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 pepper
Instructions
- Prep the cheese ball coating: Place half of the crumbled bacon and shredded cheddar cheese on a large plate. Mix to combine. Set aside.
- 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.
- 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"]
- Serve immediately, with crackers or veggies as desired. Enjoy!
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.