

    Step 3 – Mix in the the diced scallions

    Step 4 – Spread a large piece of plastic wrap out on the counter. Using a spatula, spoon out entire cream cheese mixture onto the wrap and fold it around the cheese and form it into a ball shape.

    cheese ball on and wrappped in plastic wrap

    Step 5 – Refrigerate until set. If you won’t be serving it for a while, keep it in the fridge until you’re ready and only then add the almond slivers. Adding them too early will make them soggy.

    Step 6 – Once it is set and you’re ready to prepare it for serving, unwrap the plastic wrap and roll the ball in the sliced almonds. Making sure to coat all of it evenly.

    cheese ball being coated with almond slices

    Serve with crackers and enjoy!

    almond coated bacon cheese ball on a white plate

    Variations & Substitutions

    • Switch it up from time to time and try rolling it in chopped pecans instead of almonds.
    • Swap the mayo for sour cream if that’s what you have. It will still be creamy but might also add a nice tartness.
    • Include some shredded sharp cheddar cheese or pepper jack cheese for added cheesy flavor.
    • Substitute the scallions for regular white onion.  Cook the bacon and onion together ahead of time and use it that way. So good!
    • Roll them into bite-size mini cheese balls and place a pretzel stick in each one for a fun twist at holiday parties.use a cookie scoop for equal sizes.
    • Add a tablespoon of dry ranch seasoning for a bacon ranch cheese ball recipe.
    • Use real bacon bits in a jar for a quicker prep if desired.
    • Add a teaspoon of garlic powder if desired.

    Tips

    • Although it keeps in the fridge for up to 14 days in an airtight container, you want to bring it to room temperature for a few minutes just before serving. There’s nothing worse than trying to dip a cracker into hardened cream cheese and losing half the cracker!
    • Serve with a butter knife and napkins, along with the crackers. Again, broken crackers.

    How long can a cheese ball stay out of the fridge? 

    It’s made of mostly dairy, so not long.  Probably just long enough for people to enjoy, and once everyone has had their fill, put any leftovers in the fridge. It shouldn’t stay out any longer than 2 hours.

    a almond covered cheese ball on a brown plate

    If you like this recipe, please leave us a comment and rate it in the recipe card. We would love for you to join us and over 350,000 followers on Facebook and Pinterest. For more behind the scenes and everyday life, follow me on Instagram and TikTok too!

    almond covered bacon dill cheeseball on a brown plate

    Bacon Cheese Ball

    A creamy Bacon Cheese Ball is a classic make-ahead appetizer for any party including Christmas, New Year’s and game days. It takes less than five minutes to prepare and is a hit with everyone who tries it.
    5 from 5 votes
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    Course: Appetizer
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    refrigerate: 1 hour hour
    Total Time: 1 hour hour 15 minutes minutes
    Servings: 12
    Calories: 191kcal
    Author: Sherri Hagymas

    Ingredients

    • 8 ounce light cream cheese
    • ½ cup mayo
    • 5 slices bacon crumbled
    • 1 tablespoon Scallions white part only
    • ½ teaspoon Dill
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper
    • 1 cup sliced almonds

    Instructions

    • Blend cream cheese and mayo together
    • Mix in the scallions, dill, pepper and bacon.
    • Spread out a piece of plastic wrap and spoon to mixture onto it and fold the plastic wrap around the mixture.
    • Form it into a ball.
    • Refrigerate for at least 1-2 hours.
    • Remove from wrap and roll in sliced almonds. I find it easiest to put the ball on a plate of almonds then turn it over to coat the other side. Then roll the sides.
    • Serve with crackers.

    Notes

    Roll in chopped pecans instead of almonds.
    If making ahead of time, do not roll in nuts until ready to serve.
    Store in an air tight container for up to 14 days.
     

    Nutrition

    Calories: 191kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 20mg | Sodium: 208mg | Potassium: 128mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 115IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 52mg | Iron: 0.4mg

    Nutritional Disclosure

    Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation.

    Tried this recipe?We love seeing your pictures! Mention @ToSimplyInspire or tag #ToSimplyInspire!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Karlene

      November 24, 2024 at 10:15 pm

      Could I roll the mini cheese balls in sesame seeds instead of nuts as son won’t eat them?
      Karlene

      Reply
      • Sherri

        November 26, 2024 at 9:17 am

        Oh of course!

        Reply
    2. Miz Helen

      May 28, 2016 at 11:11 am

      5 stars
      I love your combination of Dill and Bacon for this awesome Cheese Ball. Thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday and have a great weekend!
      Miz Helen

      Reply
    3. Jann Olson

      May 27, 2016 at 11:19 pm

      I love cheeseballs now and then. Sounds like a yummy recipe! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
      hugs,
      Jann

      Reply
    4. Easy Peasy Life Matters

      May 27, 2016 at 5:43 pm

      Love how yummy and easy this is to make!! Thanks for sharing! 🙂

      Reply
    5. Colleen

      May 27, 2016 at 6:42 am

      I truly miss the cheese balls of my childhood. Thanks for helping to bring them back in style!

      Reply
    6. April J Harris

      May 26, 2016 at 7:44 pm

      5 stars
      What a lovely cheeseball with so many great flavours! I like that it uses low fat cream cheese too. Pinned! Thank you for sharing with us at the Hearth and Soul Hop.

      Reply
    7. Molly

      May 26, 2016 at 6:11 pm

      That looks absolutely fabulous

      Mollyxxx

      Reply
    8. Julie Bagamary

      May 26, 2016 at 7:59 am

      Looks delicious! I usually just use shredded cheddar, cream cheese, onion and paprika. The bacon adds a nice addition!

      Reply
      • Sherri

        May 26, 2016 at 8:09 am

        The bacon is a game changer! 🙂

        Reply
    9. Karren S Haller

      May 25, 2016 at 4:48 pm

      This would be great for entertaining, love the almonds!!
      Thank you for sharing on the #OMHGWW this week!
      Hope to see you next week!
      Have a wonderful Weekend!

      Reply
    10. Pam

      May 23, 2016 at 7:51 pm

      5 stars
      Yum! Printed this off and can’t wait to try it! Happy to be your neighbor at What Joy is Mine Linkup!

      Reply
    11. Shanice

      August 27, 2014 at 3:58 pm

      Wow! I would love it if you joined and contribute your awesome posts at my link party at City of Creative Dreams, starts on Fridays 😀 Hope to see you there at City of Creative Dreams Link Party.

      Reply
    12. Stephanie

      August 27, 2014 at 12:11 pm

      Looks delicious!! Thank you so much for linking up at Tasty Tuesday! Your recipe has been pinned to the Tasty Tuesday Pinterest board! Please join us again this week!

      Reply
    13. Miz Helen

      August 23, 2014 at 12:31 pm

      I will be making this one, it looks delicious ! Thanks so much for sharing your awesome recipe with Full Plate Thursday and have a great weekend!
      Come Back Soon,
      Miz Helen

      Reply
    14. amanda

      August 21, 2014 at 10:31 am

      this sounds SO good! i’m going to pin it so i remember to make it soon 🙂

      Reply
    5 from 5 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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