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Perfect Loaded Football Cheese Ball: Easy Game Day Appetizer

loaded football cheese ball - featured image
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This loaded football-shaped cheese ball with crispy bacon, sharp cheddar, and toasted pecans is the ultimate game day appetizer. It’s creamy, flavorful, and guaranteed to disappear before halftime.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
  • 1/2 cup pecans, toasted and chopped
  • 1/4 cup green onions, thinly sliced
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1/3 cup pecans, finely chopped (for coating)
  • 2 tablespoons cream cheese, softened (for laces)
  • Optional: Fresh parsley or chives for grass

Instructions

  1. Take cream cheese out of fridge at least 1 hour before starting to soften. Cook bacon until crispy, let cool, then crumble. Toast pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden; let cool completely. Slice green onions and pat dry.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, beat softened cream cheese with an electric mixer on medium speed for about 2 minutes until light, fluffy, and smooth. Scrape down sides halfway through.
  3. Add shredded cheddar, crumbled bacon, toasted chopped pecans, green onions, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and a pinch of black pepper. Mix on low speed just until combined. Do not overmix.
  4. Taste the mixture and adjust seasoning if needed (more salt, pepper, or Worcestershire).
  5. Scoop mixture onto a large piece of plastic wrap. Use the wrap to shape into a rough ball, then form into a football shape (oval with slightly pointed ends). Wrap tightly and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
  6. After chilling, unwrap the cheese ball and set on a clean piece of plastic wrap. Press finely chopped pecans evenly onto the surface, covering all but where laces will go. Use the plastic wrap to help press pecans in without touching the cheese too much.
  7. Place 2 tablespoons softened cream cheese in a small piping bag or zip-top bag with a tiny corner snipped off. Pipe two straight lines down the center of the football about 1 inch apart, then pipe small cross-lines between them to create laces.
  8. Refrigerate decorated cheese ball for another 30 minutes to set laces. Serve on a board with crackers, pretzels, crostini, and veggie sticks. Optionally, arrange fresh parsley or chives around the base for grass.

Notes

For best texture, let cream cheese soften fully. Toast pecans for crunch. Make ahead: prepare cheese mixture and shape into football up to 3 days in advance; add coating and laces on serving day. Let cheese ball sit at room temperature for 20 minutes before serving for easier scooping. Store leftovers wrapped in plastic wrap in fridge for up to 5 days. Freeze undecorated cheese ball for up to 1 month.

Nutrition

Keywords: football cheese ball, game day appetizer, loaded cheese ball, bacon cheddar cheese ball, football shaped cheese ball, easy appetizer, party food

Find it online: https://evabake.com/perfect-loaded-football-cheese-ball-easy-game-day-appetizer/