05/30/2026
Cheese balls are a must-have appetizer for parties and holidays. They're so easy to make and have so much flavor! Best part? You can serve them with anything; veggies (carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, celery, peppers), pretzels, bagel chips, crostini, pita, tortilla chips and of course, crackers.
Ingredients
▢8 oz bacon, chopped, divided
▢1/4 cup sour cream
▢16 oz cream cheese, room temp
▢1/2 cup Mexican cheese, shredded (4 cheese blend)
▢1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded and divided
▢1/4 cup green onions, chopped and divided
▢1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
▢1 teaspoon hot sauce (won't add spiciness, just flavor)
▢1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
▢1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
▢1/2 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
▢dash freshly ground black pepper
▢1 1/4 tsp poppyseeds, divided
▢1/2 cup walnuts or pecan, chopped and divided
Directions
1. Cut bacon into small pieces and sauté until cooked. Once cooled, set aside 1/4 of the bacon for the topping.
2. In a bowl, add 3/4 of the bacon, sour cream, cream cheese, four-cheese blend, 1 1/4 cup cheddar cheese, 3 Tbsp green onions, 1/4 cup walnuts, dry seasonings, and 1 tsp poppy seeds. With a spatula, mix all ingredients until well combined.
3. Finely chop the remaining 1/4 of bacon, 1/4 cup cheddar cheese, 1 Tbsp green onion, and 1/4 cup nuts. Mix together with the 1/4 tsp poppy seed. Spread this mixture onto a cutting board.
4. Form a ball out of the cheese mixture and roll the cheese ball over the toppings to fully coat and shape into an even ball as it's coated. Serve right away or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
*Pro tip - shred your own cheese for better flavor.
