Description
These Mini Bacon Ranch Cheese Balls are creamy, smoky, and coated in a crunchy pecan-parsley mix — the ultimate crowd-pleasing appetizer! With a pretzel stick handle, they’re cute, fun, and perfectly poppable for parties, holidays, or game days.
Ingredients
16 oz (450 g) cream cheese, softened
1 oz (28 g) dry ranch seasoning mix
1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
¾ cup cooked bacon, finely chopped
½ cup pecans, finely chopped
⅓ cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
20 mini pretzel sticks (for serving)
Instructions
-
Mix the base
In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and ranch seasoning together until smooth and creamy. -
Add the good stuff
Stir in the cheddar cheese, half of the chopped bacon, and a spoonful of parsley. Mix until everything is well combined. -
Form the balls
Using clean hands or a small scoop, shape the mixture into 1–1½ inch balls. You should get about 20 mini cheese balls. -
Roll and coat
In a shallow bowl, mix the remaining bacon, parsley, and chopped pecans. Roll each cheese ball in this coating until fully covered. -
Chill before serving
Place the cheese balls on a plate or tray, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. This helps them firm up and develop flavor. -
Add pretzels and enjoy!
Just before serving, insert a pretzel stick into each mini cheese ball. Serve chilled or slightly cool for the best texture.
Notes
- Make ahead: You can prepare these cheese balls up to 2 days in advance. Just store them in an airtight container and add the pretzels right before serving.
- Nut-free version: Skip the pecans and roll the cheese balls in chopped chives or crispy bacon instead.
- For extra flavor: Mix in a few dashes of hot sauce or a sprinkle of garlic powder.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Category: Appetizer / Snack
- Cuisine: American