Football Cheese Ball

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. Try these other game day appetizers such as Beanie Weenies, Cheese Ball Recipes and this Pumpkin Cheeseball 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.

Ingredients 

• Cream Cheese – To easily combine ingredients, make sure cream cheese is softened
• Garlic Salt – See The Best Garlic Salt Substitute if you are out
• Worcestershire Sauce – Check out The Best Worcestershire Sauce Substitutes if you a out
• Ranch Seasoning – Learn How to Make Homemade Ranch Dressing Mix
• Cheddar Cheese – Shred cheese from bulk cheese for best results
• Green Onions – Chop green onions into bite size pieces 
• Bacon – Cook bacon in skillet and then chop into small pieces. We have also used bacon bits for great results 

Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe and ingredients in the recipe card.

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.

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 large sheet of plastic wrap and chill for 30-60 minutes until the cream cheese is hardened. We also like to season with salt and pepper. 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 4 – Mix in Bacon – Mix together the remaining bacon and chopped pecans.  Place this mixture on a large plate. 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 5 – 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. Chill until ready to serve.  Serve with your favorite dippers and enjoy.

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 – Cook bacon in skillet and drain excess grease on paper towels. This is a great recipe to use leftover cook bacon.

What to Serve with Football Cheese Ball?

This cheese ball is perfect to serve on a serving platter with your favorite sides. These are some of our favorite dippers.

• Pretzels
• Ritz Crackers
• Carrots
• Celery
• French Bread
• Breadsticks
• Bell Peppers

Frequently Asked Questions