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A Bacon Cheddar Cheese ball sits atop a gray ceramic platter surrounded by a ring of Ritz crackers. The platter rests atop a gray-blue textured surface with a single cracker sitting on the surface next to the platter with a scoop of cheese ball atop.

The Infamous Bacon Cheddar Cheese Ball

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  • Author: Jess Larson
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Warming & Chilling Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes (mostly inactive)
  • Yield: serves 10-12 1x
  • Category: Appetizers, Snacks
  • Method: No-Cook
  • Cuisine: American

Description

This Cheddar Bacon Cheese Ball is a well-loved family recipe – I’m convinced it’s the absolute BEST cheese ball recipe! Sharp cheddar & cream cheese come together with smoky bacon, aromatic green onions, a couple of staple spices, & my super-secret cheese ball ingredient…beer!

It’s an easy creamy, dreamy cheese ball that bursts with smoky, cheesy flavor. Serve it with crackers & your bacon cheese ball is totally party-ready – perfect for holiday gatherings, game day parties, or any other festive get-togethers!


Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked & crumbled
  • 3 cups shredded sharp cheddar
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
  • ¼ cup beer of choice (see Recipe Notes, below)
  • 4 green onions, finely chopped
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • optional: pinch cayenne pepperBacon Cheddar Cheese Ball ingredients arranged on a blue-gray textured surface: cooked & crumbled thick-cut bacon, shredded sharp cheddar, beer, green onions, garlic powder, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper.

Instructions

  1. Prep the cheese ball coating: Place half of the crumbled bacon and shredded cheddar cheese on a large plate. Mix to combine. Set aside. Crumbled cooked bacon and fresh shredded cheddar cheese mixed together for coating a cheese ball sit atop a white ceramic plate. The plate rests atop a blue-gray textured surface.
  2. Mix the cheese ball mixture: In a medium bowl, combine the remaining crumbled bacon & shredded cheddar cheese with the cream cheese, beer, green onions, garlic powder, smoked paprika, & cayenne pepper. Mix together until completely combined & smooth. Transfer to the freezer to chill for 10-15 minutes. A clear glass mixing bowl is filled with Bacon Cheddar Cheese Ball mixture. A silver spoon used for mixing rests inside of the mixing bowl and the bowl sits atop a blue-gray textured surface.
  3. Form the cheese ball: Transfer the chilled cream cheese mixture to a large piece of plastic wrap. Use the plastic wrap to form the mixture into a ball – this will be a little messy, so just be patient & keep working until it comes together! Roll the ball in the bacon & cheddar mixture from Step 1, coating the entire surface with shredded cheese & crumbled bacon. [gallery size="full" columns="2" ids="13836,13837"]

    A formed cream cheese and beer cheese ball rests atop a white ceramic plate. The cheese ball has been coated with crumbled bacon and shredded cheddar cheese. The plate sits atop a blue-gray textured surface.

  4. Serve immediately, with crackers or veggies as desired. Enjoy!An overhead shot of a Bacon Cheddar Cheese ball that sits atop a round gray ceramic platter surrounded by a complete ring of Ritz crackers that have bits of green onion, bacon and shredded cheddar cheese sprinkled on top. The platter rests atop a gray-blue textured surface. A couple of pints of amber-colored beer, a few Ritz crackers, green onions, a silver container filled with breadstick crackers, and a blue and white plaid linen napkin rest on the surface surrounding the platter.

Notes

  • Suggested Beer: I’m the first to admit that I’m not much of a beer drinker, but I absolutely love using a full-flavored beer for this bacon cheddar cheese ball recipe. The bold flavor of a big IPA really helps balance out the richness of the cheese & bacon. That said, you can use whatever beer you love most. A lighter lager or ale (such as New Glarus Spotted Cow, Miller High Life, or PBR) would be great, as would a heavier or darker beer like a nice porter. If you do not wish to use beer, simply omit it for a non-alcoholic cheese ball. 
  • Make-Ahead & Storage: This bacon cheddar cheese ball stores really beautifully, so it’s wonderfully make-ahead friendly. 
    • Make-Ahead Instructions: Prep the cheese ball according to Steps 1-3 of Recipe Directions, above. Wrap it well with plastic wrap & store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. About an hour before you plan to serve it, pull it from the refrigerator to give it a chance to warm to room temperature. 
    • Storage Instructions: Cheese ball leftovers will keep, stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.