Thismini bacon ranch cheese ball recipeisso easy to make and delicious! You only need 5 ingredients and 10 minutes to put this appetizer together.
Sundays have been my favorite day of the week for a very long time.
There is something about sitting down to watch football all day that really makes me happy.
Maybe it’s all the muscular men running around TV? Nah.
It’s football food that really gets me going.
I have it playing in the background while I’m cleaning or working, and I use the commercials to load up on plates of food.
Whether it’s cheese garlic pull apart bread, slow cooker bean dip, or these mini cheeseballs, I’m happy.
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Mini Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball Recipe
Finger foods are my favorite food group (that is a food group, right?) and this mini bacon ranch cheese ball recipe is right up my alley.
Not counting the pretzel sticks, this is a 5-ingredient appetizer recipe.
And it takes about 10 minutes to make all of the mini cheese balls. Most of that time will be spent making the shredded cheese and cream cheese mixture.
How’s that for scoring big!?
The last time I made these mini cheese balls, I only put together half of the cheese balls.
I saved the leftover cheese mix (with the bacon and parsley added of course) for a little get together I had.
Wouldn’t you know, my guests treated it like a cheese dip and devoured it all with chips.
So if you decide not to make everything into cheese balls, you’re still set with a delicious recipe.
Win, win.
Ingredients for Bacon Ranch Cheese Balls
Softened Cream Cheese – Cream cheese serves as the primary base for these cheeseballs, providing a creamy and tangy texture.
Its richness and smoothness make it perfect for blending with other ingredients and forming into bite-sized cheese balls.
Shredded Cheddar Cheese – Shredded cheddar cheese adds a sharp, savory flavor and a satisfyingly cheesy texture.
It combines with the cream cheese to create a flavorful and creamy cheeseball center.
Dry Ranch Seasoning – Dry ranch seasoning mix is a versatile blend of herbs and spices that imparts a zesty, herby, and slightly tangy flavor to the cheeseballs.
This essential ingredient gives these snacks their “ranch” flavor.
Finely Chopped Bacon – Bacon bits are a savory and crispy addition that provides a smoky, salty, and indulgent element to the cheeseballs.
When chopped finely, bacon adds flavor and a delightful crunch to each bite.
Parsley – Fresh parsley, finely chopped, adds a vibrant burst of color and a hint of freshness to the cheeseballs.
It enhances the visual appeal and provides a mild herbal contrast to the rich and savory ingredients.
Pretzel Sticks – While not directly incorporated into the cheeseball mixture, pretzel sticks are used as handy dippers or skewers for serving the mini cheeseballs.
They offer a salty, crunchy contrast to the creamy and flavorful cheeseballs, making them easy to enjoy as a party snack.
When combined and rolled into bite-sized balls, these ingredients create Mini Bacon Ranch Cheeseballs that are bursting with rich, creamy, cheesy, smoky, and herby flavors.
Using pretzel sticks makes them a convenient and delicious finger food for gatherings and appetizer platters.
A few recipe notes and suggestions:
- You can substitute chives or green onions for the parsley.
- If you’re short on time, use precooked bacon or store-bought bacon bits.
- If you are watching your salt intake, use low-sodium bacon and half of the ranch dressing mix.
- You can make dryranch dressing mix from scratch – this is a great way to limit the amount of salt.
How to Make Bacon Ranch Cheese Balls
Begin by adding the softened cream cheese to a medium-sized mixing bowl.
Then use a spatula or a hand mixer to smooth it out, ensuring a creamy consistency.
Next, mix the shredded cheddar cheese and the dry ranch seasoning until the ingredients are thoroughly combined.
In a separate small bowl, combine the finely chopped bacon and the parsley, creating a flavorful and aromatic mixture that will coat the outside of the cheeseballs.
Now, scoop out a portion of the cheese mixture using a melon baller or your hands and shape it into a ball.
Scroll down to see the full recipe below!
Roll this cheeseball in the bacon and parsley mixture, ensuring it’s evenly coated with the savory goodness.
Set the completed cheeseball aside. Repeat this process until you’ve crafted all the cheeseballs.
For serving, insert a pretzel stick into the center of each cheeseball.
This provides a convenient and crunchy handle for enjoying these delectable bites and adds a playful touch to your presentation.
With these steps, you’ll have a platter of Mini Bacon Ranch Cheese Balls ready to be savored at your next gathering or as a delightful snack.
Looking for more bite-size recipes? Try my bacon wrapped dates or my slow cooker sweet and spicy meatballs.
Mini Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball Recipe
Yield: 30
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
These mini bacon ranch cheeseballs are a great party appetizer. Serve on a pretzel stick or with chips on a platter. Small plates with individual portions would make a great display. You guests will love this popular holiday snack. Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, Halloween - any reason to throw parties! This is a make ahead recipe!! Leave out the bacon and its vegetarian
Ingredients
- 12 ounces softened cream cheese
- 8 ounces shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tablespoon dry ranch seasoning
- 1 cup finely chopped bacon (1 pound bacon)
- 1 tablespoon parsley
- pretzel sticks
Instructions
- Add the softened cream cheese to a medium bowl and smooth with a spatula or a hand mixer. Add the cheddar cheese and ranch seasoning and mix until combined.
- In a small bowl, combine the bacon and parsley.
- Use a melon baller to scoop out a ball of the cheese mixture. Use your hands to make sure it is in a ball and then roll it in the bacon mixture. Set aside.
- Repeat until all of the cheese balls are made. Place a pretzel stick in the middle of each cheese ball and serve.
Notes
You can substitute chives or green onions for the parsley.
If you're short on time, use precooked bacon or store-bought bacon bits.
If you are watching your salt intake, use low-sodium bacon and half of the ranch dressing mix.
You can make dryranch dressing mix from scratch - this is a great way to limit the amount of salt.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 30Serving Size: 1 mini cheese ball
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 110Total Fat: 9gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 26mgSodium: 252mgCarbohydrates: 2gFiber: 0gSugar: 1gProtein: 5g
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