Kamil Perry
Bacon and cheese balls are a popular snack or appetiser for parties and holiday gatherings. They are made by combining cheeses, spices, and bacon, shaping the mixture into balls, and then rolling them in bacon bits or other coatings. The cheese balls can be served immediately or refrigerated until ready to serve. This recipe is versatile, with options to add other ingredients such as ranch seasoning, garlic powder, or nuts for a unique flavour profile.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Cream cheese, cheddar, parmesan, garlic, kosher salt, black pepper, parsley, cayenne pepper, and bacon bits |
| Preparation | Mix ingredients in a large bowl, freeze the mixture for 15 minutes, shape the mixture into balls, roll the balls in bacon bits, and serve immediately or refrigerate |
| Serving Temperature | Room temperature or chilled |
| Storage | Can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator until ready to serve; leftovers can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days |
| Yield | Approximately 12 balls, depending on size |
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What You'll Learn
Cheese ball ingredients
Cheese balls are usually made with a combination of cheeses, spices, and bacon. The cheeses used are typically cream cheese, cheddar, and parmesan. Cream cheese is ideal for creating the perfect round shape of a classic cheese ball, and its soft and easily shapeable texture makes it a good base to which other cheeses can be added to enhance the flavor. Cheddar is a popular choice because its sharp, slightly nutty flavor contrasts well with the creaminess of the cream cheese. Parmesan is another option, but it should be finely grated rather than coarsely shredded.
Other ingredients can be added to the cheese mixture to create different flavors. For example, one recipe includes garlic, kosher salt, black pepper, parsley, and cayenne pepper. Another recipe includes ranch seasoning, garlic powder, minced onion, salt, pepper, pepper jack cheese, green onions, and poppy seeds. A unique ingredient in some cheese ball recipes is beer, which adds a secret flavor that takes the cheese ball over the top.
Once the cheese mixture is blended, it is typically chilled before being shaped into balls. The balls are then rolled in bacon bits or crumbled bacon strips to coat them. Bacon lovers can even add extra bacon to the cheese mixture itself. The bacon coating not only adds flavor but also a crunchy texture to the cheese ball.
In addition to bacon, there are other options for coating the cheese balls. Some alternatives include oregano, paprika, chopped pecans, sesame seeds, or a mixture of these ingredients. The coated cheese balls can be served immediately or refrigerated until ready to serve. They are typically served with crackers or vegetables for dipping.
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Bacon ball ingredients
Bacon ball recipes vary, but they all include bacon as a key ingredient. Bacon is used to coat the cheese ball, adding a smoky flavour and crunchy texture. The bacon can be fried, or raw, and is usually cut into small pieces or bits. Some recipes suggest using a food processor to pulse the bacon into small bits. The bacon coating can be applied in a number of ways: rolling the cheese ball in the bacon bits, pressing the bacon bits onto the cheese, or mixing the bacon with other ingredients to create a coating.
Some recipes suggest adding other ingredients to the bacon coating. Oregano, paprika, chopped pecans, sesame seeds, and poppy seeds can all be mixed with the bacon to create a unique flavour and texture. One recipe suggests using cooked and crumbled bacon, mixed with chives, to coat the cheese ball.
The bacon coating can be applied directly to the cheese, or the cheese can be covered in plastic wrap first. Covering the cheese ball in plastic wrap helps to create a smooth, round shape, and makes it easier to apply the bacon coating. The cheese ball can then be refrigerated until ready to serve.
Some recipes suggest using a mixture of cheeses, while others call for just one type of cheese. Common cheeses used in bacon balls include cream cheese, cheddar, and pepper jack. The cheese is mixed with other ingredients, such as garlic, salt, and pepper, to create a flavourful and creamy base for the bacon coating.
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Shaping and freezing cheese balls
Shaping and freezing the cheese mixture is an important step in making cheese and bacon balls. This step ensures the cheese balls hold their shape and are easy to work with when coating and serving. Here is a detailed guide on how to shape and freeze cheese balls:
Firstly, after blending all the ingredients together, the cheese mixture should be placed in the freezer for around 15 minutes. It is important to note that the mixture should be frozen in a shallow layer to ensure even freezing. Freezing the mixture makes it easier to shape into balls, as it firms up the soft and creamy cheese mixture.
Next, the cheese mixture is shaped into balls. A measuring tablespoon can be used to scoop out the desired amount of cheese mixture, and then rolled into a ball shape. The size of the cheese balls can vary depending on personal preference. Some recipes suggest making smaller cheese balls, around 1 inch in size, while others make larger, giant cheese balls.
After shaping, the cheese balls can be rolled in the coating. If using bacon bits as a coating, it is best to roll the cheese balls in the bacon immediately after shaping, as the bacon will stick better to the outside of the cheese balls. Other coating options include oregano, paprika, chopped pecans, sesame seeds, or a mixture of these ingredients.
Finally, the coated cheese balls can be refrigerated until ready to serve. It is recommended to remove the cheese balls from the fridge 30 minutes before serving to bring them to room temperature. This ensures the cheese balls are soft and easy to spread or dip.
While freezing the cheese mixture is beneficial for shaping, it is generally not recommended to freeze the final cheese and bacon balls, as this can negatively affect the texture of the cream cheese, making it gritty. Instead, the shaped and coated cheese balls can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week.
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Coating cheese balls with bacon
Once your bacon is ready, it's time to shape your cheese mixture into balls. The cheese mixture should be blended and chilled in the freezer beforehand to make shaping easier. Use a measuring tablespoon or a cookie scoop to portion out the cheese mixture, then gently roll it into balls with your hands.
Now, it's time to coat the cheese balls with bacon. Unwrap the cheese balls from the plastic wrap and gently roll them in the bowl of bacon until they are completely covered. Press the bacon lightly onto the surface of the cheese balls to ensure it sticks. You can also add other ingredients to the bacon coating, such as minced chives, pecans, sesame seeds, or oregano, for extra flavour and texture.
Finally, place the coated cheese balls on a serving dish or plate. If you're not serving them immediately, cover the plate with plastic wrap and refrigerate until needed. For the best texture and flavour, remove the cheese balls from the fridge 30 minutes before serving. Bacon-coated cheese balls will usually last for about 24-48 hours, depending on the freshness of the bacon and the type of cheese used.
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Storing and serving cheese and bacon balls
Cheese and bacon balls can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to a week if they are prepared without the bacon coating. Once the bacon coating is added, the cheese balls will last for approximately 24 to 48 hours, depending on the level of sogginess that develops in the bacon. It is not advisable to freeze cheese and bacon balls, as freezing will significantly alter the texture of the cream cheese, making it gritty.
When serving cheese and bacon balls, it is best to pair them with something crunchy and dippable. Crackers and vegetables are excellent choices to accompany the creamy and rich flavours of the cheese and bacon balls. Butter crackers, such as Ritz, or a simple bag of baby carrots can be perfect accompaniments. Heartier, saltier crackers like Wheat Thins are also a popular choice for scooping up the cheese and bacon mixture.
If you have any leftovers, which is unlikely due to the popularity of this dish, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days. However, it is recommended to enjoy the cheese and bacon balls fresh, as they are at their best when first served.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need cream cheese, cheddar, parmesan, garlic, kosher salt, black pepper, parsley, cayenne pepper, and bacon bits. You can also add other ingredients like oregano, paprika, pecans, sesame seeds, ranch seasoning, sour cream, green onions, poppy seeds, or beer.
First, mix the cheeses, spices, and any other additional ingredients (except the bacon bits) in a large bowl until blended. Freeze the mixture for about 15 minutes. Then, shape the mixture into balls and roll them in the bacon bits to coat them. You can serve them immediately or refrigerate them until ready to serve.
Cheese and bacon balls can be made ahead of time and refrigerated for up to a week without the bacon coating. Once coated in bacon, they will last for about 24-48 hours, depending on how soggy the bacon gets.
