Easy Cheddar Bacon Ranch Football Cheese Ball
Let’s kick off a recipe that is bound to be the MVP of your next gathering, especially for a big game! This Easy Cheddar Bacon Ranch Football Cheese Ball is the perfect game day appetizer that’s fun and simple to make. With just 5 ingredients, it comes together quickly and looks stunning on your tailgate table. And it’s not just an impressive-looking snack, it’s a touchdown for your taste buds!
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
It’s easy, delicious and the presentation is just so cool! Plus, the sharp cheddar, smoky bacon, and zesty ranch are a flavor combo that can’t be beat.
How To Make A Cheddar Bacon Ranch Football Cheese Ball
Equipment:
- Large Mixing Bowl
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Hand Mixer or Stand Mixer
- Spatula
- Cutting Board
- Plastic Wrap
- Serving Platter or Cheese Board
Ingredients:
- 2 – 8 oz. Blocks of Cream Cheese
- 2 – Cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese
- 1 – Packet Ranch Seasoning
- 1 – Package Bacon, cooked and broken into crumbles
- 2 – Slices of Provolone Cheese
Instructions:
- Place the cream cheese, shredded cheddar and ranch seasoning into a large mixing bowl. Using a hand mixer, mix the ingredients on medium-high for about 1-2 minutes, stopping occasionally to scrape down the sides with a spatula.
- Once combined, remove the hand mixer and finish mixing with a spatula to make sure you get everything from the sides and smooth the cream cheese mixture into a ball.
- Remove the mixture from the bowl and place it on a flat surface (lined with parchment paper if needed), like a cutting board. Using your hands by pressing down on the top and cupping the sides of the cheeseball, gently molding it into the shape of a football.
- Once shaped, cover the cheese ball with a large piece of plastic wrap and put it in the refrigerator to stiffen up for about 30 minutes.
- While the cheese ball is chilling, cook your bacon using your preferred method (air fryer or oven is best) until crispy. Once cooled, crumble the bacon into small bits with your hands.
- Take the cheese ball from the refrigerator, unwrap the plastic, and place it onto your serving platter or board. Gently press the crispy bacon bits all over the top and sides of the football cheeseball until completely covered.
- Cut your provolone cheese into slices for the football laces and place them on top of the football. One larger strip for the center lace and 8 smaller strips for the horizontal laces. Serve with your favorite crackers and enjoy!
Pro Tips
#1 Watch the salt. Sometimes ranch seasonings can be pretty salty, and with the bacon, it could become too salty. When you’re mixing your ingredients together, use 1/2 of the ranch packet first and taste. Add more to taste or if it’s salty enough, forgo the rest of the packet.
#2 Cook the bacon until crispy. The crispier it is, the easier it will be to crumble into small pieces. Just make sure not to burn it!
#3 Chill for easy shaping. Don’t skip this step because it will make the cheese ball much easier to finish shaping and to add the bacon.
#4 Moisten your hands. Wet or rub a little oil on your hands to keep the cheese from sticking to them while you’re molding the cheese ball into shape.
#5 Serve with a variety of dippers. Crackers, pretzels, pita chips, celery sticks, carrot sticks, and bell pepper strips make excellent companions to the cheese ball.
Troubleshooting Common Problems with this Recipe
The Cheese Ball is Too Salty. This can happen if your bacon or ranch seasoning is very salty. When you’re mixing your ingredients together, use 1/2 of the ranch packet first and taste. Add more to taste or if it’s salty enough, forgo the rest of the packet. If it’s too salty for your taste, swap the bacon for pecans instead.
The Cheese Ball is Too Soft or Won’t Hold its Shape. If your cheese ball has gotten too soft, pop it into the fridge before molding it into the football shape. Just make sure to pop it back into the fridge again before adding the bacon.
Bacon Doesn’t Stick to the Cheese Ball. If you find your bacon isn’t sticking well you can lightly moisten the surface of the cheese ball with a tiny bit of water or milk to help everything adhere better.
Difficulty Shaping the Football. If you’re having trouble getting the perfect football shape, wet or rub a little oil on your hands to keep the cheese from sticking to them while you’re molding it into shape. Or try using plastic wrap to help you mold it. Place the mixture in the center, gather the plastic wrap around it, and gently press and shape it from the outside.
Freezing & Storing Leftovers
Freezing: You can freeze the un-coated cheese ball for up to a month. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, then place it in a freezer-safe bag. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before coating and serving.
Storing: Store any leftover cheese ball in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
FAQs
Can I make this cheese ball vegetarian? Absolutely. Replace the bacon with chopped pecans instead. It will taste just as good and the presentation stays the same!
What kind of crackers are best for serving? Any sturdy cracker works well, but woven wheat crackers, pretzel crisps, pita chips or even stiff vegetable sticks like celery and carrots are great options.
How far in advance can I make this? You can prepare the cheese ball mixture up to 2 days in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Shape and coat it with the bacon just before serving.
Can I use a different type of cheese? Certainly. While cheddar is classic, you could experiment with Monterey Jack, a Colby-Jack blend, or a smoked Gouda for a different flavor alternative.
This easy cheddar bacon ranch football cheese ball is truly a game-changer for any tailgate, game-day potluck or Super Bowl party, and the fun presentation is sure to get guests talking. Sometimes, simple ingredients are all you need to make something special. So, grab everything from the store, invite some friends over, and get ready to enjoy a snack that is as enjoyable to look at as it is to eat!
If you love this Football Cheese Ball recipe, you will love our Chicken Bacon Ranch Sliders too!
Follow us on Pinterest for more easy recipes for game days and tailgating. Whether feeding family or hosting friends, this easy appetizer will please your crowd.
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Place the cream cheese, shredded cheddar and ranch seasoning into a large mixing bowl. Using a hand mixer, mix the ingredients on medium-high for about 1-2 minutes, stopping occasionally to scrape down the sides with a spatula.
- Once combined, remove the hand mixer and finish mixing with a spatula to make sure you get everything from the sides and smooth the cream cheese mixture into a ball.
- Remove the mixture from the bowl and place it on a flat surface (lined with parchment paper if needed), like a cutting board. Using your hands by pressing down on the top and cupping the sides of the cheeseball, gently molding it into the shape of a football.
- Once shaped, cover the cheese ball with a large piece of plastic wrap and put it in the refrigerator to chill for about 30 minutes.
- While the cheese ball is chilling, cook your bacon using your preferred method (air fryer or oven is best) until crispy. Once cooled, crumble the bacon into small bits with your hands.
- Take the cheese ball from the refrigerator, unwrap the plastic, and place it onto your serving platter or board. Gently press the crispy bacon bits all over the top and sides of the football cheeseball until completely covered.
- Cut your provolone cheese into slices for the football laces and place them on top of the football. One larger strip for the center lace and 8 smaller strips for the horizontal laces. Serve with your favorite crackers and enjoy!
Notes
- Sometimes ranch seasonings can be pretty salty, and with the bacon, the cheeseball may be too salty for your liking. When you’re mixing your ingredients together, use 1/2 of the ranch packet first and taste. Add more to taste or if it’s salty enough, forgo the rest of the packet.
- Wet or rub a little oil on your hands to keep the cheese from sticking to them while you’re molding it into shape.
- Don’t skip the chilling step because it will make the cheese ball much easier to finish shaping and to add the bacon.
Cheers!
