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Get It NowWho needs a new (and impressive!) appetizer? I thought so. 🙂 My easy cheese ball recipe is here to the rescue! I love having a few impressive and easy appetizer recipes in my back pocket, and this one is no exception. It looks pretty, it tastes yummy, and it’s so easy to make! And the best part? This cream cheese ball with bacon is made with just 5 simple ingredients that you probably already have.
Why You’ll Love This Cheese Ball Recipe
- Savory and cheesy
- Smooth and creamy with crunchy coating
- Just 5 ingredients
- 10-minute prep with no cooking required (just refrigerate!)
- Customizable to make your own cheese ball recipes
- Classic holiday appetizer for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or just about any occasion
Ingredients & Substitutions
This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for a homemade cheese ball, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.
- Cream Cheese – This makes up the base of any cheese ball recipe. I used plain cream cheese, but you could also use other savory flavors, such as garlic herb or veggie. For the best results, leave it at room temperature for about 30 minutes to soften. Softened cream cheese will make it easier to mix and blend with the shredded cheese.
- Shredded Cheese – I used sharp Cheddar cheese, but feel free to use other types, such as Monterey Jack, Colby, Pepper Jack, gouda, Swiss, Parmesan, or mozzarella.
- Bacon Bits – You can use real bacon bits for convenience, but crumbled bacon in the oven tastes even better.
- Green Onions – You can substitute these with finely chopped chives, parsley, or even diced red onions for a stronger bite.
- Nuts – Chopped pecans add the perfect crunch. Other nuts, such as almonds or walnuts, also work. For a nut free option in this cheese ball recipe, try sesame seeds.
How To Make A Cheese Ball
This section shows how to make cheese balls, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.
- Blend the cheeses. Whip cream cheese and cheddar cheese together in a high power blender, food processor with plastic dough blade attachment, or stand mixer with paddle attachment. (Don’t use a knife blade, unless you want the shredded cheese in tiny bits.)
- Shape and chill. Form the cheese mixture into a ball, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and chill in the fridge until firm.
- Mix the toppings. In a medium bowl, stir together the bacon bits, green onions, and pecans. Roll the ball in the mixture.
- Refrigerate. Wrap the ball tightly in plastic wrap. Refrigerate the cheese ball recipe until ready to serve.
Storage Instructions
- Store: Wrap this easy cheese ball recipe tightly in plastic wrap and store any leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. However, the crunchy coating has the best texture within 24 hours.
- Freeze: Most cheese ball recipes freeze quite well, but you need to be careful to avoid freezer burn or drying out. Wrap in 2 layers of plastic wrap followed by foil, then freeze for up to 1-2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.
Cheese Ball Recipe Variations
The best part about this easy cheese ball recipe is that you can easily customize it with various mix-ins and coatings to create your own unique flavors. Here are some ideas:
- Jalapeno Popper – For a spicy kick, add 1-2 finely diced jalapenos to the cream cheese mixture.
- Bacon Ranch – Add 2 tablespoons of dry ranch seasoning to the cream cheese mixture.
- Cranberry – Mix 1/3 cup of dried cranberries into the cheese mixture, or use them as a coating instead of bacon.
- Dill Pickle – Fold 1/3 cup of finely diced dill pickles into the cream cheese mixture, and replace the green onions with 2 tablespoons of fresh dill.
- Garlic – Mix in 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder or even a couple cloves of roasted garlic into the cream cheese mixture.
- Dip – Skip the chilling or forming into a cheese ball, and add 1/3 cup of sour cream or ranch dressing to the cheese mixture. Sprinkle on the coating as a topping instead of rolling, and serve as a dip.
Ways To Serve A Cheese Ball
This appetizer is perfect for a Thanksgiving charcuterie board or Christmas board. Here are some other ideas for what to serve with it:
- Veggies – Carrots, celery sticks, and even broccoli all make great options for crunch and color. These are all sturdy enough to stand up to a cheese ball.
- Crackers – When I have time, I like to make healthy homemade crackers, like 3-ingredient almond flour crackers or flax seed crackers. My favorite store-bought option is sweet potato crackers, shown in the photos above.
- Chips – Pita chips or tortilla chips are usually the go-to chip for this holiday appetizer.
More Easy Cold Appetizer Recipes
Looking for more easy appetizers with minimal prep time? Here are a few of my go-to quick and easy appetizer recipes that don’t require cooking:
Tools You’ll Need
- Food Processor – Makes nice and fluffy results with the plastic dough blade. You can also use a stand mixer with paddle attachment, or even just a hand mixer.
- Cheese Spreader Set – These cheese knives are perfect for spreading your cheese ball onto crackers or veggies.
Cheese Ball Recipe
Cheese Ball Recipe (5 Ingredients!)
This easy cheese ball recipe with cream cheese, cheddar, bacon and green onions takes just 10 minutes prep. A simple appetizer everyone loves!
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Ingredients
Tap underlined ingredients to see where to get them. Please turn Safari reader mode OFF to view ingredients.
Instructions
Tap on the times in the instructions below to start a kitchen timer while you cook.
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Whip the cream cheese and cheddar cheese together in a high power blender, food processor with plastic dough blade attachment, hand mixer, or stand mixer with a paddle attachment.
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Form the cheese into a ball, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 1-2 hours, until firm.
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In a medium bowl, stir together the bacon bits, green onions, and pecans. Roll the cheese ball in the mixture.
- Wrap the ball tightly in plastic wrap. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Last Step: Leave A Rating!
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Recipe Notes
Serving size: 2 heaping tablespoons
Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see our nutrition policy.
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54 Comments
Jan
0My mom used to make a cheese ball for every holiday. She passed away a few years ago and I haven’t had one since. I decided that this year I would carry on her tradition. This recipe tastes exactly like the one she used to make. It made everyone at Thanksgiving so happy. Thanks for sharing. It will be our new tradition.
Katrin
0Made this for a party last night and everyone loved it! My new favorite cheese ball recipe. Love how easy and quick it was to throw together. Thanks so much!
Mitzi
0I just tried this cheese ball recipe of yours and I loved it! It was so easy to make and what I liked the most was the fact that it only needed 5 ingredients to make!
Nicky
0My mom used to make a cheeseball every year but it’s always eluded me. Your breakdown and recipe made it beyond simple- thanks!
Katelyn
0I just made this recently. I added jalapeno, toasted garlic, and mozzarella and it’s so delicious! I’m planning to make this again for our family Christmas party. I’m sure my whole family will love this as much as I did.
Tamera Lane
0Easy and very tasty!!!
Kathy
0This is wonderful with dried chipped beef as well. I remembered this from years ago and made this with it in lieu of bacon.
Ina
0Made this for Thanksgiving and I’m glad everyone had fun! It was so rich and brimming with flavors!
Olivia
0Everyone in my family loved this cheeseball! It was so delicious, thank you! Can’t wait to make it again for Christmas!
Barbara T
0This was a huge hit for Thanksgiving! It disappeared so fast I barely got to eay any 🙂 I am making it again for our Christmas party!
John L
0A 5 star winner. Easy prep with simple ingredients. Always a hit.
Mary
0This was amazing, and I will definitely make it again! Thanks for sharing your recipe!
Holli
0Thank you for this recipe. I only have a hand mixer. Could that work or do you have a suggestion? Thank you I appreciate it.
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Holli, A hand mixer should work for you.
Deneen Cross
0Love this recipe!! Super Easy & Delicious too.
John L.
0This is simply excelllent. I’ve made this several times to rave reviews. I do mix 2 T bacon bits into the cheese mixture but it’s still excellent as written. Made another one today now chilling in the fridge for tonight.
Lisa Ownby
0Made the cheeseball for a Ladie’s Luncheon at church. It was a hit!
Dorothy Beckner
0How long ahead of Christmas am I make the cheese all. It looks amazing, and would be perfect for a centerpiece on my charcuterie board on Christmas Eve.
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Dorothy, You can store in the fridge for up to 4-5 days.
Jane Inniger
0Some cheeseball are bland and just taste like cream cheese. Not this one. Amazing flavor. Your guests will love it!!!!
Barrie
0I have had my food process for a little over a year and don’t use it as often as I should. I never though to mix the cheese for a cheeseball with one. I can see how this would make the cheeseball fluffy.
Jo
0Everyone loves it.
Mark Putnam
0Loved this simple and delicious recipe for holiday celebrations. I made this cheese ball for the first time on Thanksgiving 2021 and it was a huge success! Was accused of making something too addictive for general consumption. Everyone at our home loved this! Thank you Maya!
Shelby
0My cheese isnt firming up been in frig over 2 hrs now
Wholesome Yum M
0Hi Shelby, It won’t become hard like block cream cheese again, but it should be firm enough to unwrap and hold the ball shape. If it’s softer than that, you can freeze your cream cheese ball for about 10 minutes to be able to unwrap it and roll in toppings before serving. Just don’t freeze it for too long, as the cream cheese will change texture if it freezes through.
Chris
0How much of each ingredient ?
Wholesome Yum M
0Hi Chris, The recipe card contains all the specifics on the recipe. It’s located about halfway down the page. If you can’t find it, try scrolling to the top of the page and using the ‘Jump to recipe’ button. Please note that you won’t be able to see the recipe card if you are viewing the website in ‘Reader Mode’ or in an RSS feed. I hope this helps!
Tramia
03Words✨.. Delicious and Quick!⭐️
leanne long
0So easy and, while I have not made it yet, I do have almost all of the ingredients (no onions!). I plan to make some but roll into small balls for individual servings.
Wanda
0Yes, I’m making them into small balls, very delicious.
Lorri
0What a great idea!! Individual serving sized balls.
Sue
0Would walnuts work? I have so many!!
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Sue, That would work.
Cayce
0Does this make only 1 cheeseball?
Wholesome Yum M
0Hi Cayce, Yes, this makes one large cheeseball.
Karen Borich
0Can you use real bacon?
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Karen, Yes, you can crumble freshly cooked bacon.
Louann Archer
0Going to make this today. Looks yummy & healthy.
Jennifer Bruce
0I love the idea for a festive cheese ball. I must try it for Christmas 2018.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0I hope you like it, Jennifer!
Nathalie Lockhart
0Ooooo, I’m totally going to make this and put it in my mashed potatoes! Not all of them just mine. My family likes all sorts of things so this could be a good fit for for us this year on our Thanksgiving table! Thank you.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0I hope you like it, Nathalie!
Arlene Chernak
0When I saw that cheese ball, I knew I had to have the recipe. Making it for Thanksgiving.
Looking forward to more great things on this site. Thank you.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Thank you, Arlene! I hope you like it!
Kathkeen
0Made these Cheese Balls for Concerts in the Park; they were delicious. Well received. But I made them a little big, next time I will make them smaller. Otherwise; loved them !!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0I am so happy to hear that! Thanks for stopping by!
Lisa Barber
0So good!!!!!!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Thank you, Lisa!
Lyla
0HI! Thank you for all your recipe creativity! I have been using cheese balls with veggie chips as a go to snack for a while. I put in shaved pastrami or roast beef……oh yeah! It is good!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Thank you, Lyla! That sounds delicious.
Ashley
0What kind of bacon bits did you use for the cheese ball? Ones like Bac-Os? Or did you just fry up some bacon and crumble it?
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Ashley, Either way will work. Sometimes I make my own and sometimes purchase them. I don’t like that commercially packaged bacon bits usually contain preservatives, but occasionally the convenience is worth it. You can do whatever you prefer!
Tracy L
0I would love to know what the crackers are in this photo. They look delicious along with the cheese ball.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Tracy, The crackers are these sweet potato crackers.