Big Family Blessings

Help & Encouragement for Busy Moms

Hot & Spicy Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball

Celebrating with delicious food is what my family does best. Whether it’s a few simple snacks or an all out theme party, we love to plan food for sports events. Sometimes I think my children love to watch sports just because of our snack foods and sports traditions.
College Basketball Snack Party

Now that college basketball is here I thought a basketball theme snack table would be fun.College Basketball snack table

I think our basketball themed snack table got more attention than the game last weekend! With bowls of cheesy crunch and a basketball shaped cheese ball I can see why.Basketball Party

Let me tell you about this Hot & Spicy Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball… ah-mazing! No one could walk away from the deliciousness! It was super easy to make too! (Look for the recipe at the bottom of this post.)Hot & Spicy Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball

For a quick and easy basketball theme snack table- without buying lots of basketball decor I’d only use a few times a year- I stuck to a black, white and orange color scheme with some fun decor from my kids’ craft area.  Basketball Party

Orange and white twine plus a foam basketball sticker made our simple orange drink pop. Basketball Party

Toothpick markers marked with Go Team and symbol for defense dressed up simple bowls of Cheez-It Hot & Spicy Grooves and Cheez-It Srirarcha Snack Mix.Cheez-It snacks

*tip – Large boxes of Cheez-It products are 3 for $8 at Target (until the 1st week of April), so I stocked up for our snack table. With delicious real cheese in Cheez-It Baked Snacks, I knew I better have plenty to go around! Basketball watch party prep

And the star of the party…

Hot & Spicy Bacon Ranch Cheese BallHot & Spicy Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball

Ingredients:Hot & Spicy Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball

  • 2- 8oz blocks of cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 oz packet of ranch dressing mix
  • 1/4 cup crumbled, cooked bacon
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped green onion
  • Cheez-It Hot & Spicy Grooves

Directions:

Using a mixer, whip the softened cream cheese with cheddar cheese.Hot & Spicy Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball

Mix in ranch seasoning, crumbled bacon, and green onion.Hot & Spicy Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball

Roll the cream cheese mixture into a ball shape.

*tip – Spray your hands with cooking spray, for easier rolling with less cream cheese left on your hands.

Finely rush about a cup of Cheez-It Hot & Spicy Grooves.Hot & Spicy Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball

Pour the crushed Cheez-It Hot & Spicy Grooves on a plate, and roll the cheese ball in the crushed crackers until well coated.Hot & Spicy Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball

Place the cheese ball on a serving tray, then use string licorice to create basketball lines.Hot & Spicy Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball

*tip – make a plain clear serving tray pop by folding a fat quarter of fabric to fit the size of the tray. Simply set the tray on top of the fabric and fill it with food. As the tray empties, your party table will continue to pop with theme color and pattern!Hot & Spicy Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball Hot & Spicy Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball

Surround the cheese ball with your favorite crackers and serve!Hot & Spicy Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball

Stop by Target for a great deal on Cheez-It crackers for your basketball watching party! You’ll find the Cheez-It crackers in the Signal the Seasons Savor Spot section or near the checkout line.

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #HoopsWithCrunch #CollectiveBias

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. I love cheese balls, and this one sounds so yummy! It's absolutely adorable too! I think my littles would really get a kick out of it.
    Reply

  5. Oh yum! Cheeseballs are pretty popular when I host anyways, but bacon makes this one even better.
    Reply

  6. Thanks so much for sharing! I usually don't do any sports themed foods/snacks. But with your step by step pics and recipe for the cheese ball I think I will give it a try!
    Reply

  8. I love cheese ball recipes! I'll leave out the bacon because I'm a vegetarian, but I'm totally making this next time my stepson is around.
    Reply

  20. I am up for anything that has cheese in it and is spicy! This looks so good and I love that you designed it to look like a little basketball, that's so adorable!
    Reply

  28. I love this idea! You really went all out with the theme - perfect for March Madness :) I am totally borrowing your idea of using a colorful piece of fabric to place under a clear tray for a pop of color!
    Reply

  30. The combination of cheese, the ranch dressing, some bacon, and Cheez It totally makes this recipe rock. It's easy-to-prepare and I just know that this is delish.
    Reply

  36. What a fun theme to prepare and it is no secret that we also love cookies! I will definitely consider this basketball theme for our next son's birthday. Thanks for sharing!
    Reply

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