Bacon Cheddar Cheeseball

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This bacon cheddar cheese ball recipe is a delightful blend of creamy, cheesy, and smoky flavors, making it a favorite at parties and gatherings.

It combines rich cream cheese, sharp cheddar, and crispy bacon for a crowd-pleasing flavor explosion. Customize it with your favorite coatings and enjoy a classic appetizer that’s sure to impress!

bacon cheddar cheeseball covered in shredded cheddar cheese and minced olives designed to look like a basketball sitting on a white plate surrounded by crackers.

Are you ready for some B-A-S-K-E-T-B-A-L-L? That doesn’t have the same ring to it, does it? As you can probably guess by the image, I have created a bacon cheddar cheeseball that looks like a basketball!

It is perfect for the big games coming up during basketball season, and people are going to show up at your house and expect food. What? That just happens at my house?

I don’t believe it, people want food…..all people! The appetizer table is always wiped out within minutes, and this bacon cheddar cheeseball is a huge hit!

Since I always have so much fun creating recipes for football season, I thought it only right to cover my basketball bases as well. Luckily, this cheeseball is seriously simple to create!

Looking for something a bit different? You will love this Cheese Ball with Pineapple and Jalapeño made by Sandy at Everyday Southwest!

What you’ll need

Softened cream cheese
Fresh garlic cloves
Chopped Italian parsley
Minced green onions
Chili powder
Worcestershire sauce
Black pepper
Cooked bacon – chopped
Finely shredded cheddar cheese
Canned black olives – finely chopped to create lines on the basketball.

Check out the printable recipe card below for the complete recipe and detailed instructions.

How to make a Bacon Cheddar Cheeseball:

Make sure you set your cream cheese (mine is dairy-free) out on the counter for a couple of hours to soften. Whip together in a large bowl until smooth and creamy.

Softened cream cheese in a large mixing bowl.

Add the garlic, parsley, green onions, chili powder, pepper, and Worcestershire, and stir to combine.

Garlic, parsley, green onions, chili powder, and Worcestershire sauce on top of whipped cream cheese in a bowl.

Stir in the bacon and 2 cups of finely shredded cheddar cheese (sharp cheddar is lactose-free). Stir to combine.

Bacon pieces and grated cheddar cheese mixed into the cream cheese mixture.

Line a small bowl with plastic wrap and fill with cheeseball mixture.

Bacon Cheddar Cheeseball mixture in a plastic wrap lined cereal bowl.

It’s just a basic soup bowl from Target. Wrap tightly with the plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator to chill until ready to serve, at least 2 hours.

Cold plastic wrapped cheese ball in a bowl.

Remove from refrigerator and turn out onto serving plate (or parchment paper) and gently press the remaining cheese all over the cheeseball to completely cover.

Bacon Cheddar Cheeseball on a plate with black olive lines to look like a basketball.

My cheesy hands were not going to pick up the camera, sorry.

If you would like to make the stripes for the basketball, dump a can of black olives in the bowl of a food processor and pulse until finely chopped.

Minced black olives in the bowl of a food processor.

I only used about half of the olives, but didn’t have another use for whole olives. Use a small spoon to carefully create curved lines across the top of the cheeseball. Use your fingers to squeeze and press into place when needed.

Clean off your parchment paper or serving plate and serve with Cheez-its, crackers, pretzels, veggies, or bread chunks.

Cheddar cheese covered cheeseball with a large scoop out of the side surrounded by crackers.

But don’t think this Bacon Cheddar Cheeseball is only for basketball season, it is just as delicious without the olives.

Cheddar cheese covered cheeseball surrounded by pretzels and crackers on a white plate.

FAQ’s

How do I store a bacon cheddar cheese ball?

Wrap cheeseball tightly in plastic wrap or place them in an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Can I freeze a bacon cheddar cheese ball?

Yes, you can! Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then place it in an airtight freezer bag or container to prevent freezer burn and moisture loss. Store in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight when you’re ready to serve.

What should I serve with a bacon cheddar cheese ball?

Common accompaniments include crackers, bread slices, pretzels, vegetable sticks (like celery or carrot), and even fruit slices – apples would be really tasty.

Can I customize the flavors in a cheese ball?

Absolutely! You can customize the ingredients and seasonings to suit your taste. You can add herbs, spices, or chopped jalapeños, sun-dried tomatoes, and different types of cheese for variety.

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Enjoy!!