Creamy Everything Bagel Cheese Ball Recipe with Crispy Bacon Bits
A creamy, tangy cheese ball coated with everything bagel seasoning and crispy bacon bits, perfect for parties and casual snacking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 50 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup (120 ml) sour cream
- 1 cup (100 g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 3 tablespoons everything bagel seasoning
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 2 tablespoons green onions, finely chopped
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Optional: 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill or parsley
Instructions
- Cook and crumble the bacon: Fry 6 slices of bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy, about 8-10 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain, then crumble into small, crunchy bits.
- Mix the cream cheese and sour cream: In a large bowl, beat 8 oz softened cream cheese and ½ cup sour cream with a hand mixer until smooth and creamy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add shredded cheddar and seasonings: Stir in 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, and 2 tablespoons finely chopped green onions. Mix until evenly combined.
- Shape the cheese ball: Lay out a piece of plastic wrap roughly 12 inches square on your counter. Spoon the cheese mixture onto the center and wrap tightly, shaping into a rough ball with your hands. Twist the ends to seal.
- Chill the cheese ball: Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight, to let the flavors meld and the texture firm up.
- Coat with everything bagel seasoning and bacon bits: On a plate, mix 3 tablespoons everything bagel seasoning with the crumbled bacon bits. Unwrap the cheese ball and roll it in the mixture, pressing gently so the coating sticks well.
- Final chill and serve: Place the coated cheese ball on a serving platter and chill for 30 minutes before serving to let the coating set. Serve with crunchy crackers, fresh veggies, or toasted pita chips.
Notes
Use softened cream cheese for smooth mixing. Cook bacon until crispy for best texture. Chill cheese ball sufficiently to firm up before coating and serving. For a dairy-free version, substitute cream cheese and sour cream with plant-based alternatives. Check everything bagel seasoning for gluten if needed. Can be made ahead and tastes better after chilling overnight. Freeze wrapped for up to 2 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 1/8 of
- Calories: 210
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 18
- Carbohydrates: 2
- Fiber: 0.5
- Protein: 8
Keywords: cheese ball, everything bagel seasoning, bacon bits, party snack, appetizer, creamy cheese ball, easy cheese ball recipe