A little salty, a little savory, lots of French onion flavor. This French Onion Cheeseball is always the first to disappear at parties!Â
French Onion Cheeseball
A properly made cheese ball may just be the perfect appetizer. Easy to transport and offers a variety of dipping options, a good cheese ball can be served for any occasion. Game days? You got it. Holidays? Of course. Shower or reception? Absolutely. Step up your cheese ball game with a new twist on the timeless with this French onion version. It’s super simple to make with just a handful of ingredients. So easy yet delicious, you may want to make two with how quickly it’ll be gone! Serve this party food with your favorite crackers, pretzels, crusty bread, or even an assortment of veggies. Really anything that can be used as a vessel to get the cheese in your mouth. It’s so good you’ll want to eat it on its own!
Check out more grab them before they’re gone appetizers like these Crockpot BBQ Little Smokies or classic crowd pleasing Jalapeno Poppers!
Can other cheeses be used besides cheddar?
Totally! If you want to mix things up and go even more French with the French onion flavors, try some shredded gruyere like you would find in traditional french onion soup. I wouldn’t recommend a spicy cheese like monterey jack or any kind of Mexican or Italian blend. A white cheddar would work well. Maybe a swill or a provolone as well.
How To Make French Onion Cheeseball
- Whip. Use an electric mixer and a deep bowl to whip the softened cream cheese until smooth. You could just use a spoon as well just make sure the cream cheese has softened.
- Beat. Add in the Cajun seasoning and garlic powder and beat until incorporated.
- Fold. Gently fold in about half of the crumbled bacon, half the cheddar cheese, ¾ of the crispy onions, and all of the green onions. Mix until combined.Â
- Shape. Use your hands to shape the mixture into a ball as best you can.
- Mix. In a small bowl, mix the remaining bacon and crispy onions together.
- Prep. Lay out a sheet of plastic wrap. Sprinkle half of the bacon onion mixture out onto the plastic.
- Roll. Gently roll the cheeseball over the bacon onion mixture, pressing in the crunchy pieces as you go. Repeat until the surface of the cheeseball is fully covered and there are no blank spots.
- Wrap. Wrap the cheeseball in the plastic wrap. Cover with an extra layer if you need in order to help keep the shape.
- Chill. Place the cheeseball in a similar sized bow so it doesn’t spread and chill in the refrigerator for about 1-2 hours, until it has set.
- Serve. When ready to serve, unwrap the cheeseball and place on a tray with crackers, pretzels, or veggies. Enjoy!
Storing French Onion Cheeseball
This cheeseball can be stored in an airtight container or wrapped in plastic wrap in the fridge for up to 5 days. This is a great make ahead recipe!
Ingredients Notes for French Onion Cheeseball
- Cream Cheese – Go for the full fat for the richest flavor. Soften before mixing to save yourself the workout.
- Cajun Seasoning – This doesn’t make it spicy, but it does add some bold flavor.
- Garlic Powder – Gotta have garlic to add to that savory flavor profile. Add more if you want a more pronounced garlicky flavor.Â
- Bacon – Cooked and crumbled. The only true prep work in this recipe.
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese – Fresh off the block will give you the very best texture and flavor.Â
- Fried Onions – About a cup of the crispy fried onions. This is probably my favorite ingredient that makes this cheese ball recipe a step above the rest!Â
- Green Onions – Finely diced. These really give that classic onion flavor and bring color to the cheeseball.Â
Enjoy!
~Nichole
French Onion Cheeseball
Ingredients
- 16 Ounces Cream cheese softened
- 1/2 tsp Cajun seasoning
- 1/2 tsp Garlic powder
- 6 Slices Bacon cooked and crumbled
- 1 Cup Shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 Cup Crispy French-fried onions crushed, divided
- 2 Green onions finely diced
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, whip the cream cheese with an electric mixer or spoon until smooth.
- Beat the Cajun seasoning and garlic powder into the cream cheese until well incorporated.
- Fold half of the bacon, cheddar cheese, 3/4 of the onions, and green onions into the cream cheese.
- Shape the mixture into a ball as best as possible.
- In a shallow dish, mix the remaining crumbled bacon with the remaining crushed French-fried onions.
- Lay a sheet of plastic wrap on a countertop or flat surface then sprinkle half of the bacon and onions on the wrap.
- Turn the cheese ball out on top of the onions and bacon and gently press the rest of the onions and bacon onto the cheeseball.
- Gently roll the ball around to cover any missed spots and press the bacon and onion onto the cheeseball.
- Wrap the cheeseball with the plastic wrap and if needed, cover the cheeseball with another sheet of plastic wrap.
- Place the ball into a similarly sized bowl to keep the shape of the ball then refrigerate for 1-2 hours or until set.
- Unwrap the cheeseball and place it on a serving board with crostini, crackers, and any vegetables you like.
Video
Notes
This French onion cheeseball can be stored wrapped tightly with plastic wrap in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
