Football Cheese Ball
This delicious Football Cheese Ball is quick and easy make ahead appetizer, packed with cream cheese, bacon, chicken, pecans and more. It is made with minimal hands on time and a perfect crowd feeding, football shaped dip for Super Bowl, game day tailgate, holidays and any family gathering.
Suitable for gluten free diets.
Guys, this awesome football cheese ball is my go-to for football gatherings. I mean it is simple, super quick and easy to make, looks impressive on the table, and full of all the flavor friends.
This bacon ranch cheese ball party appetizer is made with every day ingredients aka creamy cheese, ranch seasoning, crispy bacon and with delicious chicken. Then I shape this into a football, coat it with pecans, topped with football laces and bada bing – my game day snack is ready.
Ps I love it as much as this cranberry pecan cheese ball and this awesome pizza dip.
Table of Contents
Easy Game Day Cheese Ball
I love that this football shaped cheese ball dip doesn’t require any gourmet skills, it can be made ahead and refrigerated till needed. It is the perfect crowd pleasing appetizer to pull out for Super Bowl, tailgating, football parties, potlucks, picnics, and birthday parties. To be honest I make this whenever, all year long.
And by the way, serving this over warm pasta and mixing all that melty cheese in, the best pasta dinner EVER.
Ingredient Notes
- Cream cheese – Full fat cream cheese provides a creamy texture and tangy flavor. Lighten it with low fat cream cheese.
- Shredded chicken breast – This is ideal for using up leftover chicken or rotisserie chicken. Or you can get some from the store.
- Shredded cheddar cheese – I tend to prefer sharp cheddar cheese as it cuts through the cream cheese flavor and I use either freshly grated or pre-packaged grated cheese.
- Mayonnaise – Mayo adds moisture and richness to the cheese ball, enhancing its creamy texture.
- Ranch dressing mix – Feel free to use store-bought or homemade version of this herby mix.
- Bacon bits – To make life easy I use store-bought, but you can cook your own and and crumble it.
- Pecan nuts – This is used to coat the cheese-shaped football.
- Cheese slices – Mozzarella slices or white cheddar slices make great laces.
Handy Tip: Use Good Kitchen Tools!
For the best tools to help make your recipe even easier and more successful, check out my collection of the Best Kitchen Tools on Amazon.
How To Make It
Get the complete ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card below.
Step 1 – Mix cream cheese, chicken breast, cheddar cheese, ranch dressing, and bacon bits in a large bowl using a wooden spoon until smooth. Cover and allow to chill for one hour in the refrigerator.
Step 2 – Cut and place a piece of plastic wrap on the counter and transfer the chilled cream cheese mixture to the center of the plastic wrap. Close up the edges and first form it into a ball shape and then a football shape. Put the wrapped ball in the fridge for about 2 hours.
Step 3 – Chop the pecans and spread them on a large platter. Remove the cream cheese ball from the refrigerator, take off the plastic wrap, and working quickly and carefully so the shape is maintained, roll the ball in the chopped pecan to coat all sides.
Step 4 – Cut the cheese slices into football laces for the center and the end. Place the longer slice horizontally along the center of the football, and decorate with the small slices horizontally on top. Serve with your favorite dippers.
Bintu’s Tips
- Soften the cream cheese to room temperature before mixing. This will help it blend smoothly with the other ingredients.
- Make sure the chicken and cheese are finely shredded so they mix in well with the rest of the ingredients so every mouthful is flavor-packed.
- You can mix in the ingredients with a wooden spoon, hand mixer or stand mixer.
- Chill the cheese ball in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving. That way it keeps firm.
- Make sure to gently press the chopped pecans into the surface of the football to ensure they stick.
Variations
- Make it spicier – with some diced jalapeños, adobo, buffalo sauce or red pepper flakes.
- Add a Southwest flair – By mixing in some corn, black beans, diced bell peppers, and a a bit of taco seasoning.
Prep and storage
- Prep ahead – Make sure you have enough time for the cream cheese to come to room temperature and enough time for the finished cheese ball to chill before serving.
- Store – Place the cheese ball in an airtight container or wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. Refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freeze – Wrap tightly and freeze without the coating parts for up to 1 month. Thaw in overnight in the refrigerator and add on the coating before serving.
FAQs
Cheese balls are made from a blend of creamy cream cheese, shredded chicken breast, sharp cheddar cheese, and savory ranch dressing mix. Bacon bits add a smoky crunch, and it’s all rolled in chopped pecans for a deliciously nutty finish. There are however different variations.
Cheese balls can last up to 3 days when stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container. For the best flavor and texture, consume them within this time frame.
Yes, you can freeze a cheese ball without the coating. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then place it in a freezer-safe bag or container. It can be frozen for up to 1 month. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving.
Similar Recipes
Looking for more EASY, delicious, and flavorful dishes like this one? Try these popular recipes;
- Pizza dip recipe.
- Veggie pinwheels.
- Italian pinwheels.
- Cranberry pecan cheese ball
- Air fryer baked feta cheese.
- Dill pickle pinwheels.
Serve With:
- Pair it with various crackers or slices of baguette, and crunchy veggies for a vibrant presentation, similar to this spring vegetable platter or this mezze platter.
- Pita chips or pretzels if you like added crunch.
- No crackers? Here’s a solution! Serve with homemade Air fryer tortilla chips. So simple to make with just two ingredients.
Recommended Tools
- A large mixing bowl to make sure you combine all those fillings together nicely.
- A good skillet if you want to roast those pecans.
- Handy measuring cups and spoons for accurate measuring.
- For the best tools to help make your recipe even easier and more successful, check out my collection of the Best Kitchen Tools on Amazon.
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Football Cheese ball
Ingredients
- 16 pounds 2 cream cheese packages 16 oz cream cheese (16 oz)
- 1 cup (140g) shredded chicken breast finely
- ½ cup (117g) shredded cheddar cheese finely
- ½ cup (114g) mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons ranch salad dressing mix
- ¼ cup (60g) bacon bits
- 1 cup (100 g) chopped pecans to coat
- 2 slices mozarella or white cheddar cheese use more if you like
Instructions
- Mix cream cheese, chicken breast, cheddar cheese, ranch dressing, and bacon bits in a large bowl using a wooden spoon until smooth. Cover and allow to chill for one hour in the refrigerator.
- Cut and place a piece of plastic wrap on the counter and transfer the chilled cream cheese mixture to the center of the plastic wrap. Close up the edges and first form it into a ball shape and the a football shape. Put the wrapped ball in the fridge for about 2 hours hours.
- Chop the pecans and spread them on a large platter. Remove the cream cheese ball from the refrigerator, take off the plastic wrap, and working quickly and carefully so the shape is maintained, roll the ball in the chopped pecan to coat all sides.
- Cut the cheese slices into football laces for the centre and the end. Place the longer slice horizontally along the center of the football, and decorate with the small slices horizontally on top.
- Serve with your favorite dippers.
Notes
- Make sure the cream cheese is softened to room temperature before mixing. This will help it blend smoothly with the other ingredients.
- Make sure the chicken and cheese are finely shredded so they mix in well with the rest of the ingredients so every mouthful is flavor packed.
- You can mix in the ingredients with a wooden spoon, hand mixer or stand mixer.
- Make sure to let cheese ball to chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving. That way it keeps firm..
- Make sure to gently press the chopped pecans into the surface of the football to ensure they sticks.
- Store – Place the cheese ball in an airtight container or wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. Refrigerator for up to 3 days.
