This Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball is a delightful crowd-pleaser, featuring a combination of crisp bacon, creamy cheeses, fresh herbs, and ranch seasoning. Shaped like a pinecone, it adds a festive touch to your appetizer spread.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Recipe Servings: 8
Ingredients:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
- 4 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, grated
- 4 slices cooked bacon, chopped (Air Fryer Bacon recommended)
- 2 tablespoons fresh green onions, finely chopped (plus more for garnish)
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced (or ¼ teaspoon garlic powder)
- 1 teaspoon ranch seasoning (homemade ranch seasoning recommended)
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- 1 cup whole almonds (see below for alternative outer coatings)
- 1 box gluten-free crackers or veggies for dipping
Equipment:
- Cutting Board
- Knife
- Mixing bowls
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Plastic Wrap
- Serving platter
- Fork
Instructions:
- Add the softened cream cheese, cheddar cheese, chopped bacon, green onions, minced garlic, ranch mix, and sea salt to a medium mixing bowl.
- Using a fork, mix until all ingredients are well combined. Alternatively, use a hand mixer or food processor.
- Shape the cream cheese mixture into the form of a pinecone (teardrop shape) using your hands, then place it on a serving plate or platter.
- Carefully place almonds into the cheeseball with the tip of the almonds going at a slight angle, the same direction as the narrow end of the pinecone cheese ball shape.
- Arrange crackers on the serving platter around your bacon ranch cheese ball and sprinkle chopped green onions on the plate for garnish. Add a few sprigs of rosemary at the top of the pinecone to resemble pine needles, if desired.
Nutrition Information Per Serving:
- Calories: 349kcal
- Carbohydrates: 17g
- Protein: 10g
- Fat: 27g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
- Sodium: 590mg
- Potassium: 205mg
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 2g
- Vitamin A: 539IU
- Vitamin C: 1mg
- Calcium: 180mg
- Iron: 1mg