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Who needs a new (and impressive!) appetizer? I thought so. 🙂 My easy cheese ball recipe with cream cheese, bacon, and green onions to the rescue! This is the best cheese ball recipe because, well, bacon is involved. Read on and I’ll show you how to make cheese balls (don’t tell anyone how easy it is, it’s our little secret!), how to store this tasty bacon cheese ball, and give you a few ideas for what to scoop up this cream cheese ball with.
I share specifics below, but it’s also easy to prep ahead of time. You’re going to quickly agree – it’s the best cheese ball recipe ever!
A Simple Cheese Ball Recipe For Any Gathering
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 incredible, and it’s so easy to make! This cream cheese ball recipe with bacon is made with just 5 simple ingredients that you probably already have.
You can make it in advance and it’s perfectly portable, which are both huge advantages in my book. You can never have too many simple appetizer recipes that you can make ahead.
An easy cheese ball recipe is the kind of appetizer you want to keep in the back of your mind year-round. It takes all of 10 minutes to prepare. That makes it equally handy during lazy summer days, the crazy holiday rush, and literally everything in between.
How To Make Cheese Balls
The steps for how to make a cheese ball with cream cheese, bacon, and green onions are super simple:
- Whip cream cheese and cheddar cheese together. I like to use a blender, mixer, or food processor so that the cheese balls get a little fluffy.
- Roll cheese mixture into a ball. Then wrap tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm.
- Stir together bacon bits, green onions, and pecans. A.k.a. the outside of this cheddar cheese ball recipe. Tons. Of. Flavor.
- Wrap your easy cheese ball recipe with cream cheese tightly in plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve.
Cheese Ball Ingredients
This easy cheese ball recipe with cream cheese doesn’t require any special ingredients:
- Cream cheese (wouldn’t be a cream cheese ball without it!)
- Cheddar cheese
- Bacon bits
- Green onions
- Pecans
Such easy ingredients, you might not even need to make a trip to the store!
And also? How awesome is each one of those five ingredients? Cream cheese! Cheddar! Bacon! Pecans! Green onions! So colorful, and so much deliciousness.
What To Roll Cheese Ball In Besides Nuts?
The answer to this question may be obvious…but I’ll yell it from the rooftops: BACON!
The addition of bacon makes this the best cheese ball recipe!
Can A Cream Cheese Ball Be Frozen?
For best results, do not freeze this low carb cheese ball recipe with bacon. The composition of some dairy products changes when it’s frozen, and the texture of cream cheese will change if it’s frozen and then thawed.
Can You Make A Bacon Cheese Ball Ahead?
Yes, you can make bacon cheese ball ahead of time. Simply mix together the cream cheese and cheddar cheese together. Shape into a ball and cover with plastic wrap. Store in the fridge for up to 4-5 days, it might even last a week.
When you’re ready to serve this bacon cheese ball, remove from the refrigerator and roll in the bacon bits, green onions, and pecans.
After rolling it in toppings, you could refrigerate any leftovers as well, but it won’t keep as long (maybe a couple days), and the nuts might get soft.
What To Serve With A Cream Cheese Ball
The best part about a simple cheese ball recipe with cream cheese is that it looks super impressive. I love it when that’s the case with a recipe that’s actually incredibly simple behind the scenes. Shhhh, don’t tell anyone!
When I served it over the holidays, I listened to the ooh’s and aah’s while I giggled a little inside, thinking about how foolproof it was to prepare. Yep, that’s the beauty of cheese ball recipes and cream cheese appetizers!
- Keto Charcuterie Board – This appetizer would work perfectly on a board with other meats and cheeses. See the easy method for building one!
- Sweet potato crackers – These are natural and gluten-free, but not low carb. (They are what’s in the picture!) Great if you have a variety of eaters.
- 3-Ingredient Almond Flour Crackers – When I have time, I love to serve these low carb crackers with my cheese ball appetizers! They get great feedback from people who are not low carb, too.
- Veggies – Always a great option for crunch and color. Get the list of ones good for low carb diets in my low carb foods list
Tools To Make Bacon Cheese Ball
Tap the links below to see the items used to make this recipe.
- Food Processor – Using a processor ensures your bacon cheese balls will be nice and fluffy!
- Cheese Spreader Set – These cheese knives scoop up best cheese ball recipe – perfect for spreading onto crackers or veggies.
- Porcelain Serving Platter – Display your gorgeous bacon cheese ball on one of these platters, surrounded by your crackers and veggies.
Easy Cheese Ball Recipe with Cream Cheese, Bacon & Green Onion
Easy Cheese Ball Recipe with Cream Cheese, Bacon & Green Onion (Low Carb, Gluten-free)
This easy cheese ball recipe with cream cheese, bacon, and green onions takes just 10 minutes prep! See how to make a bacon cream cheese cheese ball ahead for an effortless, impressive appetizer.
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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.
- Whip the cream cheese and cheddar cheese together in a high power blender, food processor, or stand mixer with a paddle attachment.
-
Form the cheese into a ball, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 1-2 hours, until firm.
- 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.
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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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43 Comments
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 keto 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. They are gluten-free, but not low carb. (I didn’t have time to make my own low carb ones for the crowd I was serving this for.) Otherwise for a low carb cracker version, I have this recipe for low carb paleo crackers.