Description
These bacon cheese balls are the ultimate party appetizer—creamy, smoky, and crunchy, they disappear fast at any gathering. Make them ahead, customize the coatings, and serve chilled or at room temperature for a crowd-pleasing snack.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 6 slices bacon, cooked crispy and crumbled
- 2 green onions, finely sliced
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce (optional)
- Coating options (choose one or mix):
- 1/2 cup crushed pecans or walnuts
- Extra crumbled cooked bacon
- Chopped fresh parsley
- 1–2 tbsp everything bagel seasoning
- Crushed pretzels or crackers
Instructions
- Cook the bacon: Fry or bake bacon until crispy (oven: 400°F for 12 minutes on a wire rack). Let cool, then chop or crumble.
- Mix the base: In a medium bowl, combine softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar, garlic powder, black pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. Beat until smooth and creamy.
- Add bacon and onions: Stir in crumbled bacon (reserve some for coating) and sliced green onions. Mix until evenly distributed.
- Chill the mixture: Refrigerate the cheese mixture for at least 10 minutes to firm up.
- Shape the cheese balls: Scoop about 1 tablespoon of mixture and roll into 1-inch balls. Repeat until all mixture is used (makes about 18-20 balls).
- Roll in coatings: Place chosen coatings in a shallow dish. Roll each cheese ball until fully coated. Double-dip for extra crunch if desired.
- Chill or serve: Arrange cheese balls on a platter. Chill for 10 minutes for firmer texture, or serve immediately. Add toothpicks for easy serving.
Notes
Soften cream cheese for easier mixing. Freshly grated cheese gives better flavor and texture. Make ahead and chill for up to 3 days; roll in fresh coating before serving. For nut allergies, use pretzels, seeds, or fried onions for coating. Double-coat for extra crunch. Taste mixture before rolling and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cheese ball
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 120
- Fat: 7
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 2
- Protein: 4
Keywords: bacon cheese balls, party appetizer, holiday snack, easy cheese balls, make ahead appetizer, finger food, bacon recipes, cheese ball recipe