Bacon Cheeseball with Onion
The first cheeseball recipe I ever shared on my blog was this cheeseball made with chipped beef. That is still a favorite appetizer recipe in our house, but we have also fallen in love with this Bacon Cheeseball with Onion.
Why You’ll Love this Bacon Cheeseball Recipe
- It’s a Real Crowd Pleaser! – Cheeseballs are a favorite appetizers at all sorts of gatherings, and this bacon and onion cheeseball always gets rave reviews! It’s the perfect appetizer for New Year’s, game day, holiday parties, and family gatherings of all sorts.
- It’s A Delicious Make-Ahead Appetizer! – This easy appetizer is great for taking things off of your day-of to-do list. It’s actually best to make it the day before your gathering. This makes hosting your next party just that much easier, spreading out your kitchen tasks during the holiday season especially.
- It Tastes Fantastic! – This yummy cheeseball checks all the boxes. Creamy texture, crunchy bacon, fresh green onions, smoky Worcestershire sauce. You won’t find a better flavor combo!
- It’s Easy To Make! – No fancy steps, no stove-top needed. Simply use a mixer to combine a handful of simple ingredients, and you’ve got a delicious addition to your next gathering. Honestly, sometimes I just use my hands!
Ingredients Needed For This Homemade Cheeseball
Five simple ingredients and a package of crackers is all you need to create a bacon and onion cheeseball that is the perfect size for your game day gathering!
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- 1 Block of Softened Cream Cheese – Forgot to set it out ahead of time? Microwaving cream cheese to soften it doesn’t work quite the same way as butter. Instead, boil a kettle of water, fill a glass measuring cup, let it set for a minute or two, then dump out the hot water and overturn the warmed cup atop the package of cream cheese. When the cup is cool to touch, the cream cheese underneath will be softened!
- 1 Package of Precooked Bacon Pieces – If you have the option, opt for real bacon pieces rather than bacon bits. They’re usually next to each other on the shelf at grocery stores. You can also make your own bacon bits by chopping up your own crispy bacon.
- 1/2 Cup of Green Onions – I love the freshness that diced green onions give to the cheeseball mixture. Make sure to dice the green onions finely enough that they would fit nicely on whatever type of cracker or dipping option you’re serving with your cheeseball.
- 1 Teaspoon of Garlic Powder
- Splash of Worcestershire Sauce
- Crackers or Veggies for Dipping – Of course, a cheeseball is nothing without something to dip in it! Any of your favorite crackers work fine – Ritz crackers, Triscuits, etc. You can also use pretzel sticks, pita chips, bagel chips, or various sliced vegetables.
How To Make This Bacon Cream Cheeseball
Making this cheeseball recipe is simple and straightforward.
Here’s how to do it.
- In a large mixing bowl, add softened cream cheese and all other ingredients. Use a hand mixer or stand mixer to combine the ingredients until they are well-incorporated and the texture is smooth.
- Lay a large piece of plastic wrap on the counter, and use your hands to form the cream cheese mixture into a large ball. Place the ball on the sheet of plastic wrap and wrap it up tightly. You can even form your cheeseball into different shapes if you’d like! This can actually be a super festive ideas for different seasons of the year – a football-shape for the fall season, a Christmas ornament shape or bell shape for the holiday season, anything goes!
- Store the cheeseball in the refrigerator for at least two hours. If you can leave it overnight, you’ll notice a huge difference in flavor.
- When it’s time to serve, place your cheeseball in the middle of a large platter or cutting board, and surround it the crackers or veggies of your choice.
Tips For Perfect Cheeseballs
For best results, here are a few of my top tips to help your cheeseball keep it’s shape and texture during your gathering.
- For firm cheeseballs that keep their shape when cut into with a cheese knife, you need to chill the ball. Cheeseballs are a great candidate for making the night before your gathering, chilling in the fridge overnight so that the flavors can develop and the texture can firm up. In a pinch, two hours will be good enough.
- However, if the ball is too firm, it can be hard to spread. Let it stand at room temperature for 20 minutes or so before serving.
- This cheeseball really shouldn’t be left out for more than an hour and a half. If your gathering will go longer than that consider splitting this cheeseball recipe in half and making two, smaller-sized ball. Another option is place an ice packet underneath your serving bowl. This idea is especially helpful when we attend outdoor events – especially during the hot summer months here in the south.
- Because this cheeseball uses a soft cheese as its base, consider placing the ball in a shallow bowl rather than directly on the platter itself.
Storing Leftover Cheeseballs
Leftover cheeseball should be wrapped up tightly in plastic wrap, stored in an airtight container, and placed in the fridge.
It will stay fresh and delicious for up to a week.
If you need it to last longer, place the container with the wrapped cheeseball in the freezer for up to one month.
Just take care to let it thaw in the fridge, not out on the counter.
Variations of this Easy Cheeseball Recipe
Once you’ve got this cheeseball recipe down, a few simple tweaks will reward you with a large variety of cheeseball flavors.
Suit them to your taste!
- Seasonings – Swap out the garlic powder for half a package of French onion soup mix! It still pairs well with the splash of Worcestershire sauce. You could also try a teaspoon of dry Ranch seasoning mix. Do you like heat? Swap the Worcestershire sauce for the hot sauce of your choice.
- Cheese – I love cheeseballs that use cream cheese as a base, because they’re so spreadable. However, you can boost the cheese flavor by adding a handful of a shredded cheese of your choice. Both mild cheddar and sharp cheddar cheese would go particularly well with the salty bacon.
- Coatings – You can choose to roll your cheeseball in a crunchy coating, if you’d like! Use crushed butter crackers, crushed fried onion, poppy seeds, chopped pecans, or even more bacon pieces.
Bacon Cheeseball with Onion
This Bacon Cheeseball is a simple appetizer that is perfect for get togethers. A touch of onion makes it even more delicious!
Equipment
- Mixing Bowl
Ingredients
- 1 Block of Cream Cheese
- 1 Package of Precooked Bacon Pieces
- 1/2 Cup Green Onions
- 1 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
- Splash of Worcestershire Sauce
- Crackers or Veggies
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, add softened cream cheese and all other ingredients.
- Lay a large piece of plastic wrap on the counter, and use your hands to form the cream cheese mixture into a large ball. Place the ball on the sheet of plastic wrap and wrap it up tightly.
- Store the cheeseball in the refrigerator for at least two hours.
- When it's time to serve, place your cheeseball in the middle of a large platter or cutting board, and surround it the crackers or veggies of your choice!
More Delicious Appetizer Ideas
- Avocado-Topped Queso Dip
- Cheesy Bacon Dip Appetizer
- Perfect Spinach Dip Recipe
- Margherita Pasta Salad
