Description
This Bacon Cheddar Ranch Cheese Ball is a creamy and flavorful appetizer perfect for gatherings. Packed with cheddar cheese, bacon, and ranch dressing, this cheese ball is sure to be a hit at any party.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Cheese Ball:
-
- 16 ounce cream cheese blocks, room temperature
- 3 tbsp bottled ranch dressing (e.g., Hidden Valley Ranch original)
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 3 tbsp chopped chives, divided
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, finely shredded
- ¾ cup bacon crumbles (from a 12-ounce package center-cut bacon, cooked & crumbled)
Coating:
-
- 1 cup walnuts, finely chopped
Optional:
- Butter crackers (e.g., RITZ brand)
Instructions
- Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, ranch dressing, garlic powder, salt, pepper, chives, cheddar cheese, and half of the bacon crumbles. Mix until well combined.
- Shape into a Ball: Form the mixture into a ball shape and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to firm up.
- Coat with Walnuts: Roll the cheese ball in the finely chopped walnuts and remaining bacon crumbles until fully coated.
- Serve: Serve with butter crackers and enjoy!
Notes
- You can customize the coating by using different nuts or herbs for added flavor.
- Feel free to adjust the amount of ranch dressing and bacon to suit your taste preferences.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 200 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg