✔ Updated · one clear method, make-ahead + mini cheese ball option
My bacon ranch cheese ball is inspired by The Pioneer Woman's party favorite: cream cheese, sharp white cheddar, sour cream, ranch seasoning and scallions blended until smooth, then rolled in crispy bacon and scallion greens.
At a glance
The one tip that matters: Cook the bacon until very crisp and let it cool completely before chopping. Crisp, cool bacon stays crunchy on the outside of the cheese ball instead of turning chewy.
It takes about 20 minutes of hands-on time, needs only an hour in the fridge and can be made a day ahead, which makes it an easy holiday or game-day appetizer. Directions for mini cheese balls and make-ahead storage are below. For a sweet, no-bake snack in the same spirit, try our Pioneer Woman protein balls.
Why You'll Love This Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball
- Big flavor from a few ingredients: smoky bacon, tangy ranch and sharp white cheddar.
- Make-ahead friendly, so it's ready in the fridge before guests arrive.
- Easy to scale, as one big cheese ball or a platter of bite-size mini cheese balls.
What You Need for a Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball
- Cream cheese: the creamy base. Use full-fat block cream cheese, softened, for the best texture.
- Sharp white cheddar: adds tang and body. Grate it yourself for a smoother mix.
- Sour cream: loosens the mixture slightly and adds a little tang.
- Dry ranch seasoning: brings the herby buttermilk ranch flavor. Use about half of a 1-ounce packet.
- Bacon: some goes inside for flavor, and the rest makes the crunchy coating.
- Scallions: the white parts go in the mix and the green parts go on the outside.
- Pecans (optional): chopped toasted pecans add extra crunch to the coating.
Step-by-Step Photos
Here's how it comes together. Exact amounts, times and temperatures are in the recipe card below.
Tips for Success
- Soften the cream cheese. Room-temperature cream cheese blends smoothly without lumps. I leave it on the counter for 30 to 45 minutes before you start.
- Grate your own cheddar. Pre-shredded cheese is coated in anti-caking starch, so it blends less smoothly. A sharp white cheddar gives the best tang.
- Go easy on the ranch. Ranch seasoning is salty. Start with 1 tablespoon, taste the mixture, and add a little more only if needed.
- Chill before shaping if it’s soft. If the mixture sticks to your hands, refrigerate it for 20 to 30 minutes, or scoop it onto plastic wrap and use the wrap to form the ball.
- Coat close to serving for maximum crunch. If you make the cheese ball a day ahead, keep the bacon coating in a separate container and roll the ball in it shortly before serving.
Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball (Inspired by The Pioneer Woman)
8
servings20
minutes8
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minutesA bacon ranch cheese ball inspired by The Pioneer Woman: cream cheese, sharp white cheddar, sour cream, ranch seasoning and scallions blended smooth, shaped into a ball and rolled in crispy bacon and scallion greens. Make it up to a day ahead and serve with crackers.
Ingredients
- For the Cheese Ball
8 bacon slices
8 oz cream cheese, softened and cut into pieces
8 oz sharp white cheddar cheese, freshly grated (about 2 cups)
2 tablespoons sour cream
1 tablespoon dry ranch seasoning mix (about half of a 1-oz packet)
5 scallions, white and green parts separated, whites finely chopped, greens thinly sliced
- For the Coating and Serving
1/3 cup toasted pecans, finely chopped (optional)
cooking spray or a little oil, for your hands
crackers, pretzel crisps and vegetable sticks, for serving
Directions
- Cook the Bacon
- Cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat for 6 to 8 minutes, turning occasionally, until very crisp. Drain on paper towels and let it cool completely.
- Finely chop all the bacon. Set aside about 1/4 cup (roughly 2 slices’ worth) for the cheese mixture. On a plate, mix the rest of the bacon with the sliced scallion greens and the pecans, if using, and spread it out.
- Make the Cheese Ball
- Put the cream cheese, white cheddar, sour cream, ranch seasoning, chopped scallion whites and the reserved 1/4 cup bacon in a food processor. Pulse for about 30 seconds, scraping down the sides once, until well combined. (Or beat everything together in a bowl with a sturdy spoon or a hand mixer.)
- Scoop the mixture onto the plate of bacon and scallions. Spray or oil your hands and shape it into a ball, then roll it around and press gently so the coating sticks on all sides. If the mixture is too soft to shape, chill it in the bowl for 20 to 30 minutes first.
- Chill and Serve
- Wrap the cheese ball in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to 24 hours, until firm.
- Take the cheese ball out of the fridge 20 to 30 minutes before serving so it’s easier to spread. Serve with crackers, pretzel crisps and vegetable sticks, and don’t leave it at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
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Make-Ahead, Storage and Mini Cheese Balls
A cheese ball is one of the easiest appetizers to prepare in advance, and it is my go-to for holiday parties. Make the cheese mixture and shape it up to 24 hours ahead, then wrap it and refrigerate. Keep the bacon coating in a covered container in the fridge and roll the ball in it a few hours before the party, so the bacon stays crisp.
For mini cheese balls, chill the mixture for 30 minutes, scoop 1-tablespoon portions, roll them into balls and coat them in the bacon mixture. You'll get about 24. Leftovers keep, wrapped, for 3 to 4 days in the fridge.
What to Serve With a Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball
Offer a mix of sturdy dippers so the cheese ball doesn't break them: buttery round crackers, whole-grain crackers, pretzel crisps, pita chips or toasted baguette slices. Celery, carrot and bell pepper sticks add crunch and color, and apple slices or grapes give a sweet contrast. Round out a party spread with Italian appetizers or Mexican appetizers.
Try These Great Recipes
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Pioneer Woman Protein Balls
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is in The Pioneer Woman's bacon ranch cheese ball?
This Pioneer Woman-inspired version uses cream cheese, sharp white cheddar, sour cream, dry ranch seasoning and scallions, blended with a little crispy bacon, then rolled in more chopped bacon and scallion greens. Chopped pecans are an optional addition to the coating.
Can I make a bacon ranch cheese ball ahead of time?
Yes. Make the cheese ball up to 24 hours ahead, wrap it tightly and refrigerate. For the crunchiest coating, store the chopped bacon and scallions separately and roll the ball in them up to a few hours before serving.
How do I make mini bacon ranch cheese balls?
Chill the cheese mixture for 30 minutes, then scoop it into 1-tablespoon portions and roll each into a ball. Roll them in the bacon coating and chill until firm. Add a pretzel stick to each one for an easy grab-and-go party bite. The recipe makes about 24 minis.
How long does a cheese ball last in the fridge?
Wrapped tightly, a bacon ranch cheese ball keeps in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. Don't leave it at room temperature for more than 2 hours. You can freeze the uncoated cheese ball for up to 1 month, then thaw it overnight in the fridge and coat it.
Can I make this cheese ball without a food processor?
Yes. Use well-softened cream cheese and finely grated cheddar, then beat everything together with a hand mixer or a sturdy spoon until smooth. Chop the reserved bacon very finely so it mixes in evenly.
🎄 Planning Christmas dinner? See all our Christmas side dishes next to the mains and a make-ahead timeline.
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