Tailgate like a champion! This Bacon Cheddar Football Cheese Ball is sure to make a touchdown at your next game day party!
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Keyword Bacon Cheddar Football Cheese Ball
Prep Time 15 minutesminutes
Chill Time 30 minutesminutes
Total Time 15 minutesminutes
Servings 30servings
Calories 100kcal
Author Jenn Laughlin - Peas and Crayons
Ingredients
16ozcream cheesesoftened
8ozmedium or sharp cheddargrated
1/4-1/3cupchopped green oniondivided
½tspgarlic powder
⅛tspsalt
⅓cupfinely chopped almonds
4slicescrispy cooked bacon
1slicemozzarella 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!