If you’re looking for an easy appetizer for the holidays, this Pecan Bacon Cheeseball Recipe is one to add to your menu!
It’s made with cream cheese, cheddar cheese, bacon, chopped pecans, and everything bagel seasoning. The combination is creamy, cheesy, and full of flavor, with a crunchy coating on the outside.
Whether you’re putting together a snack board for Christmas, having friends over for game night, or need something simple to bring to a party, this cheeseball is easy to prepare and looks great served with crackers.
Why You’ll Love This Pecan Bacon Cheeseball
- Easy to make: The original recipe calls for just 5 minutes of prep time, plus refrigeration.
- No baking required: Everything gets mixed together, shaped into a ball, and chilled.
- Great for entertaining: Set it out with crackers as part of an appetizer spread.
- Lots of flavor: Cheddar, bacon, pecans, scallions, and everything bagel seasoning make a delicious combination.
- Perfect for the holidays: The pecan and bacon coating makes it a fun addition to your Christmas appetizer table.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You only need a handful of ingredients to make this easy cheeseball recipe.
- Cream cheese: Creates the creamy base and helps hold everything together.
- Shredded triple cheddar cheese: Adds plenty of cheesy flavor.
- Bacon bits: Half goes into the cheeseball, and the other half is used for the outside coating.
- Pecans: Add crunch and texture both inside and outside.
- Scallions: Bring a mild onion flavor and a little color.
- Milk: Helps combine the cheeses and other ingredients.
- Everything bagel seasoning: Adds a savory blend of seasonings.
- Onion powder: Gives the cheeseball extra onion flavor.
- Garlic powder: Adds a little garlic flavor.
- Salt, to taste: Adjust according to your preference.
- Crushed black pepper, to taste: Adds a little extra seasoning.
How to Make Pecan Bacon Cheeseball
This recipe comes together in a few simple steps. Just remember to save half of the bacon, pecans, and scallions for the coating!
Step 1: Mix the Cheese and Seasonings
In a medium mixing bowl, add the cream cheese, shredded triple cheddar cheese, everything bagel seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and milk.
Use a hand mixer to combine everything until well mixed.
Step 2: Add the Bacon, Pecans, and Scallions
Add half of the bacon bits, half of the sliced scallions, and half of the chopped pecans to the cheese mixture.
Make sure the pieces are chopped small, then mix them into the cheese.
Save the remaining bacon, pecans, and scallions for the outside of the cheeseball.
Step 3: Shape the Cheeseball
Lay a piece of plastic wrap on the counter and place the cheese mixture in the center.
Wrap it completely, then use the plastic wrap to shape the mixture into a ball.
Step 4: Refrigerate
Place the wrapped cheeseball in the refrigerator for 20 minutes.
Step 5: Prepare the Coating
In a shallow bowl, combine the remaining chopped pecans, bacon bits, and sliced scallions.
Step 6: Coat the Cheeseball
Remove the cheeseball from the refrigerator and carefully unwrap it.
Roll it in the bacon and pecan mixture, gently pressing the coating onto the outside until it’s evenly covered.
Step 7: Serve and Enjoy
Place the finished cheeseball on a serving plate and serve with your favorite crackers or other dippers.
Pecan Bacon Cheeseball
Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 1 cup shredded triple cheddar cheese
- ½ cup bacon bits
- ½ cup chopped pecans
- ¼ cup sliced scallions
- 2 tbsp milk of your choice
- 2 tsp everything bagel seasoning
- ¼ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- Salt to taste
- Black crushed pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a medium-size bowl add the cream cheese, shredded cheddar, all seasoning, and milk. Mix with a hand mixer, until well combined.
- Then add half of the bacon bits, half of the scallions, and half of the pecans. Make sure to chop those in smaller pieces first.
- Put a piece of saran wrap on the counter and put the cheese ball in it. Then fully wrap it up with the saran wrap and form it into a ball.
- Put the cheeseball in the fridge for 20 minutes.
- In a shallow bowl, add the remaining chopped pecans, bacon bits and scallions.
- Remove cheeseball from the fridge.
- Roll the cheeseball around in the prepared shallow bowl and make sure the whole ball is coated with the remaining coating.
- Serve with crackers, or anything else of your choice.
Nutritional information is automatically calculated with ingredients and serving size and may not be accurate. Please always double check with your own nutritional apps as well.
Helpful Tips for Making a Cheeseball
Chop the mix-ins into small pieces. Smaller pieces of pecans, bacon, and scallions are easier to mix into the cheese and help the coating stick more evenly.
Save half for the outside. Don’t add all the bacon, pecans, and scallions to the cheese mixture. You’ll need the remaining half to coat the cheeseball after it chills.
Use plastic wrap to shape the ball. This helps you form the cheeseball without getting the mixture all over your hands.
Serve with a variety of crackers. Offering a few different kinds gives everyone something to choose from.
How to Store Pecan Bacon Cheeseball
Keep the cheeseball covered in the refrigerator at 40°F or colder when you aren’t serving it.
If you’re serving it at a party, don’t leave it sitting at room temperature for more than 2 hours. If the temperature is above 90°F, refrigerate it within 1 hour.
The original recipe doesn’t specify how many days the finished cheeseball can be stored or whether it freezes well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to bake this cheeseball?
No! This is a no-bake appetizer. You simply mix the ingredients, shape the cheeseball, refrigerate it, and add the coating.
What should I serve with a bacon pecan cheeseball?
Crackers are an easy choice. You can also serve it as part of a larger appetizer spread with other snacks.
Do the pecans and bacon all go inside the cheeseball?
No. You’ll mix half of the bacon, pecans, and scallions into the cheese mixture. The remaining half is used to coat the outside after refrigeration.
Can I make the cheeseball ahead of time?
The original recipe includes a 20-minute refrigeration step before coating and serving. It doesn’t provide instructions for making the cheeseball a day or more in advance, so that would need to be verified before recommending it.
More Appetizer Recipes
If you liked this recipe, you’ll love these ones too:
- Bacon Cheeseball Bites
- Olive Garden Cheese Fonduta Recipe
- Layered Taco Dip Appetizer Cups
- Bacon Ranch Cheesy Stuffed Peppers
