Bacon Cheddar Cheese Ball is a giant ball of cream cheese and cheddar rolled around in bacon. It’s the perfect snack to serve for parties, holiday gatherings, tailgating, wine and cheese parties, and more.
Hope everyone had a great Christmas! Now it’s time to bring in the New Year.
I’m lame and pretty much don’t do anything on New Year’s Eve. A few times I’ve gone out, but I mainly stay home with family to watch Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve while we stuff our faces with cheese ball, which is the inspiration for today’s Bacon Cheddar Cheese Ball.
It’s a big ball of cheddar mixed with cream cheese then rolled in real bacon. The best way to end the year is with cheese and bacon!
We always have cheese ball every New Year’s Eve. It goes Ritz crackers, cheese ball, slice of beef stick. They last maybe 30 seconds on the plate then we have to make more.
Usually we just buy cheese ball from the store, but I wanted to try making it by hand. It’s actually much easier than I thought. You just have to be patient because it requires time to chill before rolling in bacon and serving.
What ingredients are in a cheese ball?
Typically the base of a cheese ball is made with cream cheese. Then you add your flavorings such as shredded cheese, onion, garlic, peppers, green onion, bacon, nuts – really the ideas are endless.
It’s important to use full-fat cream cheese because fat free cream cheese is too watery and will affect the texture of your cheese ball after sitting around.
The original recipe I adapted had more cream cheese than cheddar, which is the opposite of what I wanted. I kept adding more and more cheddar until I was happy.
I used a block of sharp cheddar which I grated by hand. Feel free to use mild or sharp, block or preshredded.
Next is the bacon! It’s important to use fresh, crispy bacon and not imitation bacon bits. They may work in salads and dip mixes but not for this cheese ball. Real bacon always makes it better.
How do you make a homemade cheese ball?
Making a homemade cheese ball is really easy! Beat all of the ingredients together, form a ball, then chill. That’s it!
Chilling the cheese ball means you can easily make it ahead of time, which is especially useful when you have a big party coming up.
How do you make cheese ball bites?
Instead of rolling the cheddar cheese ball into one large ball, use a #60 cookie scoop (affiliate link) and roll them into 1 inch balls.
How long do cheese balls last?
Without the bacon, this cheddar cheese ball can be made up to a week ahead of time. Once you roll it in bacon, it’ll last probably about 24-48 hours, depending on how soggy the bacon gets.
Is it ok to freeze cheese ball?
I personally wouldn’t recommend freezing this bacon cheddar cheese ball because freezing will drastically change the texture of the cream cheese. It will become too gritty.
You can refrigerate it up to a week ahead of time without ruining the texture. Tightly wrap your naked cheese ball in plastic wrap. Right before serving, roll it in bacon.
You can even have a wine and cheese party. And if you do end up making this for a wine and cheese party, don’t forget to invite me.
More Cheese Ball Recipes
Bacon Cheddar Cheese Ball
Bacon Cheddar Cheese Ball is a giant ball of cream cheese and cheddar rolled around in bacon. It's the perfect snack to serve for parties, holiday gatherings, tailgating, wine and cheese parties, and more.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces full-fat cream cheese, softened (do not use fat free)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup crumbled bacon (fresh, not bacon bits)
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, beat together the cream cheese, cheddar cheese, onion powder, garlic powder, and salt.
- Form the mixture into a ball and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- In a small shallow bowl, add the bacon. Unwrap the cheese ball and roll into the bacon until completely covered. Refrigerate until ready to serve. For easier spreading, let sit at room temperature 30 minutes before serving.
Notes
Without the bacon, this cheese ball can be made up to a week ahead of time. Once you roll it in bacon, it'll last about 24-48 hours, depending on how soggy the bacon gets.
Liz says
Thank you. Happy Holidays!
Carla says
Happy Holidays, Liz!
Stacy says
I cannot agree more, Carla! There is no better way to welcome the new year than with a bacon-covered cheese ball! I could eat that whole thing all by myself.
Susan says
Did someone say bacon? Best way to ring in the new year in my book!
Anna (Hidden Ponies) says
What better food to roll a cheese ball in? And I agree, more cheddar is better :) Merry Christmas yet!
Rachel says
Genius! I would probably eat that entire cheese ball by myself.
Liz says
This would definitely be hubby approved! I need to make some appetizers for a NYD party so off to check your jalapeño popper dip, too :) Happy New Year, Carla! xo
Joybee says
I love cheese balls. My family used to always get one for new years (when I was a kid). What is it about cheese balls for new years? I also love bacon so this recipe is perfect for me I can’t wait to try it. Anything wrapped or covered with bacon is a must try for me :)
Anita at Hungry Couple says
Hmm…let me think. Do I want a giant ball of cheese with bacon on it? Well, yes, yes I do! :)
Amparo says
Does the cheese meld well together?
Carla says
Yes, as shown in the photos
Aurica says
that’s look so crunchy and very tasty aperitif..they don’t resist to much in front of me :D
Christy says
Trying to make this for my church’s Christmas party and I’m missing one little ingredient… does it HAVE to have the onion powder?
The party is tomorrow.
Carla says
The onion powder is a nice touch, but it won’t make or break the recipe if you don’t have it. You should be ok!
Olivia Hays says
Making individual 1″ balls and using these as keto fat bombs!!
Carla says
Sounds like a great idea!
Lynn says
I love cheese balls rolled in chopped nits. Would it work to mix the bacon in with the cheese so that I could roll the ball in nuts? I’m thinking of bacon that is chopped rather small — maybe the size of lentils? — so that you get the flavor but not the limp texture that would happen with larger pieces.
Carla says
I don’t see why that wouldn’t work! Sounds like a great idea.
Betty says
I’m gonna triple the recipe add the bacon to the mixture and make a zombie brain for our Halloween party! Thanks for the easy recipe!
Carla says
What a fun idea!
Shelly says
What’s the best way to freeze these?
Carla says
I address this question in the blog post with the title “Is it ok to freeze cheese ball?”