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Who needs new (and impressive!) appetizers? I thought so.My simplicity Cheese Balls Recipe Coming to the rescue!I like to have something impressive and simple appetizer recipes In my back pocket, this one is no exception. It looks beautiful, tastes delicious, and is so easy to make! The best part? This Bacon Cream Cheese Balls are made with just 5 simple ingredients you probably already have.
Why You’ll Love This Cheese Ball Recipe
- Salty and Cheesy
- Smooth and creamy with a crispy outer layer
- Just 5 ingredients
- 10 minutes prep, no cooking required (just refrigerate!)
- Customize your own cheese ball recipe
- A classic holiday appetizer for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any occasion

Ingredients and Substitutions
This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for homemade cheese balls, the role of each ingredient in the recipe, and substitution options.For measurements see Recipe card below.
- cream cheese – This is the foundation of any cheese ball recipe. I used plain cream cheese, but you can also use other savory flavors such as garlic herb or vegetable. For best results, leave it at room temperature for about 30 minutes to soften. Softened cream cheese mixes more easily with shredded cheese.
- grated cheese – I used sharp cheddar, but feel free to use other types of cheese such as Monterey Jack, Colby, Pepper Jack, Gouda, Swiss, Parmesan, or Mozzarella .
- Bacon cubes – You can use real Bacon cubes For convenience but crashes Bacon in the oven It tastes better.
- onion – You can substitute chopped chives, parsley, or even diced red onion for a stronger texture.
- nut – Chopped pecans add the perfect crunch. Other nuts, such as almonds or walnuts, also work. For a nut-free option in this cheese balls recipe, try sesame seeds.

How to Make Cheese Balls
This section shows how to make cheese balls, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique to help you visualize it.For full instructions, including quantities and temperatures, see Recipe card below.
- Mix in cheese. Beat cream cheese and cheddar cheese together on high power mixer, food processor Comes with plastic dough blade attachment, or stand mixer Comes with paddle attachment. (Do not use the blade unless you want shredded cheese.)
- Shape and cool. Shape the cheese mixture into a ball, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator until firm.


- Mix ingredients. In a medium bowl, stir together bacon slices, scallions, and pecans. Roll the balls into the mixture.
- refrigeration. Wrap the ball tightly in plastic wrap. Refrigerate cheese balls recipe until ready to serve.


Storage instructions
- Shop: Wrap this easy cheese balls recipe tightly in plastic wrap and store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. But the crispy coating tastes best within 24 hours.
- freeze: Most cheese ball recipes freeze well, but you need to be careful to avoid freezer burn or drying out. Wrap in two layers of plastic wrap, then foil, and freeze for up to 1-2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving.
Cheese Ball Recipe Variations
The best part about this easy cheese balls recipe is that you can easily customize it with a variety of mixes and coatings to create your own unique flavor. Here are some ideas:
- Jalapeño Poppers – For extra spiciness, add 1-2 chopped jalapenos to the cream cheese mixture.
- bacon ranch – Add 2 tablespoons dry ranch seasoning into cream cheese mixture.
- cranberry – Mix 1/3 cup Dried cranberries Add them to the cheese mixture or use them as a coating instead of bacon.
- Dill Pickles – Add 1/3 cup chopped dill pickles to the cream cheese mixture and replace the scallions with 2 tablespoons fresh dill.
- garlic – Add 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder or even a few cloves of garlic powder roasted garlic Pour into cream cheese mixture.
- dip – Skip cooling or forming cheese balls, add 1/3 cup sour cream or ranch seasoning into cheese mixture. Sprinkle over the coating as a topping instead of rolling, and as a dipping sauce.
How to eat cheese balls
This appetizer is perfect for a charcuterie board. Here are some other ideas on how to pair it:
- vegetable – Carrots, celery stalks, and even green cauliflower are all great choices for crunch and color. These are sturdy enough to withstand cheese balls.
- cookie – When I have time, I like to make healthy homemade cookies, such as three-ingredient cookies Almond Flour Cookies or Flaxseed Cookies.My favorite store purchase option is Sweet Potato Cookiesas shown in the photo above.
- potato chips – Pita chips or tortilla chips are often the go-to holiday appetizers.
More Easy Cold Appetizer Recipes
Looking for an easier appetizer with minimal prep time? Here are some of my quick and easy appetizer recipes that require no cooking:
Cheese Balls Recipe (5 Ingredients!)
This easy cheese ball recipe consists of cream cheese, cheddar cheese, bacon, and scallions and takes just 10 minutes to prepare. An easy appetizer that everyone loves!
Prepare: 10 Every minute
All: 10 Every minute
Serving size: 16 (Adjust according to recipe proportion)
raw material
Click on the underlined ingredients to see where you get them. Please turn off Safari reader mode to view ingredients.
instruct
Click on the time in the instructions below to start the kitchen timer while cooking.
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Beat cream cheese and cheddar cheese together on high power mixer, food processor Comes with plastic dough blade attachment, hand mixer or stand mixer Comes with paddle attachment.
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Shape cheese into balls, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate 1-2 hoursuntil firm.
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In a medium bowl, stir together bacon slices, scallions, and pecans. Roll cheese balls into mixture.
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Wrap the ball tightly in plastic wrap. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
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Recipe Notes
Serving size: 2 tablespoons
nutrient content
Amount per serving. Serving sizes in recipe instructions above.
Calories 185
fat 15.5 grams
protein 6.7 grams
total carbohydrates 5.1 grams
net carbs 3.8 grams
fiber 1.3 grams
sugar 1.1g
Nutritional facts are provided as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you’re getting different results?Please check out our nutrition policy.
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