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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
Here I explain the best ingredients for a homemade cheese ball, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card.
- 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 with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card.
- 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 (5 Ingredients)
By
This easy cheese ball recipe with cream cheese, cheddar, bacon and green onions takes just 10 minutes prep. A simple appetizer everyone loves!
Instructions
[ See step photos ]Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.
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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.
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Wrap the ball tightly in plastic wrap. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Did you make it? Leave a review or tag me @wholesomeyum on Instagram!
Maya’s Recipe Notes
Serving size: 2 heaping tablespoons
📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my Low Carb Holiday Cookbook!
I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy.
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© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead.
Cheese Ball Recipe
65 Comments
Katelyn
1I 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.
Kathy
1This is wonderful with dried chipped beef as well. I remembered this from years ago and made this with it in lieu of bacon.
Peggy Woychik
0Excellent recipe. Easy to make and enjoyed by all. Served it with both crackers(for those non-keto) and mini peppers.
Wholesome Yum D
0So happy to hear that, Peggy! Love that you served it with both crackers and mini peppers so everyone could enjoy. Thanks for sharing!
Carol L
0I think I will make this but double the “toppings” so I can add some to the cream cheese mixture itself as well as the outside.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Carol, Feel free to do that if you like, but be aware that the nuts and bacon will lose their crispness if mixed with the cream cheese.
Carol S
0I have some picky eaters, but I thought they might like this. They loved it, and so did I. My family is coming to visit this summer, and I will be making this again. So good and easy. Great with fresh veggies.
Sara
0This is absolutely amazing! I can’t stop eating it. Last Christmas I made one without the pecans, for my husband, and one with the pecans for me. I have to admit the one without was better. It seemed the pecans mutes the yummy bacon flavor. Every time I make these for holiday gatherings they disappear.
Carol
0This is delicious and so easy to make. I will definitely make this again because it’s a hit with everyone that’s tried it.
Robbin
0I have made this recipe several times and it always gets rave reviews from toddlers to my 90-year-old dad. Thank you! My question: I want to make 2 days ahead and wonder if I should refrigerate the ball but wait to roll the cheese ball in the toppings on the day of the party?
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Robbin, Yes, I would wait to add the topping, the crunchy coating has the best texture within 24 hours.
Lele
0This is so simple and delicious.
Brenda
0LOVE this one – many of them have spices or items my family can’t eat. This is basic and still adaptable!
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!
Tamera Lane
0Easy and very tasty!!!
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.