This Jalapeño Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball is the perfect appetizer for your Thanksgiving holiday. It’s delicious, only requires a handful of ingredients AND you can make it ahead of time!
The countdown is on folks! Two and a half weeks to the big event! The biggest food holiday of the year…Thanksgiving Day!
Are you breaking a sweat yet? I hope not! I’ve got all kinds of delicious recipes here at the BHK to help make your holiday celebration delicious and stress-free. And today we’re starting out with one of the easiest holiday appetizers ever! This Jalapeño Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball.
When my friend Cathy over at What Should I Make For… asked me to be a part of her Virtual Thanksgiving Celebration, I chose to contribute the appetizer to get the party started. I was racking my brain on how I could WOW you guys with an over the top appetizer. But you know what? I reminded myself how busy Thanksgiving day is and how stressful it can be. So I decided to make something that was #1 so incredibly easy, #2 delicious AND #3 something that you could make the day before, so that on Thanksgiving day you could actually enjoy it too. Sound like a plan?
I have made this Jalapeño Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball for so many holidays I’ve lost count. It’s always a hit. It requires only a handful of ingredients and I always make it the day before, so that the day of I only need to grab a tray and dress it up. You’ll need some cream cheese, shredded sharp cheddar, bacon, parsley, almonds (I use Smokehouse Almonds by Blue Diamond), some chopped jalapenos, a little cayenne for some kick and a packet of Hidden Valley Ranch Salad Dressing and Seasoning Mix. The ball is coated in a mixture of chopped almonds, bacon and parsley and there’s also bacon in the ball, so there’s some bacon in every bite!
I place it on a pretty platter with some fresh grapes and a few types of crackers and then grab myself a nice glass of wine to enjoy with it. Sometimes I add a small bowl of assorted olives and some slices of peppered salami, but I don’t like to over do it because I know the Thanksgiving meal is up next.
I hope you guys add this recipe to your Thanksgiving menu because it couldn’t be easier and I guarantee your guests will love it. Just scroll down to check out all the other fabulous Thanksgiving recipes from my fellow blogger friends! We’ve got your holiday covered! Have an awesome week!
Garlic Butter Dinner Rolls – Kathleen from Hapa Nom Nom
Brussels Sprout Salad with Pear and Pomegranate – Karen from Seasonal Cravings
Apple & Cheddar Hard Cider Soup with Crispy Prosciutto & Pumpkin Seeds – Cheyanne from No Spoon Necessary
Traditional Thanksgiving Stuffing with Sausage and Apples – Annie from Ciao Chow Bambina
Garlic and Herb Roast Turkey with Cider Pan Gravy – Cathy from What Should I Make For…
Meet the Queen of Pumpkin Cakes – Cindy from The Sweet Nerd
Ingredients
- 8 slices bacon diced
- 1/4 cup almonds chopped (I use Smokehouse Almonds by Blue Diamond)
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped
- 2 8 oz. packages cream cheese room temperature
- 1 1/4 cup shredded sharp yellow cheddar cheese
- 1 one ounce package Hidden Valley Ranch Seasoning and Salad Dressing Mix
- 1/4 cup finely chopped jalapenos
- 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium high heat until crisp. Remove to paper towel lined plate. Once cool, chop into small pieces. In a small bowl, mix half of the bacon with the chopped almonds and parsley. Set aside.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine cream cheese, cheddar cheese, Ranch seasoning mix, jalapenos and cayenne pepper and the remaining bacon.
- Place mixture in a bowl and cover and refrigerate overnight.
- Remove the mixture from the refrigerator and shape into a ball using wax paper to prevent the mixture from sticking. Roll the ball in the mixture of bacon, almonds and parsley. Place on a platter and serve with crackers and fresh grapes.
What a fun virtual celebration! For several years, my mom and I would have a Christmas Eve party consisting of just the two of us, a cheese ball and ritz crackers! A fun and dangerous party ;) We might have to bring the tradition back so we can try this stunning variety!
Well, I hope you bring back the tradition Megan! Have an awesome week! XO
Wow! That is an epic cheese ball and so perfect for entertaining. Love all the great flavours and so pretty, too :)
I thought sharing something easy AND delicious would be perfect for Thanksgiving day Jennifer. We all know how stressful the day can sometimes be, so I’ll save the more elaborate recipes for another time when everyone is a bit more relaxed and has more time on their hands. This has been a hit at holiday time at our house for years! Enjoy your week! XO
I won’t lie, I have a small (err large if I’m being honest) obsession with cheese balls. Like, I absolutely LOVE them. If one is around I normally eat so much of it I ruin my appetite for the actual dinner. Lol. And I KNOW I would eat ALL of this Jalapeño Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball, Mary Ann! You used some of my favorite things in here, plus it’s pretty to boot! Cheese ball heaven! Pinned! Cheers!
I think most people don’t think of making these and they’re so easy and always so delicious! You can dress up the platter to make it look like you put so much time into it when it was really a piece of cake! Hope you enjoy Chey! Have a wonderful week!
There is no doubt my guests will love this…and I’ll be leading the way! This is so pretty, MaryAnn! I can hardly wait to try it!
Thanks Annie! I thought something easy to make ahead of time would be the perfect thing to share for the Thanksgiving appetizer menu! We know how busy that day can be! Have a great week!
Love it! Cheese balls are truly the best over the holidays. I know this will become one of my dad’s favorites!
Yay! It’s so easy and always a crowd pleaser Karen! Have a fabulous week! XO
This cheeseball is right up my alley Mary Ann. 8′ definitely giving this a go!
Awesome Alida! Hope you enjoy it! XO
Wow, just in time! I’ve been looking for a great cheeseball appetizer for Thanksgiving. This cheeseball looks Delish! I have one question though. Your recipe states 1/4 finely chopped jalapeños. Is it 1/4 tsp., or 1/4 of a jalapeño or just to taste? Thanks for clarifying this! I’m definitely gonna make this!
Thanks so much for catching that Nancie! It’s a 1/4 cup! You can honestly just add however much you like though. Hope you enjoy!
This looks amazing. That is a brilliant idea to have an appetizer before Thanksgiving. I love that you are sharing something you have made many times over and so it is tried and true. Appreciate that. And that combination of ingredients will be well received by my family! Cheers –
We all need a little something totally stress-free on the menu! Right? Hope you enjoy!
I can’t think of a better way to kick off the holiday festivities! My guests would go crazy for this…just added it to our menu!
Yay! Hope you all enjoy it Cathy! Thanks so much for organizing the Virtual Thanksgiving celebration! XO
I could easily eat that by the spoonful, looks amazing!
Ha! It’s always a crowd pleaser Matt! I think anything with bacon is!
I feel like no holiday appetizer spread is complete without some sort of cheeseball and this one sure as heck delivers!
Thanks so much Gina! It’s a fave!
Oh, yes! Cheese ball for the win!! You’ve certainly took this one over the top with the bacon and I LOVE it, Mary Ann! I always associate cheese balls with the holidays, especially Christmas. Great idea pairing it with some grapes! It would certainly be difficult for me not to over indulge on this ball because the flavours are just so darn good! Pinned, of course. Happy Monday! xo
Me too Dawn! I love it because it’s not only delicious but I can make it ahead of time! Have an awesome week! I’ll be dreaming of your mac-n-cheese! XO
Love this, Mary Ann. Appetizers and cocktails before starting to eat is one of my favorite parts of Thanksgiving – a chance to catch up with everyone before we sit down for the feast. This cheese ball looks absolutely delicious and your photos are just gorgeous!
Mine too Geraldine! And the turkey sandwich late night after the celebration is over! Thanks so much. I always appreciate your compliments! XO
This would be one of those appetizers that would put me in danger of ‘ruining’ my dinner ;) Cream cheese, bacon, ranch…. once I start, I don’t know if I could stop! And I love how quick and easy it is to make – a definite plus when making a large meal! I can’t wait to kick off an awesome holiday meal with this!
Thanks Kathleen! I always try to make the apps easy around the holidays! Hope you enjoy if you try! Have a terrific week!
This is just a thing of beauty, it’s as if a royal crown has been presented for me to eat! It has all my favorite flavors and is quite impressive Mary Ann, wow! The chopped almonds on the outside were surprising and I bet add even more to this. Gorgeous photos BTW… :)
Awww, thanks so much Kevin! I’m so glad you like it. I love those smokehouse almonds from Blue Diamond, so it was a way to add even more flavor! Enjoy!
This looks amazing. Also, I can totally hand it to my mom to make. She’s a no-wheat, no-sugar kind of gal so I’m always struggling with how to include her in carb-heavy holidays. Thanks!
So happy she’ll be able to enjoy it then April! Lots more Thanksgiving inspired recipes to come! Stay tuned. And thanks so much for commenting!
Wow! This is a people-pleaser if ever I saw one! I know most everyone in my family would love it (me included!). I’m definitely all for anything that can be made ahead, especially for Thanksgiving and this sounds perfect!
I feel so much better when I can make a few things ahead of time on busy holidays Stephanie! More time to enjoy time with family! Have a great day!
That is one pretty cheese ball! I love the color with the jalapeno in there and who doesn’t love bacon?!?!?!
Yes, that bacon!! Cover anything in bacon and I’m in for sure!
You had me at jalapeno!!!
YESSSSS!!!
Such a great appetizer for the upcoming holidays! Love a little spice! :)
An easy appy is always the perfect ting for busy holidays!
Gorgeous for certain, and sounds yummy too♥
Thanks so much Summer! It’s really easy and so tasty!
Mary Ann, I’m sure this cheeseball will be a hit on any holiday table. It looks delicious.
Thanks Gerlinde! It’s always a hit at our house!
This is the perfect holiday appetizer, or even game day snack! What a crowd pleaser!
So easy to whip up too Laura!
I think I’m the only person in the world without a stand mixer. What could be used instead of a paddle attachment? Does it make a big difference in taste and/or texture if blended by hand?
Hi Webster! No worries! Just mix by hand with a rubber spatula. It’s just quicker with a stand mixer. In most situations you can always mix by hand. It just takes a bit longer. I hope you enjoy this one! Happy Holiday my friend!
Thank you for a new tradition. I’ve made two so far. I used 1 jalapeño cream cheese and one regular cream cheese. Yummy yummy. Everyone loved them.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it Noreen! Great idea to use the jalapeno cream cheese too. Thanks so much for following along at the BHK!
Have you tried this without the almonds? I’m allergic to all tree nuts and peanuts. I’m just hoping I’m not taking anything away from it by omitting the almonds. I am going to make this for my ugly Christmas sweater party this weekend!
Yes, sometimes I omit the almonds and add chopped pretzels instead which is just as delicious! I hope you all enjoy it! Thanks so much for following! Happy Holidays!
Hi there! Is it necessary to refrigerate overnight?
Hi Lisa. No, it’s not totally necessary to refrigerate overnight. It’s just easier to shape it into a ball if it’s a bit firmer. You could refrigerate for a few hours to firm it up and then shape into a ball if you’re crunched for time. Enjoy and Happy New Year!
I made this for my son and daughter-in-law’s wedding reception. It was the hit of the reception! It was gone so fast that I didn’t even have a chance to eat any!
That’s great to hear Renea! So happy everyone enjoyed it! You’ll need to make another so you can give it a try!