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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

Serve with crackers and enjoy!

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.

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