Football Cheese Ball

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5 from 6 votes

Published on August 27, 2023

, Updated on February 5, 2024

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by Carrie Barnard

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If you are looking for the super bowl party appetizer, make this Football Cheese Ball. Serve it with your favorite crackers for an impressive recipe.

Close up image of Football Cheese Ball on a platter with crackers

Easy Football Cheese Ball Recipe:

This Football Cheese Ball is perfect for all your game day gatherings. It is loaded with flavors and simple ingredients. Everyone is so impressed with the way it looks and how it taste. Which is why I make it for all our parties.

This game day cheese ball is perfect to make ahead and store in the fridge until you are ready to serve. The cheese ball is soft to easily dip your favorite crackers into.

For the perfect game day appetizer, make this impressive cheeseball. Take it to your next tailgating gathering or for the super bowl. It is one of our favorite appetizers to make.

Another delicious game day appetizer is Beanie Weenies. Check out more Cheese Ball Recipes that are perfect for all your family gatherings.

Why You Will Love this Football Cheese Ball:

Easy Ingredients – We love making cheese balls for many occasions. You can make it with a variety of ingredients for a crowd pleasing appetizer.
Simple to Make – This cheese ball is quick and easy to make. We love it that we can make it ahead of time. So it is ready when our friends and family arrive.
Crowd Favorite – Before the big game starts, serve this appetizer to get everyone cheering for their favorite team. It is delicious and always a crowd pleaser.

Cream cheese, garlic salt, hot sauce, worcestershire sauce, ranch seasoning, cheese, green onions, bacon, pecans,

Ingredients:

Serves: 12

Cream Cheese (softened)
Garlic Salt
Hot Sauce
Worcestershire Sauce
Ranch Seasoning (1 packet)
Cheddar Cheese (shredded)
Green Onions (chopped)
Bacon (divided)
Chopped Pecans
Slices Provolone Cheese

How to Make Football Cheese Ball:

Step 1 – Combine Ingredients – Place the cream cheese, garlic salt, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce and Ranch seasoning in a large bowl. Beat with a hand held mixer until combined and the mixture is creamy.

Step 2 – Stir in Cheese – Then hand stir in the shredded cheese. Add green onions and half of the chopped bacon until combined.

Step 3 – Cover Cheese Ball – Cover with plastic wrap and chill for 30-60 minutes until the cream cheese is hardened. We also like to season with salt and pepper.

Step 4 – Shape of a football – Lay a piece of plastic wrap on a working surface. Then place the cream cheese mixture on top. Wrap the plastic wrap around the mixture and roll the mixture into an oval shape. Then pinch the ends of the cheese ball to make a football shape out of the mixture.

Step 5 – Mix in Bacon – Mix together the remaining bacon and chopped pecans. Place this mixture on a large plate.

Step 6 – Roll Cheese Ball – Roll the football shaped cheese ball in bacon and pecan mixture. Roll until it’s fully covered in the pecans and bacon. You can press the mixture into the sides of the cheese balls if it’s easier.

Step 7 – Cut Strips – Use a sharp knife to cut strips out of the provolone cheese. Then lay them onto the cheese ball to make the stripes and laces onto the cheeseball to look like a football.

Step 8 – Chill, Serve and Enjoy – Chill until ready to serve. Serve with your favorite dippers and enjoy.

Can I Make Cheese Ball in Advance?

This is the perfect appetizer to make in advance. The cheese ball needs time to chill, so we like to make it the day before we are serving.

Cheese Ball Football Recipe Tips:

Cream Cheese – Before preparing the cheese ball, make sure the cream cheese has softened to room temperature. This allows you to mix it with the other ingredients with ease.
Cheese – When choosing your favorite cheese to add, make sure to shredded the cheese yourself. Pre-shredded cheese is loaded with other ingredients and doesn’t taste as good as hunk cheese.
Combining Ingredients – When we combine the ingredients, we like to use a hand held mixer. You can also mix with a stand mixer if you prefer.
Ranch Seasoning Mix – This seasoning gives the cheese ball so much flavor, so don’t skip on this. If you prefer you can substitute it with garlic powder, onion powder and black pepper.
Chilling Cheese Bowl – It is important to give time for your cheese ball to chill in the fridge. The ingredients stick together when chilled and it gives it the best flavor.
Cook Bacon – This is a great recipe to use leftover cook bacon. You can also buy bacon bits at the store.

Cheese Ball Variation Ideas:

Cheese – Feel free to change the cheese in this recipe. You can use Monterey jack cheese, mozzarella cheese, or sharp cheddar cheese.
Nuts – We used chopped pecans in this recipe, but you can use walnuts or almonds. This gives the football the brown outer texture.