Tailgating is all about good food, fun company and cheering on your favorite team. This Easy Bacon Cheddar Football Cheese Ball is a showstopper and will be a hit at your next tailgate party. Made with cream cheese, cheddar cheese, cooked bacon, spices, covered in chopped pecans and shaped into a football to make it extra special.
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This Bacon Cheddar Football Cheese Ball is as fun to make as it is to eat. Start by mixing softened cream cheese with shredded cheddar cheese, crispy bacon pieces, green onions and spices. The combination of creamy, smoky and tangy flavors come together to create a perfect savory dip. Once you have mixed all the ingredients together, shape the mixture into a football, cover with crushed pecans and use sour cream to create the iconic football laces.
Serve the cheese ball with crackers, pretzels or veggies for dipping. This tailgate appetizer is easy to make ahead and will be a hit at your next football watching party paired with our favorite Spinach Artichoke Dip or Tailgate Snack Mix.
Ingredient Notes
Cream Cheese
The best of the cheese ball, cream cheese, is rich in flavor, smooth texture that holds everything together. Make sure it is softened so that it is easier to mix with the other ingredients.
Shredded Cheddar Cheese
Sharp cheddar adds a robust, tangy flavor that pairs perfectly with the cream cheese base.
Cooked Bacon
Everything is better with bacon. Adding crispy, salty bits of bacon gives this cheese ball a smoky flavor.
Spices
Garlic powder and parsley are the only spices you need for this cheese ball.
Crushed Pecans
For an added crunch and the perfect brown topping to create the a football design. Make sure that the pecan are chopped extra fine.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Prepare the Cheese Ball
- In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer, combine the cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, green onions, crispy bacon pieces, garlic powder and parsley.
- Mix all ingredients together until fully combined and smooth.
Shape the Cheese Ball
- Roll the cheese ball into a ball and wrap up in plastic wrap. Start to shape the cheese ball into a football shape.
- Chill the football cheese ball for at least an hour or until firm.
- Unroll the cheese ball and continue to shape the cheese ball until you have created the perfect football
Cover in Pecans
- Roll the football shaped cheese ball in the finely chopped pecans until fully coated
- Place the cheese ball on a platter and finish the football by piping sour cream to create the laces.
- Serve with crackers, pretzels and veggies. Enjoy!
Tips To Make The Best Cheese Ball
Room Temperature Ingredients
Before assembling your cheese ball, make sure that all your ingredients are at room temperature. This will ensure all the ingredients coming together and creating the perfect cheese ball.
Make In Advance
Cheese balls are perfect for every party and prepping in advance is key. Cheese balls can be made the day before to free up some time on the day of the party. Once the cheese ball is assembled, wrap it in plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve. Allow the cheese ball to sit out for about an hour before serving.
Yes! Make your cheese ball and form it in plastic wrap. Once the cheese ball is formed and wrapped, place it in a freeze bag, seal and freeze until you are ready to use it. Once you are ready to serve it, pull it out of the freezer one day in advance. The day you plan to serve the cheese ball you can roll it in the pecan topping.
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Ingredients
- 2 8 Ounce Packages Cream Cheese Softened
- 1 ½ Cups Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese
- ¼ Cup Crispy Bacon Finely Chopped
- ¼ Cup Green Onions Finely Chopped
- 1 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 Teaspoon Dried Parsley
- 1 Cup Pecans Finely Chopped
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer with paddle attachment, combine the cream cheese, cheddar cheese, crispy bacon pieces, green onions, garlic powder and dried parsley. (DO NOT add the pecans)
- Mix until fully combined and smooth.
- Place the cheese mixture on a piece of plastic wrap and roll to form a ball and then slow roll to shape into a football.
- Wrap the cheese ball fully in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour or until the cheese ball is set.
- Remove the cheese ball from the plastic wrap, roll it in chopped pecans until fully covered and place on a serving platter.
- Using sour cream and a piping bag, pipe the football laces on the top of the cheese ball.
- Serve with crackers, pretzels and veggies. Enjoy!
Nutrition
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