These Mini Bacon Cheeseballs have creamy, tangy ranch-seasoned cream cheese packed with sharp cheddar, green onion, and smoky bacon, then rolled in even more crispy bacon for a salty crunch in every single bite.
They take just 15 minutes to prep and need zero cooking, so you can whip them up even on your busiest party day. Making them bite-sized means no more hacking into a big cheese ball with a butter knife, since your guests can simply grab one and go. Serve them with crackers, pretzels, or crunchy veggies, and you have an appetizer that looks impressive but couldn’t be easier.
Helpful Tips
- Soften the cream cheese completely: Let it sit at room temperature for about an hour before mixing. Cold cream cheese leaves lumps and makes it much harder to blend in the ranch seasoning evenly.
- Chill before rolling if it’s sticky: If the mixture feels too soft to shape, pop the bowl in the fridge for 15 to 20 minutes. Lightly dampening your hands also keeps the cheese from sticking to your palms.
- Coat close to serving time: You can mix and roll the balls a day ahead, but save the final bacon coating for a few hours before the party. This keeps the outside crunchy instead of soft from sitting in the fridge overnight.
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Mini Bacon Cheeseballs
Ingredients
- 16 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1 packet dry ranch seasoning
- 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded
- 1/4 cup green onion sliced
- 6 ounces bacon bits
- fresh herbs like chives or parsley chopped, for garnish
- additional crumbled bacon or chopped nuts for coating
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese with the dry ranch seasoning. Mix it together. Add the shredded cheddar cheese, green onion, and half the bacon bits. Mix until well combined and smooth.
- Using your hands, scoop out small portions of the cheese mixture and roll them into bite-sized balls, about 1 inch in diameter.
- Roll each cheese ball in additional crumbled bacon to coat the outside. This adds extra flavor and a nice crunch.
- Place the mini bacon cheese balls on a serving platter and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up. Garnish with chopped fresh herbs before serving. Enjoy with your favorite crackers or fresh vegetables!
Nutrition
Angela’s passion for discovering and experimenting with new flavors and recipes is at the heart of her culinary philosophy. Residing in a quaint Oregon town, she finds joy and inspiration in her kitchen. Angela has a lot of expertise in cooking and she eagerly shares her discoveries and unique creations with you.