IRRESISTIBLE MINI BACON RANCH CHEESEBALLS

Are you tired of bringing the same old boring appetizer to every party? Imagine popping a salty, creamy, and tangy Mini Bacon Ranch Cheeseball into your mouth – the explosion of flavor is simply addictive! This recipe is the ultimate crowd-pleaser, and I promise you’ll be the star of the show.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Base Ingredients:

• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup crumbled cooked bacon (about 6 slices)
• 1/4 cup ranch dressing
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Coating Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup crumbled cooked bacon (about 6 slices)
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

Optional Add-ins:

• 1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
• 1/4 cup finely diced red onion
• A pinch of red pepper flakes (for a little heat!)

Essential Equipment

Before we dive in, let’s make sure you have everything you need. This recipe is pretty straightforward, but having the right tools will make it even easier!

• Mixing bowl: A medium-sized bowl will do just fine.
• Measuring cups and spoons: For accurate ingredient measurements.
• Rubber spatula or wooden spoon: For mixing everything together.
• Plastic wrap: To chill the cheeseballs.
• Baking sheet or plate: To arrange the cheeseballs.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Base

1. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup of crumbled bacon, ranch dressing, chives, garlic powder, and black pepper.
2. Mix everything together until well combined. Make sure there are no lumps of cream cheese! I find that using an electric mixer (on low speed) makes this step super easy, but a good old-fashioned spatula works just as well.
3. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Want more ranch flavor? Add a little more dressing. Need more salt? A pinch will do the trick.

Step 2: Form the Cheeseballs

1. Using a spoon or a small cookie scoop, scoop out about 1-2 tablespoons of the mixture.
2. Roll the mixture between your palms to form small, round balls. Don’t worry if they’re not perfectly round – they’ll still taste amazing!
3. Place the formed cheeseballs onto a baking sheet or plate lined with plastic wrap. This prevents them from sticking.

Step 3: Chill the Cheeseballs

1. Cover the baking sheet or plate with another layer of plastic wrap.
2. Place the cheeseballs in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This step is crucial! Chilling the cheeseballs helps them firm up, making them easier to handle and coat. You can even chill them for a few hours or overnight if you’re preparing them in advance.

Step 4: Prepare the Coating

1. In a shallow dish, combine the remaining 1/2 cup of crumbled bacon and chopped parsley.
2. If you’re using any optional add-ins like chopped pecans or red onion, add them to the coating mixture as well.
3. Mix everything together until well combined.

Step 5: Coat the Cheeseballs

1. Remove the chilled cheeseballs from the refrigerator.
2. One at a time, roll each cheeseball in the bacon-parsley mixture, pressing gently to ensure the coating adheres to the cheeseball.
3. Place the coated cheeseballs back onto the baking sheet or plate.

Step 6: Final Chill (Optional, but Recommended)

1. For best results, chill the coated cheeseballs for another 15-20 minutes before serving. This helps the coating set and prevents them from being too soft.

Tips and Tricks for Cheeseball Success

Soft Cream Cheese is Key:

Make sure your cream cheese is softened to room temperature before you start. This will make it much easier to mix and prevent lumps in your cheeseballs. If you forget to take it out ahead of time, you can microwave it in 15-second intervals until softened, but be careful not to melt it!

Don’t Overmix:

While you want to make sure everything is well combined, be careful not to overmix the cheeseball base. Overmixing can result in a tough or rubbery texture. Mix just until everything is incorporated.

Get Creative with Coatings:

The bacon-parsley coating is classic, but feel free to experiment with other toppings! Some other great options include:

• Chopped nuts (pecans, walnuts, almonds)
• Everything bagel seasoning
• Finely crushed pretzels
• Dried cranberries
• Shredded Parmesan cheese

Make Ahead Magic:

These Mini Bacon Ranch Cheeseballs are perfect for making ahead of time. You can prepare them up to 2 days in advance and store them in the refrigerator. Just make sure to wrap them tightly in plastic wrap to prevent them from drying out.

Serving Suggestions:

These cheeseballs are incredibly versatile and can be served with a variety of accompaniments. Here are a few ideas:

• Crackers: Serve with your favorite crackers, such as Ritz, Triscuits, or Wheat Thins.
• Vegetables: Offer a selection of fresh vegetables, such as celery sticks, carrot sticks, cucumber slices, and bell pepper strips.
• Pretzels: Pretzel crisps or mini pretzels add a nice salty crunch.
• Toasted baguette slices: For a more elegant presentation.

Variations to Try

Want to spice things up a bit? Here are a few variations you can try:

Spicy Cheeseballs:

Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the cheeseball base or coating for a little heat.

Jalapeño Popper Cheeseballs:

Add diced jalapeños and a sprinkle of chili powder to the cheeseball base. Top with crushed tortilla chips for a fun twist.

Pizza Cheeseballs:

Add pepperoni, mozzarella cheese, and Italian seasoning to the cheeseball base. Serve with marinara sauce for dipping.

Serving and Storage

Serving:

Arrange the Mini Bacon Ranch Cheeseballs on a platter with your favorite dippers. They’re best served chilled or at room temperature. If serving at room temperature, be sure to keep them in a cool area to prevent them from getting too soft.

Storage:

Store leftover cheeseballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keep in mind that the coating may soften slightly over time.

More Delicious Party Food Ideas

Looking for more inspiration for your next party or gathering? Be sure to check out these other fantastic recipes:

• For another great appetizer, try these Spinach Artichoke Wonton Cups.
• If you need a crowd-pleasing side dish, these Cheesy Ranch Potatoes With Smoked Sausage are always a hit.
• For a holiday gathering, Bacon Green Bean Casserole is a must-have.
• Get festive with a Cheese Ball Halloween design!
• This Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball is perfect for any occasion!
• If you are looking for a dinner idea, try this Crack Chicken Gnocchi.

Why These Mini Bacon Ranch Cheeseballs Are a Must-Try

These Mini Bacon Ranch Cheeseballs are more than just a simple appetizer – they’re a flavor explosion in every bite! They’re incredibly easy to make, perfect for any occasion, and sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re hosting a party, attending a potluck, or just craving a tasty snack, this recipe is a winner. So, gather your ingredients, put on your apron, and get ready to create something truly irresistible!

Irresistible Mini Bacon Ranch Cheeseballs

These mini bacon ranch cheeseballs are a flavor explosion in every bite, combining creamy cheese with salty bacon and tangy ranch. They are incredibly easy to make and perfect for parties, potlucks, or a tasty snack, guaranteeing to be a crowd-pleaser.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Servings: 24

Course: Appetizer, Snack

Cuisine: American

Calories: 75

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup crumbled cooked bacon about 12 slices total
• 1/4 cup ranch dressing
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts optional
• 1/4 cup finely diced red onion optional
• A pinch of red pepper flakes optional

Equipment

• Mixing bowl (medium)
• Measuring cups
• Measuring spoons
• Rubber spatula or wooden spoon
• Plastic wrap
• Baking sheet or plate
• Shallow dish
• Spoon or small cookie scoop

Method

 

1. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup of crumbled bacon, ranch dressing, chives, garlic powder, and black pepper.
2. Mix everything together until well combined. Ensure there are no lumps of cream cheese.
3. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Add more ranch dressing for a stronger ranch flavor or a pinch of salt if needed.
4. Using a spoon or a small cookie scoop, scoop out about 1-2 tablespoons of the mixture.
5. Roll the mixture between your palms to form small, round balls.
6. Place the formed cheeseballs onto a baking sheet or plate lined with plastic wrap.
7. Cover the baking sheet or plate with another layer of plastic wrap.
8. Place the cheeseballs in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to chill and firm up.
9. In a shallow dish, combine the remaining 1/2 cup of crumbled bacon and chopped parsley.
10. If using any optional add-ins like chopped pecans or red onion, add them to the coating mixture as well.
11. Mix everything together until well combined.
12. Remove the chilled cheeseballs from the refrigerator.
13. One at a time, roll each cheeseball in the bacon-parsley mixture, pressing gently to ensure the coating adheres.
14. Place the coated cheeseballs back onto the baking sheet or plate.
15. For best results, chill the coated cheeseballs for another 15-20 minutes before serving to help the coating set.

Notes

Make sure cream cheese is softened to room temperature before starting. Avoid overmixing the cheeseball base. Get creative with coatings using chopped nuts, everything bagel seasoning, finely crushed pretzels, dried cranberries, or shredded Parmesan cheese. Cheeseballs can be prepared up to 2 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator wrapped tightly in plastic wrap. Store leftover cheeseballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.