Whip up a delicious appetizer in under 30 minutes with this bacon and white cheddar cheese ball. It's the perfect make-ahead appetizer that's sure to please any crowd!
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I love making a cheese ball as an easy appetizer. It's great for pretty much every occasion including a party, birthday, or even as a pre-Thanksgiving bite.
You're going to especially love this cheese ball because it's packed with flavors like bacon, white cheddar cheese, dill, and green onions.
You can eat this bacon and cheddar cheese ball all on its own or paired with a charcuterie board for a more elaborate spread.
Jump to:
What You'll Learn In This Recipe
- How to cook bacon in the oven (this is my all-time favorite cooking method).
- A helpful trick to get a perfectly round cheese ball.
- Tips for making this cheese ball ahead of time for a party.
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Ingredients You Need
- Thick cut bacon: If you use thin cut bacon, the cooking time will need to be reduced.
- Cream cheese: Use the full-fat version for the best flavor.
- White cheddar cheese: I prefer to shred my own cheese for the best taste, but the pre-shredded will work as well.
- Green onion
- Fresh dill: Dried dill will work in a pinch.
- Garlic powder
- Morton kosher salt
- Black pepper
- Crackers: Feel free to use whatever brand of crackers you enjoy most.
How To Make This Recipe
1. Cook the bacon for 13 - 17 minutes until it's golden brown and crispy. Place the cooked bacon on a bed of paper towels to soak up the grease. Once cool to the touch, chop the bacon into bite-sized pieces.
2. Add ¼ cup (25 grams) of chopped bacon, cream cheese, cheddar cheese, green onion, dill, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to a large mixing bowl and stir until combined.
3. Line a circular bowl with saran wrap. Pour the dip into the saran wrap and press down to mold the mixture into a circle.
4. Once circular, press the remaining bacon to coat the outside of the cheese ball. Optionally, press some additional green onions on the outside for garnish.
Expert Tips
- Make Ahead: You can make this cheese ball up to 3 days ahead of time. Tightly wrap the cheeseball and keep it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve.
- For a pretty serving presentation, plate this appetizer cheese ball on a serving tray next to your favorite crackers.
- Serve this bacon and cheddar cheese ball as part of a charcuterie board for an even more elaborate appetizer spread.
Recipe FAQs
The leftovers will last up to 7 days in the refrigerator.
Yes, just omit the bacon from the recipe.
Yes! I also love serving this cheese ball with raw veggies such as cucumber, bell pepper, or carrots.
More Appetizer Recipes
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Bacon & White Cheddar Cheese Ball
Equipment
- light colored sheet pan
- aluminum foil
- serving tray
Ingredients
- 8 slices thick cut bacon
- 16 ounces cream cheese softened
- 8 ounces finely shredded white cheddar cheese
- ½ cup plus more for garnish green onion finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon Morton kosher salt
- ⅛ teaspoon finely ground black pepper
- crackers, for serving
Instructions
- Heat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Lay bacon strips on a light colored sheet pan lined with aluminum foil. Cook for 13 - 17 minutes until bacon is golden brown and crispy. Place cooked bacon on a bed of paper towels to soak up the grease. Once cool to the touch, chop the bacon into bite-sized pieces.
- Add ¼ cup (25 grams) chopped bacon, cream cheese, cheddar cheese, green onion, dill, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to a large mixing bowl and stir until combined.
- Line a circular bowl with saran wrap. Pour the dip into the saran wrap and press down to mold the mixture into a circle. Once circular, press the remaining bacon to coat the outside of the cheese ball. Optionally, press some additional green onions on the outside for garnish.
- To serve, place the room temperature cheese ball on a serving tray alongside crackers.
Notes
Leftovers will last up to 7 days in the refrigerator.
Beth
So good and super quick to make! We will be making this recipe again soon for a party!