Description
Cream cheese, cheddar, bacon, ranch, and green onions combine in this addictive cheese ball, rolled in pecans. The perfect party appetizer!
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
- 1 (8 ounce) package shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 (1 ounce) package ranch dressing mix
- 1/2 cup cooked and crumbled bacon
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
- 1 cup chopped pecans, for coating
Instructions
- Soften Cream Cheese: Ensure cream cheese is softened by leaving it out for at least an hour or microwaving briefly (15-20 seconds per package).
- Cook Bacon: Cook bacon until crispy using your preferred method (stovetop, oven, microwave). Let cool and crumble into small pieces.
- Chop Green Onions: Rinse and finely chop green onions.
- Mix Cheese Base: In a large bowl, beat softened cream cheese and cheddar cheese with an electric mixer until smooth (2-3 minutes).
- Add Ranch: Mix in ranch dressing mix on low speed until evenly distributed.
- Fold in Bacon and Onions: Gently fold in crumbled bacon and chopped green onions using a spatula.
- Form Cheese Ball: Shape the mixture into a ball using your hands or plastic wrap.
- Chill: Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight.
- Prepare Pecans: Chop pecans into small pieces.
- Coat with Pecans: Unwrap the chilled cheese ball and roll it in chopped pecans, pressing lightly to adhere.
- Chill Again: Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow pecans to set.
- Serve: Remove from refrigerator 15-20 minutes before serving. Place on a platter with crackers, pretzels, or vegetables.
Notes
- Spice it up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the cheese mixture for a little heat.
- Different cheese: Experiment with different types of cheese, such as pepper jack or Gruyere.
- Herb it up: Add some fresh herbs, such as dill or parsley, to the cheese mixture.
- Nut-free option: Omit the pecans and coat the cheese ball in crushed pretzels or bacon bits instead.
- Smaller cheese balls: Make individual cheese balls for a fun and easy appetizer.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes