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Bacon Cheddar Football Cheese Ball
5 from 48 votes

Bacon Cheddar Football Cheese Ball

The Bacon Cheddar Football Cheese Ball is a creamy blend of softened cream cheese and shredded cheddar, mixed with garlic powder and green onions, shaped into a football, and coated with chopped almonds, green onion, and crispy bacon. This appetizer balances a smooth, cheesy interior with crunchy toppings, making it both fun to serve and flavorful.

Prep Time
15 mins
Additional Time
30 mins
Total Time
15 mins
Servings: 30 servings
Calories: 100 kcal
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 16 oz cream cheese softened
  • 8 oz cheddar cheese grated, medium or sharp
  • 1/4-1/3 cup green onion divided, chopped
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ⅛ tsp salt
  • ⅓ cup almonds finely chopped
  • 4 lices Bacon crispy, cooked
  • 1 lice mozzarella cheese
SERVE WITH
  • pretzels assorted varieties
  • veggies sticks assorted varieties
  • apple slices
  • crackers buttery

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. In a medium bowl, combine softened cream cheese, cheddar, salt, garlic powder, and 2-3 TBSP chopped green onion.
  2. Using a hand mixer, or food processor, whip the cream cheese mixture until fluffy.
  3. Line a small bowl with plastic wrap and add your cream cheese mixture, pressing it into the bowl while you roll into a plastic-wrapped ball (your hands stay cleanish this way, but feel free to skip the plastic and get messy!)
  4. Place the cheeseball on a flat surface and shape into a football. You'll want to press down on the middle and sort of pinch the sides while you press it into an edible football. I promise it's super duper easy, relive those play dough days and have fun with it!
  5. If cheese ball is too soft, cover with plastic and pop it in the fridge for 30-60 minutes. You can even make this part in advance and chill overnight. Mine was still firm yet soft enough to coat with toppings so I went with it.
  6. Sprinkle/cover with chopped almonds, the remaining green onion, and bacon and press firmly into the cheeseball to coat.
  7. For the laces, snag a slice of mozzarella cheese (though you can also use a slice from a large square of mozz as well as a cheese stick) and use a sharpened knife to cut it into thin slices. Cut one long slice for the center of the football and smaller slices for the laces. Place the long slice horizontally along the center of the football, then arrange the small slices horizontally on top. Again, super simple and you can basically use any cheese you'd like, if needed!
  8. Add all your favorite dippers from the list above and dig in!
  9. This cheese ball can stay room temperature for up to 4 hours before you need to pop it in the fridge. Leftovers taste deeeeeelicious spread on pretty much everything in sight the following day.
  10. Enjoy!

Notes

  • Prepare the cheese ball up to shaping and refrigerate for 1-2 days before coating to enhance flavors and ease handling.
  • Add crunchy almond, green onion, and bacon toppings just before serving to maintain crispness.
  • Serve with a variety of dippers such as pretzels, veggie sticks, apple slices, and buttery crackers.
  • Use softened cream cheese and whip thoroughly for a light and fluffy texture inside the cheese ball.

Nutrition Information

Calories 100kcal (5%) Carbohydrates 1g (0%) Protein 4g (8%) Fat 9g (14%) Saturated Fat 5g (25%) Cholesterol 26mg (9%) Sodium 130mg (5%) Potassium 47mg (1%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 1g (2%) Vitamin A 294IU (6%) Vitamin C 1mg (1%) Calcium 79mg (8%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 30 servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 100

% Daily Value*

Calories 100kcal 5%
Carbohydrates 1g 0%
Protein 4g 8%
Fat 9g 14%
Saturated Fat 5g 25%
Cholesterol 26mg 9%
Sodium 130mg 5%
Potassium 47mg 1%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 1g 2%
Vitamin A 294IU 6%
Vitamin C 1mg 1%
Calcium 79mg 8%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.