Home » Appetizers and Snacks » Bacon Cheddar Football Cheese Ball

Bacon Cheddar Football Cheese Ball

Name: Bacon Cheddar Football Cheese Ball
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 16 oz cream cheese (softened); 8 oz medium or sharp cheddar (grated); 1/4-1/3 cup chopped green onion (divided); 1/2 tsp garlic powder; 1/8 tsp salt; 1/3 cup finely chopped almonds; 4 slices crispy cooked bacon; 1 slice mozzarella cheese; assorted pretzels; assorted veggie sticks; apple slices; buttery crackers

Published: November 21, 2015Updated: March 10, 2022Author: Jenn Laughlin

Jump to Recipe Pin the Recipe

Tailgate like a champion! This Bacon Cheddar Football Cheese Ball is sure to make a touchdown at your next game day party!

Bacon Cheddar Football Cheese Ball with Pretzels and Almonds

When it comes to game day snackage, I like to keep things simple. Whether we’re entertaining a party of two or twenty, the snack options are always the same: cheese plates, cheesy dips, cheesier nachos, and the cheesiest of cheese balls. Notice a theme?

They’re all EASY!

Okay AND cheesy. My addiction is no secret.

Let’s party!

Bacon Cheddar Football Cheese Ball

Today’s recipe is for the cheeseball of my dreams.

A cheeseball that I’ve festively shaped into a football to appease the touchdown gods…

Don’t let looks deceive you, this impressive snack is so easy you’ll be plotting ways to make this your default appetizer for every future occasion.

Tailgate Party? Football cheese ball!

Your team went to the championship? Football cheese ball!

Baby shower? FOOTBALL CHEESE BALL!

Ok so that last one might have been a wee bit out of place. To each their own.

Whatever you do, whip up this easy peasy cheese ball for your next shindig and get ready to faceplant.

Bacon Cheddar Football Cheese Ball

Tailgate like a champion! This Bacon Cheddar Football Cheese Ball is sure to make a touchdown at your next game day party!

5 from 15 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Bacon Cheddar Football Cheese Ball

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Chill Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Servings: servings

Author: Jenn Laughlin – Peas and Crayons

Ingredients

16 oz cream cheese softened
8 oz medium or sharp cheddar grated
1/4-1/3 cup chopped green onion divided
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/8 tsp salt
1/3 cup finely chopped almonds
4 slices crispy cooked bacon
1 slice mozzarella cheese

SERVE WITH

assorted pretzels
assorted veggie sticks
apple slices
buttery crackers

Instructions

In a medium bowl, combine softened cream cheese, cheddar, salt, garlic powder, and 2-3 TBSP chopped green onion.
Using a hand mixer, or food processor, whip the cream cheese mixture until fluffy.
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!)
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!
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.
Sprinkle/cover with chopped almonds, the remaining green onion, and bacon and press firmly into the cheeseball to coat.
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!
Add all your favorite dippers from the list above and dig in!
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.
Enjoy!

Notes

Optional Make-Ahead Instructions: Follow steps above up til the football-shaping and refrigerate up to 1-2 days in advance. When you’re ready to serve, allow the cheese ball to soften slightly, then add your chopped almonds, green onion, and bacon to the football. I like to add the crunchy toppings at the end since I ADORE the crunchy texture with the creamy cheeseball; though if you don’t mind them softening, you can certainly complete the entire cheese ball before chilling.

Inspired by the lovely cheesy footballs at Mom on Timeout and Kraft Recipes.

Nutrition Facts below are estimated using an online recipe nutrition calculator. Adjust as needed based on choice of dippers and enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 100kcal, Carbohydrates: 1g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 9g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Cholesterol: 26mg, Sodium: 130mg, Potassium: 47mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 294IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 79mg, Iron: 1mg

Did you make this recipe?I want to see! Tag @peasandcrayons on Instagram and Facebook!

If you get a chance to try this Bacon Cheddar Football Cheese Ball, let me know!

You can leave me a comment here (LOVE checking those daily!) or tag @PEASandCRAYONS on Instagram so I can happy dance over your creations. I can’t wait to see what you whip up!

Peace, love, and college football.

What team are you rooting for? Around here it’s Florida State all the way! GO NOLES!

Hungry for more? You’ve GOT to try this Jalapeño Popper Football Cheese Ball next!

more tasty tailgate-worthy game day eats

Buffalo Ranch Football Cheese Ball <– love it so!
Buffalo Shrimp Dip – YES!
Dip it good! 11 Party-Perfect Game Day Dips <– more deeelish tailgate worthy dips

Peas and Crayons is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to amazon.com and affiliated sites at no cost to readers.

About The Author:

Jenn Laughlin

Hi! I’m Jenn and I’m here to help you eat your veggies! It'll be fun, painless, and pretty darn delicious as I teach you to plan your meals around fresh, seasonal produce with a little help from healthy freezer and pantry staples.

Learn More

You Might Also Like...